To collect child from school fornnext couple of weeks?

[Iremembertheelderlykoreanlady]

Child in Y5.

For the last couple of months (in terms of actually being in school) my child has been walking part of the way home himself, and I have been meeting him at a certain point to then walk the rest of the way.

The idea being that once he's at the end of year 6 he will be walking all the way home by himself. This would better prepare him for secondary school when he will have to be more independant.

Tonight it's come to light that a man attempted to abduct a child from a nearby primary school when they were walking home. Police are involved.

I've decided thatbfoe the next couple of weeks at least I will go back to collecting him from the playground, or at least within sight of the school gates.

YABU - carry on as you are
YANBU - collect from playground

Why would this even be in doubt ?

You've been made aware that the police have been informed about an attempted abduction locally, and you are able to fetch him. Why wouldn't you ?

Completely pick him up. There's no way I would leave him to walk alone.

Pick him up!!!! He’s still very young. My twins are in year 5, they couldn’t do part way even together!

Seriously?

To give context. I have fairly serious anxiety. So whilst I think I am doing the right thing, I am also aware that my own issues have the capacity to impact the way I react the things.

Collecting him is a rational response to an acknowledged risk.

You are not over reacting in the slightest to collect your 9 (?) old from school.

YABVU, you should absolutely let a 9/10yo child wander alone after school with a maniac on the loose

Sorry, I don't usually get annoyed when people ask for obvious answers on AIBU but I wonder how some people ever function IRL if they have to ask these questions to a bunch of strangers?

I find these "there's obviously only ever clearly one answer" is not actually because they need help with the question, it's for one of three reasons:

1. Stealth boast
2. Sympathy grabber
3. "Tell me what a good parent/person I am"

Strange question OP

It's what people do when there's a threat to their children

So YANBU, obviously.

Right I'll apologise straight away for that. Uncalled for.

But I don't see how admitting that I have anxiety issues equals "look at what a good parent I am"/stealth boast.

It seems I am not be unreasonable. Wonderful. Thanks

YANBU I would do the same and I understand why you've asked. Hundreds of mums in the area probably asking themselves the same question...

Are you BCP area? If so there has been a string of incidents this week around 3 particular schools. I absolutely wouldn't be allowing my child to walk home alone right now

Sorry I don't know what BCP is?

I don't blame you for asking at all. Checking that your decision is rational is a perfectly sensible thing to do when you know you have an anxiety related tendency to overreact. And YANBU to pick you child up.

BCP = Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.

Ah ok. Thank you.
No. Nowhere near there.

I don't see how this is a stealth boast as PP suggested??

YANBU OP. Absolutely collect your son from school. That's not being overly anxious, it's just sensible given what has happened nearby.

That's worrying op. 100 percent collect your child. It's sad though not to have the chance for a bit of independence

I'm very relaxed but would definitely pick up in these circumstances. Plus the more adult eyes about the better for all the children. Hope they catch him soon.

We have had a letter from our primary school saying similar this week. No harm in being cautious. YANBU.

God people can be harsh! OP explained why she posted the question, which completely justifies asking on here. Given most people think it's the obvious thing to do, she wouldn't want to ask others irl would she?

OP, collect your child, perfectly reasonable in the circumstances, and at any time really at his age.

I hope the Police catch the person who tried to abduct the child, that is terrifying

I'd definitely do the same, YANBU

He has really loved having this bit of independence. So I feel really sad that it has to end.

Thanks to those who understand.

It took quite a lot on my part to get to the point of him walking part way on his own, and after what has happened i know I'm going to have a battle with myself to get back to that point

I would sit him down and explain why. The Headteacher will probably do an assembly on stranger danger. Explain that when you consider it safe you can resume a strategy where you both feel happy.