AIBU.. Reactions to walking to primary school?

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Due to a house move, we had a hard time getting a suitable primary school place for DS in September. Thankfully we've now managed to secure one which is 1.3 miles from our new address.

I have a car but I fully intend on walking to school with him. We currently walk to nursery which is about half the distance, and I love our walks and chats together.

The thing that has really surprised me is the amount of negative reactions from other parents about our plans to walk. 'What about in the winter! What if it's raining! They will be so exhausted!' Some of them so dramatic like I'm commiting an awful act against my DS!

We are an outdoorsy family and have plenty of warm winter gear, decent waterproofs, scooters (with pull along strap if needed) and even a bike with large seat if he's really struggling in the first term.

Also it's a big school with absolutely notorious issues for parking/ driving at school run time so I plan to avoid the stress of that! And I will still have my car if there is an emergency/illness etc, but don't plan to use it otherwise.

AIBU to be a bit miffed at everyone's reactions?

Lots of people are extremely lazy. Our two have never been driven to school, our sons primary was about 1.2 miles away, his current primary is just under a mile away. It also means when he starts walking on his own the journey will be second nature.

You have a great plan. Stick with it. Ignore the others who say you can't do this.

I walked 1.3 miles with both of mine and never had a problem, just get them waterproofs and wellies for the winter and they will be fine

It seems more odd that you've had this conversation with so many people, he doesnt start til Sept so why would that conversation keep coming up unless you're going out of your way to have it. Therefore, you're probably asking for opinions. I dont think it's too wild of an opinion for people to say a child might be fed up with a 1 hour round trip every day in horrendous weather if they've been asked for their opinion.

Yanbu to walk as much as possible.

However when the weather is truly awful (gales, rain that soaks through everything, ice etc) use your common sense. Or indeed a heat wave!

Children are capable of walking, especially as it seems you have the bike as well.

We had a 1.3 mile walk (or sometimes we scooted or biked) to primary for 4 years, it was honestly great - a chance to chat, some fresh air and yes as pp said, walking/active travel then becomes second nature. dd now walks on her own which is a 1 mile walk as we moved and is happy to do so.

Your plan sounds great. Why would you get in the car if you don't have to?

Weird you’ve discussed with so many people (makes me think you’re looking for opinions…) but of course you’re not doing anything wrong. It’s so much better for you and your child’s mental and physical health. I’d personally cycle it but perhaps not possible

We are very close to our primary school, less than a 5 minute walk and yet loads of people who live closer than us still drive, saying lots of the things mentioned in the OP (but it’s raining!etc) people are just lazy.

I'm surprised so many people have such strong reactions...it is hardly noteworthy or unusual to walk to school at only 1.3 miles.

My DDs used to walk to and from school every day (expect Friday afternoon when my dad picked up). Just over a mile and it was also a nightmare to park.
So when they started secondary school they had no issue with walking whereas some of their friends did struggle.
DS is starting primary school in September and DH has asked a few times if I'm going to drive him. The answer is always no, his school isn't even a mile!

Same here. People drive from like 2 minutes away. My kid happily walks a mile there and back without a problem!

I think driving increases laziness - on my street we are 4 minutes walk for a little Tesco and the number of people that drive to it rather than walk is crazy.

No you are not being unreasonable! Love our walk to school. If it's raining we have umbrellas and puddle suits which just add to the fun for my little one!

Your plan to walk sounds completely normal. It’s a good way to destress after school as well.

I don't drive so always walk my kids to and from school. Even if I could drive I wouldn't as the parking around school is a nightmare

It never bothered by kids and they are fitter for it.

In winter we have proper coats, we also have foam coats and wellies.

Same here, people drive from 5 minutes away and then spend 10 mins looking for a parking space. When i’m in a hurry i go by bike, much faster then by car when you live nearby a school.

Another one who is pro walking! So good for you both. I don’t think he’ll be too exhausted, I think he’ll give him more energy for the day!

I think the only problem I’d have is if the walk is a very polluted route. (But then another car is just throwing more pollution into the mix!)

I just googled what my childhood walk to school was and it’s 0.8 miles as a sense check. It was completely fine and very good for us I’m sure.

We never drove to school until we moved further away (it became a half hour drive instead of a half hour walk)

My 3yo can walk up to about 2 miles so I don’t see why a school aged child couldn’t manage 1.3 twice a day.

I would plan on using the bike a lot at first because for most even if they have been in nursery starting reception can be very tiring.

I would aim for walk or bike most days but don’t rule out car sometimes if it makes life easier.

Thank you for walking, I hate seeing the roads clogged with kids in cars every morning, BTW, could you cycle?

I've been quite vocal with lots of the school mums / friends etc as our original school was 7 miles from our new address, so lots of people have been checking in with me about if we have managed to find anywhere closer. I've been pretty stressed with it all.
When the whole nursery class is going to big school it tends to be a big topic at the school gates, I'm not just bringing it up out of the blue.

Fresh air, bit of exercise, nice chat whats not to like. I’m always bewildered by people saying kids will get really tired, most have insane amounts of energy.

Please don’t listen to them, kids are perfectly capable. Some people are so lazy and don’t walk anywhere and are passing this habit onto their children. I walk a mile to school with my children and it’s a nice chance to chat. It’s good for them and great exercise for me as I walk 4 miles a day just in the school runs.

We're getting increased reactions to continuing planned outdoor activities in less than perfect weather. Just wear a coat

For walks to school, getting drenched in the morning and slowly drying out is grim, but the reality is that when it's that bad, the traffic is also awful and you'd end up drenched getting out from where you parked up anyway. Getting home you can change straight away.

1.2mi is fine. Little legs can be slow and speeding up with scooters can help.

I've been quite vocal with lots of the school mums / friends etc as our original school was 7 miles from our new address, so lots of people have been checking in with me about if we have managed to find anywhere closer. I've been pretty stressed with it all.
When the whole nursery class is going to big school it tends to be a big topic at the school gates, I'm not just bringing it up out of the blue.

It's not odd that you've discussed going to the school, it's odd that you've discussed the mode of transport.