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.

My 3.5 year old could and does manage that 5 days a week, often on top of outside time and walks at nursery. I’d be concerned if an able-bodied 7 year old couldn’t.

I think this is a sort of reverse where someone has accused the OP of abuse for making a 7 year old walk that far. An ex perhaps?

At the end of a school day do you mean?
Childminder doing several pick ups?
On the face of it, most kids do a 30 min walk without issue.

I just wanted to add that it is so very much nicer than driving. It is also entirely beneficial mentally and physically.

Very normal to walk 30 mins for anyone including a child. Is there a reason you are worried eg additional needs.

this is normal:

7 year old at school, and younger pre-school sibling has to walk to school drop them off and walk home.
15 minute walk is normal length of school walk.

So, that would be a 15 min + 15 min walk for a 3 year old. Repeat at school pick up.

is normal.

for a 7 year old, not even worthy of a mention.

If he is that bothered, get a scooter or bike.

I think the 4% were being contrary

15 mins is well under a mile at child walking pace

Bloody hell. My 3 walked the 1.2 miles to school that takes 25 minutes in a hurry thanks to some big ass hills since they were 4.

It's crazy to suggest a 7 year old with no disabilities or injuries shouldn't walk for 30 mins! My DS who is 6 plays football twice a week for an hour each time. Once we get back he has a quick snack and drink and then we're off out again to walk the dog for 45 minutes or so. We walk to friends houses at the weekend, walk to the park, the shops.... sometimes he scoots or is on his bike. All manageable and good exercise for him. Plus on the days he does football he is knackered by bedtime and drops off really quickly which makes a nice change! I just don't see why anyone would be concerned about their grandchildren walking for half an hour.

Absolutely fine.

@RedRiverShore

I think the 4% were being contrary

15 mins is well under a mile at child walking pace

They're the people who drive the Range Rover 400 yards down the road and abandon the vehicle on the zig zags before getting back in to drive it the 400 yards back home again.

What kind of lifestyle is this child living that they don’t routinely walk for 15 minutes or more?!

@RedRiverShore

I think the 4% were being contrary

15 mins is well under a mile at child walking pace

I hope they were. This thread has shocked me, although the vote is cheering.

@OrangePowder

OMG so the child's parents think it's OK and Grandma disagrees? Let them do it, they'll soon find out if it's too far it won't be

sounds like it's too far for Grandma to walk then!

I find it shocking that this is even being asked. A child who doesn't have disabilities should easily be able to walk further than this on a daily basis. A 30 minute walk doesn't even count as exercise.

Blimey. I'd be concerned if a 7 year old couldn't do a 30 minute walk.

I'm fat, and almost 60 and I could manage a 15 minute walk to school and back without agonising over it.

What a bizarre thread. What able bodied 7 year old can't manage a 30 minute round trip

My 2yo walks 10 minutes to the park, runs around for 30 minutes and walks 10inutes back. Sometimes she'll ask for a carry part of the way home, but she's 2. I'd expect her to manage a 30 minute walk without being carried by the time she's 3 I'd guess.

Unless there is some backstory or missing facts re disability or SEN, a 30 minute walk is perfectly normal for a 7 yr old to manage.

What is it about the walk that is particularly concerning you?

If you are concerned, why not take the child with you on a 30 minute walk to try it out and see how it goes. Though this shouldn't be necessary, it would be for your peace of mind rather than the childs!

There has to be more to this. What's the backstory OP? Are you being asked to collect the child and you don't want to? That's fine if so, just say to the parents.

It’s very worrying if a 7 year old with no additional needs is incapable of a 30 minute walk.

How sedentary must their life be if you think this is too much?

Genuine story from the mid-70s.

My DB and I were the kids of a divorced mum who worked full-time. From the ages of 5 and 7 left our city centre primary school and walked about 20 mins to our council estate flat, stepping over drunks outside the homeless shelter on our way. Back at our flat our neighbour would open our front door for us and we would watch TV until 5.30pm when our mum came home.

We survived with no ill effects.

My 2 year old does similar (probably more like 10 minutes quick walk) twice a day 5 days a week, plus park, trampoline, general activity. Why would it be too far for a 7 year old and what alternative would you suggest?

My 5 year old does a 3 mile hilly walk most weekends and will do up to 7 or 8 miles once a month up a bigger mountain.

@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.

Well, it's not. Hopefully the many, many people who have said the same thing have reassured you

15 mins is a tiny walk, mine came on walks in excess of 2 Hours at that age, walked home from school (25 mins) regularly too