Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think this is too far to walk?

545 replies

TrinidadQueen · 03/06/2021 14:39

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.

OP posts:
RockingMyFiftiesNot · 03/06/2021 17:58

As long as there is no reason why a 7 year old can't walk for 30 mins then no, it's not too far. Most children don't get enough exercise so this will be really good for their health.

Sweettea1 · 03/06/2021 18:00

Is this a joke thread? Half an hour walk for 7year old is absolutely fine my 5 year old can walk for a good hour at least No choice no car. 30 mins of walking every couple of days is actually not enough exercise for a 7 year old.

CatsPyjama · 03/06/2021 18:00

Of course it’s fine. You know lots of school do the ‘mile run’ so I’m pretty sure if they do that they can tolerate walking.

Lovewinemorethanhusband · 03/06/2021 18:03

My children walk about 10 minutes back to the car after school every day as parking is a nightmare and I refuse to double park , they are fine , when we go for walks with the dog we can walk around 2 hours and they are fine

ChikiTIKI · 03/06/2021 18:03

A 2 Yr old could manage that easily

MrsFin · 03/06/2021 18:07

So that's about 1 mile each way.
A 7 year old could probably run that, and get home in time to put the kettle on for you 😀

WorraLiberty · 03/06/2021 18:08

It's a worry that this question is even being asked.

And OP is certainly not alone in this ridiculous mindset, sadly.

Chickenonaperch · 03/06/2021 18:09

I can see why we have a childhood obesity crisis if 30 minutes of walking is considered difficult for any child over 2.

Acunningruse · 03/06/2021 18:12

I do 20 minutes each way with a 4 year old and 8 year old without issue, just take lots of snacks for the journey home.

midgedude · 03/06/2021 18:12

Rule of thumb.

1km per year of age
So 7 km or about 2 hours walking is fine

Years ago they used to say1 mile per year of age

Scarby9 · 03/06/2021 18:12

Absolutely 100% not too far for a child without difficulties that impact on their ability to walk. A very normal length of walk to school, and actually short for the kids round me ( just under a mile to walk to primary school or nursery).

LalalalalalaLand123 · 03/06/2021 18:13

That's barely anything of a walk! Who are you worried about, the child or the adult?

looptheloopinahulahoop · 03/06/2021 18:13

@Chickenonaperch

I can see why we have a childhood obesity crisis if 30 minutes of walking is considered difficult for any child over 2.
Indeed. The OP should get their 7 year old running their local junior parkrun, if they've got one. 2km is more than one mile, so if they can run 2k they can definitely walk a mile (which is about what you cover in 15 minutes if not keeping pace with a snail).
AGirlsGotToDo · 03/06/2021 18:13

We do 25mins there and 25 mins back. So that should be done easily.

FatCatThinCat · 03/06/2021 18:13

I put YANBU as in you are not being unreasonable to get them to walk that. Looks like everyone else with the same opinion clicked YABU. Ooops.

WellLarDeDar · 03/06/2021 18:13

2x 15 minute walks isn't too far for a 7 year old. It'd do them good I think. Do they have very serious asthma or something that would make it more difficult?

looptheloopinahulahoop · 03/06/2021 18:14

@Acunningruse

I do 20 minutes each way with a 4 year old and 8 year old without issue, just take lots of snacks for the journey home.
Why on earth would you need drinks and snacks on a 15-20 minute walk? I understand the drink on a hot day but otherwise?
partyatthepalace · 03/06/2021 18:14

Of course not. It’s fine for a 7 year old. Will do them good in fact.

WorraLiberty · 03/06/2021 18:16

@Acunningruse

I do 20 minutes each way with a 4 year old and 8 year old without issue, just take lots of snacks for the journey home.
just take lots of snacks for the journey home.

Snacks? Why? Confused

Benjispruce3 · 03/06/2021 18:16

That’s not far at all. Presumably you never walk anywhere. Children adapt. Great opportunity for chats and learning.

MiniTheMinx · 03/06/2021 18:16

Ridiculous. Of course its not too much. My eldest walked 8 miles at 4 years old. Not every day. But he could probably manage that because he used to walk to nursery school 35 minutes each way every day at age 4.

Mamanyt · 03/06/2021 18:18

In the absence of any medical considerations, this is absolutely not too far. In fact, it's probably about 1/4 of what they could do without too much trouble. Kids of 7 are, or should be, non-stop, perpetual motion machines. They play full-out for hours at a time.

Teateaandmoretea · 03/06/2021 18:18

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?

I think it’s a grandmother being judgy about her grandkids going to a childminder.

Kokosrieksts · 03/06/2021 18:19

Huh? 7 year old shouldn’t struggle to walk for 30 minutes.

cervixuser · 03/06/2021 18:20

unless there is a massive drip feed about illness or disability then I don't understand what the OP is thinking