Walking 2 miles to school age 9 & 11

[JulietteLeGall]

Is this reasonable ? I’m out of catchment and too far to walk so this isn’t an option for us but my brother has said that his boys have started walking in. Crossing a major, very busy, roundabout (albeit very well set up for pedestrians) then one long road with lots of side roads to cross. I feel like this is too much and am a bit worried but I’m not in a town so don’t know what is normal.

This seems fine to me, my kids have always done lots of walking so would find 4 miles a day a breeze and they know road safety so after walking the route with them and making sure they knew where they were going I would be fine with this.

Same here. We walk everywhere, including the 5 year old!

The actual 2 mile walk would be fine. I'm not sure about them doing it independently if there's a busy road. Logically it would probably be fine and the 11 year old will presumably be in secondary soon anyway travelling alone. Is the nine year old mature? Do they have good road sense?

The schools are next to each other so they are together the whole way, but they bicker a lot and I can imagine the oldest leaving the younger (who is the youngest of 4 and a complete rascal!)

Too dangerous for a 9 year old.
Distance is not an issue.
The fact they bicker and older one might just walk off is not good. They wont be looking out for each other and might even distract or shove each other if that naughty.

If they’re mum is home she’ll walk them across the roundabout but it’s the side roads I worry about.

My 11 yo walks this far (with friends) but I can't imagine many 9yos having the maturity/road awareness to do it safely.

The distance isn't a problem at all. When dd started school at 4, we walked a mile, caught a bus and then walked another 2 miles. She did this for 5 years until we moved closer. It made her pretty hardy.

9 is a bit young (schools here don't allow children in years 5 or below to arrive or leave alone) and the 11 year old probably shouldn't have sole responsibility if their relationship is fraught.

I don’t think this is practical at all. A 30-40 minute walk each way all through the winter, or pouring rain, or very hot days in the summer. But it’s your brother’s problem really, not yours, right?

I'd have hated that as a child. I genuinely don't understand parents who airily dismiss long walks and commutes to school as fine. It's no fun arriving tired, cold, wet etc. I just don't see how that's conducive to alert learning, especially in younger children.

I actually think that is a long walk especially for a 9 year old after school when they’re tired .
I used to have to walk just over a mile and I was always exhausted and busting for the toilet once I got home .
I wasn’t an unhealthy kid before anyone says so .

If there are pedestrian crossings it's fine.

No I don't think it is appropriate for a 9 year old and they don't sound particularly responsible from the small amount of info given. All dc are so different. My middle child could have easily managed this at that age but my 9 yr old is really not mature enough imo.

I think it is reasonable. I just wish those who go half a mile in their Chelsea Tractors instead of walking with their children thought the same as you.

I think it depends on how road aware they are and how well they use crossings and cross without a crossing

I’d expect both children to be fully trained up on staying safe on route.

The 9 year old I wouldn’t trust on his own. Both children together could work if they are responsible.

Too young to walk alone for that length. I love walking but hated the school walk as you arrive sweaty/wet/cold depending on weather and then after a full school day tiredness kicks in and it’s not pleasant to then have to walk back with a heavy school bag etc.

It’s fine and you get used to it quickly, we used to walk 3 miles each way when mine were a bit younger

The distance is fine

Because not many kids walk to school anymore (unlike when I was a kid - mind you we had to mind out for dinosaurs 🤣) I'd be a bit concerned about them - depending on the area & the type of kids they are.

But not enough to have a row with my brother over it - they think their kids are old enough, so 🤷🏻‍♀️

I disagree with most of my brother & his wife's parenting/general life thoughts. Living overseas helps enormously!!

A child of nine should surely be capable of doing this walk especially with an older sibling, who has been put on his honour not to abandon his younger brother at any time!

Two miles isn't that far to walk! It will be good for them both, relaxing and destressing after school. Only in thick fog, deep snow or blizzards will this be difficult! As long as they have good waterproof gear they will be fine.

what is the alliterative?
why is there no parent?
can they scoot?

I did just under 3 miles each way to primary as a child. Build up their stamina and road sense during the holidays and start sending them to get a paper or tin of beans so the jump from chauffeur to shanks pony isn't a big shock.

Our school won’t allow a nine year old to walk to and from school without an adult ( a 11 year old wouldn’t count).

Therefore an adult will have to walk and collect the youngest

I did that from reception with my 7 year old sister. Everyone did.

It’s fine. My eldest picked up the younger ones when I was working when she was in year seven - aged 11. Youngest was five/6. Not all the time but very occasionally they went to get a drink and scone in a cafe in town until I finished.

I’d be worried if they couldn’t do it, to be honest.

I think the distance is ok, but the route with all the roads etc doesn't sound great nor does them walking that route without an adult. Personally I would feel comfortable with my kids doing this, but I guess needs must for your brother's family.