Page 27 | To make the kids walk 3miles to school?

Thedevilhasfinallycaughtupwithhim · 03/09/2025 20:16

Gloriia · 03/09/2025 20:11

Do you walk 3 miles to get to work? I'd guess probably not. It is customary to drive or catch a bus whilst using leisure time for health related activities.

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I walk six miles a day.
I love it.

Blushingm · 03/09/2025 20:20

At that age a council wouldn’t offer free transport as they’re close enough to walk. 3 miles isn’t far. They can walk

outerspacepotato · 03/09/2025 20:21

ButterflyBitch · 03/09/2025 18:56

i used to walk 45 minutes each way to and from school. They should be fine. It won’t be forever. Some people are raising very delicate children these days.

Adults train for 10k walks for weeks. This is not something these kids can just do from Day 1.

These kids are 12 and 13 and will be carrying heavy loads, on hilly terrain, and in inclement weather. They'll be needing more to eat, more protein, and two pairs of good shoes each. I think doing 10k every day under these conditions is going to lead to back and ankle and knee issues. What if one of them slips and falls and injures themself? What if one sprains an ankle? What if they get shin splints? Is the other supposed to leave them or is help available along their route? Will they be walking in the dark in bad weather?

Lookylooper · 03/09/2025 20:29

outerspacepotato · 03/09/2025 20:21

Adults train for 10k walks for weeks. This is not something these kids can just do from Day 1.

These kids are 12 and 13 and will be carrying heavy loads, on hilly terrain, and in inclement weather. They'll be needing more to eat, more protein, and two pairs of good shoes each. I think doing 10k every day under these conditions is going to lead to back and ankle and knee issues. What if one of them slips and falls and injures themself? What if one sprains an ankle? What if they get shin splints? Is the other supposed to leave them or is help available along their route? Will they be walking in the dark in bad weather?

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What if they spontaneously combust? What if a rabid flock of sheep break free and the children get caught up in it, unable to free themselves?!!? Oh the humanity!!

It's not even dark after school, and presumably more food can be carried or bought. Have a lie down.

outerspacepotato · 03/09/2025 20:40

Lookylooper · 03/09/2025 20:29

What if they spontaneously combust? What if a rabid flock of sheep break free and the children get caught up in it, unable to free themselves?!!? Oh the humanity!!

It's not even dark after school, and presumably more food can be carried or bought. Have a lie down.

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Hyperbole much?

Everything I said is quite likely. Expecting them to do a daily 10k without any preparation over hills and in bad weather with weighted packs is asking for physical injury. Adults get injuries during boot camp when they start that kind of activity. Why do you think kids are immune? Hint: they're not.

An ACL tear will put them on crutches for some time and it's excruciating.

All to save mom a lot of driving. I get it's a lot of driving but there's a lot of risk here.

Lookylooper · 03/09/2025 20:45

outerspacepotato · 03/09/2025 20:40

Hyperbole much?

Everything I said is quite likely. Expecting them to do a daily 10k without any preparation over hills and in bad weather with weighted packs is asking for physical injury. Adults get injuries during boot camp when they start that kind of activity. Why do you think kids are immune? Hint: they're not.

An ACL tear will put them on crutches for some time and it's excruciating.

All to save mom a lot of driving. I get it's a lot of driving but there's a lot of risk here.

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Everything I said is quite likely

It really isn't

I get it's a lot of driving but there's a lot of risk here

There REALLY isn't

Weighted packs, boot camp, ACL tears - good galloping grief. Do you suffer from this much fear of catastrophe in other areas of your life as well?

ButterflyBitch · 03/09/2025 20:46

outerspacepotato · 03/09/2025 20:21

Adults train for 10k walks for weeks. This is not something these kids can just do from Day 1.

These kids are 12 and 13 and will be carrying heavy loads, on hilly terrain, and in inclement weather. They'll be needing more to eat, more protein, and two pairs of good shoes each. I think doing 10k every day under these conditions is going to lead to back and ankle and knee issues. What if one of them slips and falls and injures themself? What if one sprains an ankle? What if they get shin splints? Is the other supposed to leave them or is help available along their route? Will they be walking in the dark in bad weather?

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Yeh I stand by my comment. I did it. At 11 onwards, carrying my rucksack, in hilly terrain and in inclement weather. Anyone can fall and hurt themselves at any time. They’re at no more risk than any other person walking. Presumably they’re as fit and healthy as op said, in which case they’ll be fine. If there’s any injuries then like anyone they’d call for medical help, a luxury which we didn’t have in my day.

schtompy · 03/09/2025 20:57

No, too far..step up to your parental duty, it’s not forever, it’s roadworks. 3 miles is a long way when you’re carrying heavy bags/it’s pouring with rain. It won’t kill you to drive

MyDogHumpsThings · 03/09/2025 21:05

outerspacepotato · 03/09/2025 20:21

Adults train for 10k walks for weeks. This is not something these kids can just do from Day 1.

These kids are 12 and 13 and will be carrying heavy loads, on hilly terrain, and in inclement weather. They'll be needing more to eat, more protein, and two pairs of good shoes each. I think doing 10k every day under these conditions is going to lead to back and ankle and knee issues. What if one of them slips and falls and injures themself? What if one sprains an ankle? What if they get shin splints? Is the other supposed to leave them or is help available along their route? Will they be walking in the dark in bad weather?

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They’re 12 and 13 - not 72 and 73! I didn’t “train” for my 3-mile walks to school in the wet Welsh weather and neither did my friends, and nobody ever, ever complained of ankle and knee issues.

This generation is utterly screwed and I know exactly who is to blame.

Thedevilhasfinallycaughtupwithhim · 03/09/2025 21:21

MyDogHumpsThings · 03/09/2025 21:05

They’re 12 and 13 - not 72 and 73! I didn’t “train” for my 3-mile walks to school in the wet Welsh weather and neither did my friends, and nobody ever, ever complained of ankle and knee issues.

This generation is utterly screwed and I know exactly who is to blame.

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😂😂😂😂

I’ve heard it all now.

”Teenagers need to train to walk an hour and then walk another hour 6 hours later”

Hmm1234 · 03/09/2025 21:28

DHdoingmyheadin · 02/09/2025 08:07

Due to ongoing roadworks, the main road through the village to my kids school is closed and will be for c. a month. We are right at the edge of where the roadworks are so we have two options:

(A) A 15 mile detour by car, down the road all the traffic is being funnelled down (a main A road that is congested even when the road through the village is open). Which I trialled yesterday, and took me 45 minutes each way. This was with no school traffic as schools go back tomorrow. So I’d be doing at least 90 minutes of driving each morning and DH 90 mins in the afternoon.

(B) The kids walk to school and back. 3 miles each way.

DH is adamant I can’t possibly expect them to walk. It’s hilly. It’s due to rain. I think they walk. I think it would be insane to drive when it’s literally faster for them to walk. It’s 3 miles. I’m not asking them to swim the channel and then scale Mount Everest. Kids are 12 and 13.

AIBU to put my foot down and refuse to drive?

Yes they’ll be sweaty, miserable and tired and if it rains!? Imagine how uncomfortable they’ll be all day

FiveBarGate · 03/09/2025 21:42

outerspacepotato · 03/09/2025 20:40

Hyperbole much?

Everything I said is quite likely. Expecting them to do a daily 10k without any preparation over hills and in bad weather with weighted packs is asking for physical injury. Adults get injuries during boot camp when they start that kind of activity. Why do you think kids are immune? Hint: they're not.

An ACL tear will put them on crutches for some time and it's excruciating.

All to save mom a lot of driving. I get it's a lot of driving but there's a lot of risk here.

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This must be a wind up.

My seven year old did a 10k walk over a hill this weekend. It's a route she's been doing for years and certainly didn't require training.

Unless you have mobility issues this is a very normal distance, especially when broken in two by six hours mostly sitting down

Tallgirlsrock · 03/09/2025 21:54

The Department for Education states that a reasonable distance for children in years 4 to 6 is 3 miles walking distance (each way). If OP's children are age 12 and 13 then there is no reason why they can't walk 3 miles each way. It might actually do them good

Tallgirlsrock · 03/09/2025 21:55

The Department for Education states that a reasonable distance for children in years 4 to 6 is 3 miles walking distance (each way). If OP's children are age 12 and 13 then there is no reason why they can't walk 3 miles each way. It might actually do them good

IsThistheMiddleofNowhere · 03/09/2025 22:52

DHdoingmyheadin · 02/09/2025 09:52

I walk 4 miles to the station on my 3 days I go into London. Then 3 miles the other side. Then I do it again every evening 😘

Imagine telling someone who wants their kids to get exercise when it’s not convenient (I.e would actually be a huge undertaking that would take the parent twice as long to do compared to the kids walking) for them to be driven to ‘get off their patootie and be a mum.’ Sorry, I thought part of being a good parent was to want your children to be healthy…apparently not!

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I'm slightly confused because in an earlier post you said you visit your parents every day in your lunchbreak but how can that be when you are working in London 3 days a week which is a 14 mile round trip on foot plus the train journey?

BogRollBOGOF · 03/09/2025 23:11

outerspacepotato · 03/09/2025 20:40

Hyperbole much?

Everything I said is quite likely. Expecting them to do a daily 10k without any preparation over hills and in bad weather with weighted packs is asking for physical injury. Adults get injuries during boot camp when they start that kind of activity. Why do you think kids are immune? Hint: they're not.

An ACL tear will put them on crutches for some time and it's excruciating.

All to save mom a lot of driving. I get it's a lot of driving but there's a lot of risk here.

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Wait until you hear about Duke of Edinburgh's expeditions...
They're only about 18m off bronze award range...

sgtmajormum · 03/09/2025 23:40

Im in agreement with you OP. That road closure sounds like a nightmare. Walking seems like a sensible option. I walk 45 mins to work across fields and its a lovely way to commute. No road rage or stress. I get to say good morning to the cows. Fabulous. Your teens sound fit and healthy.
I was going to suggest cycling but I see from your other posts that hills are an issue so that's a no go.

Also sounds like lots of kids will be walking so with mates it won't be that bad at all. Although if they are like my teens they couldn't possibly wear a coat/brolly if it rains and will get quite drenched.

Sounds character building 😁

Endorewitch · 04/09/2025 00:03

Years ago kids walked to school. I did. But attitudes have changed.
If they are 12 and 13 cycling is the perfect answer. As the road is closed to traffic it is quite safe. It is only for a month anyhow. Actually there is nothing wrong with cycling now and then even when the road opens. Good exercise.

independentfriend · 04/09/2025 00:14

Another option - picnic breakfast and thermos flasks to eat in the car and leave very early in the morning when there's little traffic so you can deposit the children and get home again before rush hour. Would require discipline to go to bed early enough to make getting up at 5am or so feasible for a month.

If them walking is likely to be a longer term thing than just for the roadworks look at bikes with some kind of legal pedal assist fitted to help with the hills. (Check if you're supposed to be 14 to use a bike like that).

CecilyP · 04/09/2025 01:23

BeAzureRaven · 03/09/2025 18:08

I remember my grandfather (I'm 65) telling me how he got 'permission', finally, from his father to attend school (his dad wanted him to spend all his time working on the farm, and to forgo school) in a town 10 miles away. He RODE his HORSE to school! In the rain and snow, too. (according to him, anyway) Kids today (mine included) have been so coddled it's embarrassing.

Sounds like fun. That might be a novel solution for OP!

caringcarer · 04/09/2025 01:48

I'd drive them if it was pouring with rain in the morning as it's not nice to be in wet clothes all day. Otherwise the exercise will do them good. If it wasn't raining I'd tell them to walk in the morning. DH can decide if he drives them or they walk in the afternoon.

CecilyP · 04/09/2025 01:49

Tallgirlsrock · 03/09/2025 21:55

The Department for Education states that a reasonable distance for children in years 4 to 6 is 3 miles walking distance (each way). If OP's children are age 12 and 13 then there is no reason why they can't walk 3 miles each way. It might actually do them good

No it doesn't. Local authorities have as statutory duty to provide free transport for primary children travelling over 2 miles and for secondary children travelling over 3 miles

Natsku · 04/09/2025 02:40

outerspacepotato · 03/09/2025 20:21

Adults train for 10k walks for weeks. This is not something these kids can just do from Day 1.

These kids are 12 and 13 and will be carrying heavy loads, on hilly terrain, and in inclement weather. They'll be needing more to eat, more protein, and two pairs of good shoes each. I think doing 10k every day under these conditions is going to lead to back and ankle and knee issues. What if one of them slips and falls and injures themself? What if one sprains an ankle? What if they get shin splints? Is the other supposed to leave them or is help available along their route? Will they be walking in the dark in bad weather?

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Adults train for weeks to do a half day hike???
My 7 year old did an unplanned 8k walk this summer (we didn't realise how long the walk was until we were half way round, too late to turn back then) with no food or water, and swarms of mosquitoes biting us. Didn't even suffer a blister.

Emmafuller79 · 04/09/2025 02:51

DHdoingmyheadin · 02/09/2025 08:07

Due to ongoing roadworks, the main road through the village to my kids school is closed and will be for c. a month. We are right at the edge of where the roadworks are so we have two options:

(A) A 15 mile detour by car, down the road all the traffic is being funnelled down (a main A road that is congested even when the road through the village is open). Which I trialled yesterday, and took me 45 minutes each way. This was with no school traffic as schools go back tomorrow. So I’d be doing at least 90 minutes of driving each morning and DH 90 mins in the afternoon.

(B) The kids walk to school and back. 3 miles each way.

DH is adamant I can’t possibly expect them to walk. It’s hilly. It’s due to rain. I think they walk. I think it would be insane to drive when it’s literally faster for them to walk. It’s 3 miles. I’m not asking them to swim the channel and then scale Mount Everest. Kids are 12 and 13.

AIBU to put my foot down and refuse to drive?

Why do you live that far from there school?
or if you like why don’t they go to school near you’re home?

🤔

Squishymallows · 04/09/2025 02:52

I used to walk 1.5 miles to school, friends 1.8. I think 2 is max in my eyes. I wouldn’t make my kids walk 3 with heavy bags.

i would park my car the other side of the roadworks for the duration and we just walked to the car a little each time