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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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:
PurpleFlower1983 · 03/06/2021 15:22

It’s absolutely fine.

Threewheeler1 · 03/06/2021 15:22

Don't worry OP, you're grandchild will be fine. Most kids have at least that distance to walk every day as an absolute minimum.
And as they get older it'll get easier.
My 2 were slow, dawdling walkers but they managed no problem. Probably a 25 minute walk, mostly uphill. I'd be the one struggling, carrying all the unwanted bags/coats/scooters etc. But it's valuable chatting time. Also gives them a chance to walk with other kids and cement a few friendships.
They were at different schools so one had a double walk at the end of the day. No issues at all, just normal routine for most.

thecognoscenti · 03/06/2021 15:22

Definitely fine!

gobackanddoitproperly · 03/06/2021 15:22

A scooter makes things easier. (for the child I mean)

apostropheuse · 03/06/2021 15:23

Of course it's not too far for a child with no disabilities. I used to go on long summer evening walks with my grandmother at that age, usually a couple of hours or so. As a grandmother myself now I would be horrified if my grandchildren struggled walking for 30 minutes 3 times per week.

JudgeRindersMinder · 03/06/2021 15:23

Is this for real?😂

Liverbird77 · 03/06/2021 15:23

My two year old can walk for longer than that!

CuriousandReady · 03/06/2021 15:23

For reference, my son walks a mile to nursery and a mile back with no issues. He is almost 3 and has been doing this for months. It takes about half an hour, he does a 9 hour day at nursery.

We regularly walk 3-4 miles a day. Exercise is important

sparepantsandtoothbrush · 03/06/2021 15:23

This is madness! If that's all the exercise they're doing 3 times a week it's not even enough! Plenty of children much younger walk further than that every day (as proven by this thread).

Are we missing something OP? Have you missed out a vital piece of information?!

Ariela · 03/06/2021 15:23

Do take plenty of drink if as hot as today, but mine walked from age 4 for 25 mins each way on school run,.

1WayOrAnother2 · 03/06/2021 15:25

Have you watched any 7 year olds (or even much younger children) play outside? They spend much more than half an hour on their feet running about -for no reason at all.

LemonRoses · 03/06/2021 15:26

@Ariela

Do take plenty of drink if as hot as today, but mine walked from age 4 for 25 mins each way on school run,.
Plenty of drink??? For a fifteen minute stroll? Goodness, there are some delicate little flowers.
nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 03/06/2021 15:26

Unless you're about to drip feed that the child only has one leg, it seems fine. My 7 year old nephew runs around like a lunatic in soft play for at least an hour. If a healthy 7 year old cant walk 30 minutes without stopping, I'd be taking them to the doctors.

GCAcademic · 03/06/2021 15:26

Surely this cannot be a serious question?

notalwaysalondoner · 03/06/2021 15:26

This shows how crazy our standards of activity for children have become. A 7 year old is perfectly capable of doing this, in fact, it would be good for them. I know 7 year olds who can happily hike all day. If they’re not already very active it will be good for them, and if they are, they’ll hardly notice it. If they’re not already active it may slightly tire them for the first couple of weeks but they’ll rapidly adjust. On what possible basis do you think it’s too far?

HeronLanyon · 03/06/2021 15:27

apostropheuse ‘long summer evening walks with my grandmother’ - that is an absolutely lovely image. Smile

GiveMeNovocain · 03/06/2021 15:27

I expect my 9 year old to walk as far as I can so 30 minutes a day would be far less than she does.

SimonJT · 03/06/2021 15:28

They’ll be fine, my son has had a 20-25 minute walk since the age of three, now hes older (5) he has a scooter as he can be trusted to be sensible and not get in anyones way.

sherrystrull · 03/06/2021 15:28

Absolutely fine. Take a drink and a snack as mine wanted both straight from school. Also, make sure they go to the toilet before leaving school. Take a scooter as well if you like.

EmmaJR1 · 03/06/2021 15:29

My 3 yo and 4 yo walk 2.5 miles to the local shop with me then 2.5 miles back. It's a weekly outing for us. They'd be buggered if 30 mins was too far this takes us about 70 mins each way because they faff about looking at stuff 😂

User629202 · 03/06/2021 15:29

Children of 7 should be doing 60 minutes of moderate intensity activity every day. A half hour walk is certainly not too much - it’s about half of what they will need to do in a day to stay fit and healthy.

Dishwashersaurous · 03/06/2021 15:29

So 15 minutes. Less than a mile. So asking child to walk less than two miles three times a week.

Unless the child is missing a leg I don’t know anyone who would bat an eyelid at that as a walk.

What is your concern?

blaisealex · 03/06/2021 15:30

You're the lady who got annoyed with her friend because she told your Grandkids a story about a time when she farted. I think you may be just a little bit precious in regards to your Grandchildren.

GiveMeNovocain · 03/06/2021 15:30

Sorry to answer your question. Since my dd has been 7 she's been expected to be able to climb a mountain so 15 minutes walk wouldn't even be considered exercise

sugarapplelane · 03/06/2021 15:30

Not too far at all
My DD was walking half an hour to school and then back again since the age of 5. Needs must.
She never moans about walking anywhere as she's mean so used to it. Character building I say

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