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Original poster

Walking to school - is a mile too far? And are we going to have to set off at 7am to get there on time?

47 replies

smellyeli · 02/02/2009 12:13

We are looking at state primaries and the one that we like and has spaces is about a mile away from where we are looking to move to. I have no idea how far I used to walk to school (felt like 10 miles but apparently it was not) - does anyone do a mile or so with a tired 5 year old and an 18 month old in a buggy? And if so how long does it take you?? I am really keen not to have to drive.

OP posts:
Shitemum · 02/02/2009 12:14

She could maybe go on a scooter or bike if the pavements are good? Work out how far a mile is and try it out with her.

AnarchyAunt · 02/02/2009 12:17

We do a mile to school and its no problem. DD is 5.9 but we've been doing it since she was 3.5.

Takes about 25-30 minutes with DD, and 15-20 when its just me. Scooter or bike are great ideas.

FAQtothefuture · 02/02/2009 12:17

I've just moved just under a mile from the schools, takes 15 minutes doing a gentle(ish) walk with a 8yr, 5yr and buggy

MrsBadger · 02/02/2009 12:17

a mile is
12min unencumbered adult hurrying
15min adult with laptop bag or similar walking
20min adult with pushchair

after that it depends on the 5yo
get her a scooter?

Reallytired · 02/02/2009 12:18

My sil walks her children a mile to school and they coped at the age of five. I don't think she set off at 7am. I have a feeling she allows about half an hour, but considerally longer if her three year old daughter wants to walk.

I think it will be hard getting your five year old to walk back, but children do build stamina.

WEESLEEKITLauriefairycake · 02/02/2009 12:18

a mile is

25 minutes for me

FAQtothefuture · 02/02/2009 12:19

oh and the 15 minutes allows for dropping DS1 at his junior school before walking on to DS2's infant school

BonsoirAnna · 02/02/2009 12:22

That's a long way with a buggy. I know, because I did it last year, and my back was knackered after a few months.

FAQtothefuture · 02/02/2009 12:25

a mile really isn't a long way with a buggy (or without actually)

My doctors was just over a mile from my old house and I did the trip frequently (with a buggy) never took more than 20 minutes - and that's allowing for reaching the traffic lights when you've just missed the green man and have to wait for it to go through the whole sequence again.

redskyatnight · 02/02/2009 12:25

My 2 year old (OK she is 3 this week) walked nearly a mile to nursery this morning though the snow.
They soon get used to it ... may even go faster than you if they start running ahead to see friends.

I'd reckon 20 minutes walk but give yourselves extra time at first.

MrsBadger · 02/02/2009 12:27

NB it isn;t a long way with the right buggy

handles too high / low / close together, bar at back to kick etc can all seriously impede efficient pramming

Aniyan · 02/02/2009 12:28

It can also depend on the type of walk. Ds's nursery was a good 20-25 minute walk (he started there when he was 3 & walked most days), but it was a really interesting walk with lots to see, and a lot of it through pedestrianized bits, so he never really complained and it was fine.

The walk to school now is shorter, but it's more of a dull trudge along busy roads and is therefore less fun and, in a way, more tiring.

If you can walk and talk as you go, the journey will seem a lot shorter than if you've got to herd them across busy, noisy roads & shout to be heard over the traffic.

FAQtothefuture · 02/02/2009 12:29

sorry still think you're being a wuss - I've had some of the cheapest and shiitiest pushchairs out there (and I've got short legs hehe) and a mile is nothing

Perhaps we've all become to car dependent if we think that a 5yr old can't walk a mile, or that it's long way..........it's really nothing!

BonsoirAnna · 02/02/2009 12:30

It's the relentless day-in day-out buggy trip that is so knackering. My back would "recover" to some extent over the weekend when I didn't use the buggy.

I think four miles a day with 12 kgs of baby in a buggy, plus a tired 5 year old (probably using a buggy board for part of his 2 mile trip) is a lot. Not impossible, but it will mean significantly cutting back on other trips out with the buggy.

MrsBadger · 02/02/2009 12:31

I was sympathising with Anna - a buggy that makes you hunch can knacker your back if you use it every day, however short the distance.

BonsoirAnna · 02/02/2009 12:33

I've never had a problem with my buggy/height etc. It's the weight of it, plus humping it over endless kerbs (city living) every day (and of course, the trip to school was not the only trip out of the day - we live on foot in this city).

FAQtothefuture · 02/02/2009 12:35

yes I concur when you then walk back with a weeks worth of shopping hanging off the pushchair as well as heavy toddler in there is can be harder work.

BonsoirAnna · 02/02/2009 12:38

Yes, last year there were weeks I did 60-70km on foot with the buggy .

Thank goodness I managed to change sites for DD's school this year (so can take the bus sometimes). And of course, she can now walk a mile easily.

Original poster
smellyeli · 02/02/2009 12:44

Thanks everyone for replies - I know, I know - in the 1970's when I was at infant school I'm sure we all used to do a mile without thinking - I think maybe I have got a bit wussy. Hopefully by September he will be able to ride his scooter for more than 2 minutes without me having to carry it. [irritated but not really angry emoticon] I know he'll be tired on the way home but I'm sure we'll cope - I'm feeling a lot more heartened reading all your replies!The walk is through paths and residential roads, with the option of a return via Waitrose for supplies. Actually, I'm looking forward to it now.

OP posts:
FAQtothefuture · 02/02/2009 13:59

following this thread ShelleyLou (who I know in RL) walked into town, it's 1.11 miles from her house to town and she took her 2yr old (was 2 at the start of Novmber) on foot - it took her 1/2hr

Madmentalbint · 02/02/2009 14:07

My DC's school is one mile away and we walk most mornings. When they were in Reception they struggled a bit some afternoons so I did occassionally park half way. I also found it helped to take a digestive biscuit or a banana to refuel them as soon as school finished.

They are in yr4 and yr2 now and we cycle most days - it takes about 5 mins

CarGirl · 02/02/2009 14:10

Our school is just under a mile away dd4 has walked it (her choice not mine!) since she was just over 2!!!!!!!! I agree make sure you get a pushchair that is easy to use. Now dd4 is on her mini micro scooter (she was 3 in August and started riding it in October) and it only takes 15-20 minutes the older girls either scooter, walk or cycle. We have 5 roads to cross so it would be even quicker without all of those.

ChopsTheDuck · 02/02/2009 14:25

my three year olds use scooters too. And I scooter too! I've told the older two, I'm not pushing two scooters either to or from school, so they alternative, and it means when it's jsut me and the dts all three of us can scooter and do the mile in ten mins!
You can pick up micro scooters really cheaply on amazon for your 5yo. Also, I pushed a 14kg twin pram often with ds1 on it too a mile to school no problems.

motherinferior · 02/02/2009 18:58

Not a problem. She can do it!

DaisySparkle · 02/02/2009 19:14

Mine do it (6yo, 4yo) takes 25 mins. Buggy board useful for 4yo as she gets a little tired (only just 4)- that only works thouygh if you also have a LO in a buggy! Scooters are a great invention!