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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think a 37minute school run is ok?

161 replies

jultomten · 14/02/2017 18:48

We are house hunting and I have found two houses I like with a 37min walking distance to the school we want. One of the things I was really looking forward too with the move was to be able to walk the kids to school instead of driving like I have to do now. But is 37 minutes too long to walk twice a day? Am I just going to end up driving?
If iabu how long is the longest walking distance you would consider doing?

OP posts:
Bubblysqueak · 14/02/2017 18:49

If you are that far away will your dc even get in? Is there a closer one.

VanillaSugar · 14/02/2017 18:50

Are you going to walk back again? Can you drive in case it's pouring down with rain in November when it's dark?

formerbabe · 14/02/2017 18:50

That does sound quite long. I'd probably end up driving as I find, especially in the mornings, time is at a premium!

HarryTheHippo · 14/02/2017 18:50

There'd be closer schools here.

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 14/02/2017 18:50

How old are the DC?
I'd drive for a 20 minute walk - every day, twice a day!

VanillaSugar · 14/02/2017 18:50

How old are the kids?

Nyancat · 14/02/2017 18:50

If DC's walk ours is roughly about this and it's totally fine. I think the walk is good for them. DD is 5 and can do it no bother, DS is 2 and can walk a fair bit of it now but mostly in the pram if we are pushed for time. With a scooter or bike it's dead easy.

jultomten · 14/02/2017 18:51

It's a private school, I just haven't found a house we really like closer at the moment.

OP posts:
jultomten · 14/02/2017 18:52

Kids are 8,5&3

OP posts:
lalalalyra · 14/02/2017 18:52

If you are dropping off and picking up then you'll be walking 2 hours+ a day by the time you drop off, get home etc. Do you have time for that in the day?

Also as the pp said - will they get in at that distance?

StarsAndStripes17 · 14/02/2017 18:52

I do a 30 minute school run (walking) and the kids aren't affected by it. I don't think 37 minutes twice a day is bad either.

Starlight2345 · 14/02/2017 18:52

If its just you like...Is it catchment? What ages are your children as schools can change a lot anyway in a few years.

We have about 25 minute walk. I think it helps my DS settle at school.

Miloarmadillo1 · 14/02/2017 18:52

Will you have any chance of getting in to the school you want if you are that far away? How old are the children? I can't see many 5 yr olds walking 80 mins a day. Is that an adult's 37mins or a stroppy primary age kid dragging their feet?
We walk 10-15 minutes. I will have been doing it 14 yrs by the time my youngest finishes primary. My legs are worn to stumps!

ErrolTheDragon · 14/02/2017 18:52

Depends how old the kids are, and if that rather precise 37 mins is a theoretical time for an adult or a realistic time for whatever age they are.

RainbowsAndUnicorn · 14/02/2017 18:52

It would be too far for me, unpleasant in bad weather and they end up taking lots to school with instruments etc.

FeliciaJollygoodfellow · 14/02/2017 18:54

Well I wouldn't.

DrinkFeckArseGirls · 14/02/2017 18:54

It's not twice a day though, it's 4 times a day.

Chocolatecake12 · 14/02/2017 18:55

It would be too far to do it every day.
Ok for a couple of times a week or every afternoon when you're not rushed.
Do you have a car you can do the school run if necessary.

Tomorrowillbeachicken · 14/02/2017 18:55

Our walk is about half an hour. Was fine even in nursery

Nzou1050 · 14/02/2017 18:56

Is it 37 mins at adult or child's pace? I walk 20 mins to preschool plus 20 mins back so 40 min round trip which is okay but I wouldn't want to do more than that. DS is on buggy board atm but imagine the time taken to walk there will double when he first starts doing it!

Eevee77 · 14/02/2017 18:56

What, so 37 mins in all or 37 mins there and back? It it's the latter then that's fine. But I wouldn't be happy with 37 mins then and the 37 mins back.

Tomorrowillbeachicken · 14/02/2017 18:57

Ours is uphill too but 30 mins his pace

jazzmin · 14/02/2017 18:57

Could you cycle? My two are at private school and I would have to drive on a Monday and Friday, 4 instruments there and back, massive games kits, hockey sticks, cricket bags, tennis racquets..... as it is, we have to drive anyway, 16 miles away. Food for thought,.

BertPuttocks · 14/02/2017 18:57

I've done 30min walks to/from school. By the time you've gone there and back twice, it's a fair chunk of the day gone.

You also need to be prepared for all weathers if you're in the UK.

jultomten · 14/02/2017 18:58

The time is what the travel planner says so I guess it's for an adults speed? It's 1.2 miles.

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