My DS10 wants to walk to school by himself

[Ihearticecream]

My DS10 is very good at getting himself ready in the morning and the school have been encouraging independence and a fair few from the year walk to and from school by themselves. I am sure the physical walk is not a problem as he’s done it for years with me or his Dad but the world is not what it used to be and I am feeling like an overprotective mother.
I’m not sure I feel ready to let him go by himself yet.
Fellow mumsnetters any advice?
And do I need to give my head a wobble?
Thanks

@BigSandyBalls2015

Christ 14!!!! , I'm genuinely shocked at that. At 14 my DDs were getting trains to London with friends and going all over the place.

Kids aren't routinely snatched off the street on the school run you know . .... it's incredibly rare.

When they were 13 another school mum and I allowed our dds to go from London to Calais for the day - 2 trains to Dover and the ferry - on their own.

It was only after much pleading from the dds and an awful lot of parental agonising, not to mention having kittens until they were safely back, but they were fine.

This was ages ago now, though - I’d never allow it now, not at 13 anyway. Calais has changed, and not for the better.

My DD is 9 and has been taking herself for months. Any of the class in walking distance do

@Parky04

How times have changed. I walked to school on my own when I was 6. Yes, I know it was in the 70s!

Same. Started at 5. A group of us walked with a couple of 10 year-olds.

It entirely depends on the roads and traffic situation between your house and school. No one can really give you an answer without knowing this

My 10 year old walks to and from school, including later finish clubs. We live fairly near and so there are always people around/going in the same direction but it has caused me v little worry.

My older one found doing this in year 5/6 a good basis for secondary where she now walks to get the bus alone and sometimes cones back to an empty house etc. They need to start small to work up to greater independence.

My youngest went in his own from 4. He used to run down the garden, clamber over the fence, run through a field of sheep and climb over the school wall.

Nearly fell down the stairs with laughter watching him one morning when he got caught on the garden fence and was hanging upside down by his coat surrounded by curious sheep.

Hi all he’s in year 5. Thank you for all the helpful advice. DS is a typical 10 year old boy. Thinks he knows everything and easily distracted. Will definitely get him to say when to cross and have some serious talks on what to do if approached.