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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To let 7 year old walk to and from school alone?

339 replies

RLE2 · 18/03/2019 08:26

DS is in year 3, we live about a 10 minute walk away from the school. We live in a quiet area, he won't be near any busy roads, the only roads he has to cross is our road and the school road. The school road isn't too busy as it's only people going to the school using it and our road is empty apart from neighbours. Is 7 too young? It's not unheard of for year 3's to walk by themselves at his school but most still walk with a parent, a few don't

OP posts:
OytheBumbler · 18/03/2019 08:29

Your call. I wouldn't.

LittleCandle · 18/03/2019 08:29

My kids were walking to school in primary 1, so no, of course its okay to let your child walk to school. It is good for children to learn independence a lot earlier than most people do these days.

NorthernBirdAtHeart · 18/03/2019 08:29

Will the school allow it? Our school doesn’t allow kids to leave without an adult until they’re in yr5.
You know your child and area best, but I wouldn’t.

CarpeVitam · 18/03/2019 08:30

Eerm, no, he's far too young! Confused

isabellerossignol · 18/03/2019 08:31

Will the school allow it?

How would the school know? It's not like pick up where they're being handed over to whoever is collecting them.

Dramatical · 18/03/2019 08:31

It is good for children to learn independence a lot earlier than most people do these days.

How bizarre to think that teaching independence means sending your kids to walk to school alone from primary 1 Confused

That's not how it works.

Enidblyton1 · 18/03/2019 08:31

I wouldn’t. My year 3 child doesn’t have enough road sense so I wouldn’t yet trust her to always make the right decision about when to cross.

Buddyelf · 18/03/2019 08:32

I have 7 year old in year 3 and no I wouldn’t let her walk to school on her own. Shes a well behaved, mature and sensible 7 year old but she’s still a 7 year old. No way I’m afraid.

ShatnersWig · 18/03/2019 08:32

I certainly did at that age.

MiddleClassProblem · 18/03/2019 08:32

Is there a friend he can walk with or me part way?

GruciusMalfoy · 18/03/2019 08:32

Walking alone or with a group including older children? I wouldn't allow it on their own, I'd consider it if there was an older child or two there.

MiddleClassProblem · 18/03/2019 08:32

Meet...

Nanny0gg · 18/03/2019 08:34

Children aren't considered road aware till they're 7. Has yours reached that stage?
Is it such a problem to take them yourself? I think it's sad to miss that time.

Wishiwasincornwall · 18/03/2019 08:38

I would have let my daughter walk at that age no problems. With my son there is no chance I would have allowed it. Don't base it on what others do, base it on your knowledge of your own child.

CielBleuEtNuages · 18/03/2019 08:39

I know a little boy who does this, despite having an older sister at the same school and a younger brother at the same school who is dropped off by his parents.... I can only assume it's because he wants to go by himself (and they live 3 minutes from the school - he just joins the throngs of parents and children walking to school).

I'm in 2 minds. 10 minutes is a long walk by himself.

Does he want to is the first question. If he's not keen then definitely not.

Could you wait until next September? You could use these next few months to let him walk ahead of you so you can check he really is road safe.

DamonSalvatoresDinner · 18/03/2019 08:43

I think it's completely child and area dependent so only you can make that call. Here in our village it's quite normal for fairly young kids to walk to school with friends or siblings or even on their own depending on the distance. Where I used to live it would be a preposterous thought, school would not allow it and there would be serious questions asked. Here would be totally expected.

blueskiesovertheforest · 18/03/2019 08:51

All the kids do where I live (abroad) including my own 7 year old (actually he walks to the bus stop and catches a bus 3 miles to school).

It's area dependent because the logistics need to be right - you've got a safe route, so that's covered. I'd want other known children walking to school too, not a quiet as in desolate, nobody around route. Here from 6:30am all the residential areas are busy with children and teens on their way to school, mostly in pairs or groups.

It's child dependent to a degree but given the above most NT children can be ready. In areas where people believe they aren't ready parents don't prepare them. Not being ready is just a self fulfilling prophecy unless there are relevant special needs.

Pinkyyy · 18/03/2019 08:52

I couldn't, far too young in my opinion. Are you around in the mornings and at pick up time? What's your reason for wanting him to go alone?

flumpybear · 18/03/2019 08:53

Not a chance for me, it only takes one weirdo to notice he's a little child on his own, watch him for a bit and potentially harm him - IMO it's not worth the risk besides which what parent would allow a poor little teeny child walk alone

JudgeRindersMinder · 18/03/2019 08:53

Mine were walking to and from school from the end of P2, so they were just turning 7, and it sounds like your journey is similar to theirs. Only you know your child and the journey though.

ShatnersWig · 18/03/2019 08:57

@flumpybear Statistically, your child is less likely to be snatched now than they were 30, 40, 50 years ago - when there was a much smaller population. But yes, it's up to parents to judge their own child, the risks etc

Catscratchclub · 18/03/2019 09:02

God I know everyone’s situations different but I can’t help thinking how sad it is! My Ds is 7, and I love the school run time we have together. He’s still knackered sometimes, will chat to me about his day (or ‘can’t remember’ what happened equally to be fair, you can’t win them all!)

Why are you in such a hurry for them to grow up?! I’m all for promoting independence but this seems too much too soon for me.

PhalangeReginaPhalange · 18/03/2019 09:05

Seems ok to me but each to their own. Maybe watch them until out of sight (with the occasional embarrassing wave from the gate) then it’s a shorter walk by themselves iyswim

WeepingWillowWeepingWino · 18/03/2019 09:06

Does he want to?

Not allowed in our school until year 5, and I think it would be noticed and a teacher told.

formerbabe · 18/03/2019 09:07

Way too young?

Why do you want to do this?

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