To think this is too far to walk?

[TrinidadQueen]

To school for a child?

15 minutes there and then 15 minutes back. Child is 7. It's to collect another child so would have to do the walk back immediately.

No, of course not. We lived about that far.

I like the walk home from school with my DS. We chat about his day, he can decompress, and I think I get to hear much more about what he's been up to than if we drive because as soon as we get home he is seeking out a screen or playing on his own. Plus 7 year olds normally have plenty of energy and plenty to say so it will fly by!

Totally fine

When mine were 2 and 3 year olds they walked for 1/2 hour to go to playgroup played for 2 1/2 hours and walked back. They then had to walk for 20 mins to go to nursery/school. Your grandchild will be fine!

My 2 year old walks this to the park and back. Won’t sit in a push chair. Walks everywhere.

You've phrased the title as though you think it's too far. A child half that age should be able to do a 30 minute walk if your grandchild can't at 7 then you need them to get fitter. They will be walking more than 30 minutes on school trips or playing that long without sitting

Poor OP. Now she's going to have to find something else to bitch about her DiL.

Seems perfectly fine to me as this pretty much resonates with my daily school walk with a young child. Come rain or shine just over one mile door to door to a local not quite nearest school as approximately a quarter of an hour express power walk together or eighteen minutes comfortably and twenty minutes leisurely. We can drive but it only saves a few minutes due to traffic (and constant road works!) and finding somewhere nearby to drop off without being ticketed. Would never use shared (TfL) public transportation during these pandemic times even if paid to do so let alone free and chargeable! We are in central London near a major transportation hub (with direct major international airport connections) and naturally as good as any other vector for asymptomatic super mutating spreading of viruses and germs as anywhere. My child likes exploring central London by foot with plenty of interesting breaks and things to do to mix it up. Most walks less than a hour non stop with some just a few minutes. Been doing this since nursery to primary school age. Walking together gives valuable catch up time to run through last minute homework and spellings etc.

What makes you think it might be too far?

I would be really concerned if a healthy 7 year old couldn't manage that. Would you be so worried if her mum took her to the park for half an hour after school or if she joined the school netball team?

15 minutes walk there and back, is a laughably short walk! Barely 2/3 of a mile each way.

I thought you were going to say 5 miles!!! (Like 2 hours or so...)

@TrinidadQueen YABU.

What’s the backstory?

It's fine. At 7 my son walked 20 mins to school then back again. One day a week he also walked 30 mins to football practise, practise for an hour then 30 mins walk home all after school. I would be seriously concered about a child who couldn't manage a 30 min walk.

Unless there are medical issues I certainly don't see an issue with a 30 minute walk. My kids started football training at that age after school and that was running daft for an hour twice per week, and often going out to play when they came home.

Many kids younger will walk that distance and more to and from school on a daily basis.

This must a step child pick up.

Honestly my 3 year old collects his sister from school which is a 15m walk away (although we usually give ourselves 20-25 minutes for his littler legs).

Eh? Really? Of course it's not too far.

I would be concerned if a 7 year old couldn't tbh.

Tick that one off the list OP.

Honestly, don't worry, it's fine. It's good for kids to get some exercise

My school run is 15-20 mins each way. DD has done it since reception. When she was 3 she did it a couple of times a day when her elder sibling was settling in

It really shouldn’t be a problem. Embrace it, make it fun

Completely normal and fine. 15 mins is nothing at all...?

My nieces (10 and 5) walk 35 mins each way with plenty hills, no bother. They'll walk even more at the weekends when they have activities to get to.

A 7 year old should be taking half an hour exercise as a minimum each day so no problems

Sounds fine to me. I drag my 6, 10 & 11 year olds out with the dog and that’s at least a 40 minute walk.

But if you don’t want to go pick up someone else’s kid just say so.

@TrinidadQueen

I am simply concerned it will be too far for my grandchild. Please do not throw such accusations my way. It is a simple enough question that I am asking.

Oh, your grandchild

Is this research so you can tell the child’s parents they are wrong??

My children started doing this twice a day at ages 3 and 5. They love it.

You are being unreasonable

I think that it truly would not be too far for the 7 year olds three times a week. I think it is a very enjoyable way for the children to get to and from school too. It leaves a lovely interlude for chat and looking around as well.

My only worry would be if there were extremely bad weather, but in that case be prepared.

My other worry would be unsafe crossings, but I presume your route is fine as you haven’t mentioned any difficulties on that score.