Why do people drive their kids to school??

[brightonbaker]

Every day My oldest DD 11 walks to school, she is at secondary school and it is about 8minutes walk away. There is one road to cross. I walk my younger DD 8 to school, her school is the same distance. I then get home and go to work, I'm lucky I can start at 9:30.
I think it is good for them to walk to school as it is a good start to the day, exercise, fresh air etc.
I have two neighbours with older DDs about 13 and 14 who I am quite sure have never walked to school, ever. So they leave about the same time as us and get back about the same time as its only 8 minutes walk and by the time they have found somewhere to park** illegally it takes the same amount of time. So why? Why are they doing this? one of the parents does not work so no need to rush and I'm not sure what the other one does.
Really gets on my nerves so thought I'd see if there are some legitimate reasons why people drive to a very local school ?

Why does it bother you so much? It's a non issue.

traffic, obesity rates. it's an issue.

I understand dropping off on the way to work, but I'd encourage children to walk.

personally because of back issues for me. now they are older they walk by themselves, but i couldn't do it myself.

You arrived at the school gates in a limousine Computer? That's just taking the piss .
At least you're honest about your reasons I suppose.

My mum tells me that when I was in school the other parents thought she was cruel because I walked every day, rain or shine, sometimes I'd be offered lifts home I reckon mum did the best thing for me by making me walk.

And in turn, I make DD walk too. It should be a half hour walk but can take her up to an hour because she dawdles but she does it every day, rain or shine and she hasn't learnt to complain about it yet as there's no other option (I don't drive and OH usually goes to work long before school starts)

It's a non issue.

It's really not a non-issue - all the parents driving their children to school make it more dangerous for child & adult pedestrians around a school.

So it should only be done if it's absolutely necessary, and walking or public transport aren't practical options.

I think it's easy for people to make judgements and assumptions about other people, but as a general rule I agree that if it's possible, parents should encourage children to walk to school. I see such inconsiderate parking around schools that emergency vehicles wouldn't be able to drive through certain roads.

That said, a woman has been bloody rude 'let off steam' at me for driving 6yo ds to school before now rather than walking. I replied simply that he'd struggle to walk 10 miles. Which is why people should keep their opinions to themselves without knowing someone else's circumstances.

My teens get driven to and from school every day. However, it's 8 miles, it includes a 60mph country road and negotiating a roundabout between a v busy dual carriageway A road and a motorway with no cycling lane. Thre is no bus route that doesn't involve either a 2.5mile walk to the bus and then a mile after and also means arriving 45 minutes early or one with less walk that arrives an hour late. So there we are. If they went to a more local school then they could walk.

Agree that its not a non-issue - the less cars on the road, the better. Parents are strongly discouraged from driving their children at DD's school and walking alone is allowed for all (school doesn't start until 5/6 though - no 4 year olds walking alone!)

Some people have hidden disabilities. I'd love to walk my dd. She gets so excited if I occasionally walk to pick her up because she knows I'm having a good day. If I couldn't drive, I don't know how dd would go to school. It's a 15 min walk away.

evil I live in Spain and am really interested. ALL the parents drive the children of nearly all ages .

We only live 10 mins, one small road to cross, away. I am wondering when DD can do it herself. She is nearly 10. As I said earlier, I get pitying glances, almost like I am abusing my child, forcing her to walk with a backpack It is strange here.

My friend in London said 10 is normal solo?.

All those going on about 'I live 11 miles away, my DC's have special needs, there is no pavement, I am on my way to work etc' I don't think the OP meant you!

What age is yr 6?

We live a little way from school, but we walk every morning. I can’t actually drive, so don’t really have a choice. But I’m glad of that. The walk is about half hour. I get a lot ‘I can’t believe you walk!’ And ‘oh you’re so good!’ But I just think it’s normal. I used to walk to school, probably about the same time walking, maybe longer. We do get a lift home most days as my friend lives near me, but my son is only 6, so he gets a bit tired at the end of the day. Due baby 2 soon, so won’t be getting any lifts at all. And I’m kinda glad. The walk is lovely, and I enjoy the time chatting to my son about his day, plus I know he is getting a good amount of exercise regularly. Same with me too!

Why pick only on school runs though?
I never see the same outrage at people driving to the corner shop.
I mostly walk my DC, if I've work or an appointment or if I'm just feeling a bit shit then I'll drive, because I own a car.... And no one has the right to tell me when and where I can drive it

10 seems to be the age when kids start walking or getting the bus to school on their own here.

My dds school is a 10 minutes walk. I usually drive because I’m going somewhere after, or taking the dog to park across the road from her school. My dog is an old boy and a bit temperamental around large crowds/being petted too much so I don’t like to tie him up outside her school with all the little kids there. He loves to bark a lot too!

I try to walk whenever possible even if she has a hissy fit because she wants to take the car😒

10 - 11 danTDM

I drive my kids to school because it's too far to walk (DS1 didn't get into the only school within walking distance of our house).

But there are parents who live within walking distance and still drive. Some are driving on their way to / from work. But some are driving because their DC don't like walking or stop to look at flowers too often. And there's always more parents driving when it rains.

I'm lucky I can start at 9:30.

When you typed this did it not give you a clue?

Of course some parents have perfectly valid reasons

If you have 2 kids in 2 different primary schools at the other side of town, and it does happen, no one expects you to sprint with the children on your back to arrive on time.
Most parents however do not have a valid reason, and they are the ones who are just lazy.

no one has the right to tell me when and where I can drive it

No one is telling you that you can't drive it, just pointing out that you are part of the problem endangering the children (unless you park a few streets away from the school? I suspect you are not). I am just saying that I find you lazy, irresponsible and a bad example.
Schools have to send multiple reminders to the parents about atrocious parking all over the country, it is a real issue.

No one has the right to tell me what I can think about them

@ILostItInTheEarlyNineties

thank you. I try to be honest.

My helicopter was playing up, otherwise I'd have taken that

At one school when ds1&2 were in juniors, I drove them to school up a lane. The drive took about 1minute. To walk, about 5minutes. However, there was no pavements up the lane and lots of bends and tall hedging. The school was at the other end of this lane from its catchment. Almost everyone drove. Madness but necessary madness in my view.

My 12 year old ds would need 30 mins. to walk. He does of course walk home. Good exercise.

He struggles to get up in the mornings so would never get there in time!

DD struggles to get up in time too (I swear she has the sleep habits of a teenager at just 6!) so I keep at her until she gets up so she can be out of the house on time to walk.

I have no idea why people drive if walking is an option, but really it is just up to the individual. My DD walks about 20minutes to school, I think I have only ever dropped her off once in 4 years, even when it is raining - but on the whole I leave the house before she does.

When my DH was a sahp he walked the kids too and from primary, but now we both work even though it is only a 10 minute walk away I just wouldn't have time to get there and back and then to work on time.

Thanks evil