At what age would you let two sisters...

[emkana]

... go to the shop alone? It's about 250 metres away, you have to cross a fairly busy road and then go down an alleyway.

they are now 4 and 6, so def too young IMO, but was pondering at what age they could do it? Am thinking 7 and 9?

Mine are 7 and I wouldn't.

for me, it would depend very much on that road. I think they would have to be a fair bit older than that before I trusted them with the road.

My ds was 10 before he was allowed to go by himself (3 min walk, no busy roads)

11 or 10

Road def the issue for me, I let my 10/11 year old take her 5 year old sister but there is no busy road to cross without a proper crossing IYSWIM

dd1 is 8 and cant go yet. the road is too busy. apparently they can judge traffic properly until age 10.

My 10 and 8yos go together, and the 10yo goes on her own, but not the 8yo.

Would be more worried about them being dragged into a car!

I used to walk myself to school at age 6. But wasn't allowed to shop on my own because of busy road, had to go with my brother who was 8. What I must remember is - roads weren't as busy years ago!

I wouldn't let ds go across road near us until 10 plus, only beacuse of lack of pedestrian crossing.

Busy road - around 11/12 depending on the maturity of the child.

Think i would say 10/11 with me standing at the door to watch the whole way.

11/12 before i let them do it without me panicing the entire time.

Mine are 7 and 9. DS1 goes to the shop for bread, have just started this. He crosses a very busy road but the shop is only on the corner to us.
Have sent them both to Grandma's (once - I was feeling brave) I crossed them over busy side road and waved them across the crossing on the main road, they then walked 5 mins down the main road and down Grannies road which they also have to cross

They phoned as soon as they got there. It was the longest 8 mins of my life

The thread moved fast while I was typing, was only the OP when I started

But Mamazon they will need to practice before they start senior school, unless you plan to drive them every day

The road is an issue, but for me, it's also about the personality of the child.

I think 7 and 9 would be OK but it would depend very much on how safely they can cross the road.

I was happy? letting them 'practice' alone on roads in the last term of y6. They seemed to be ok with that.

When is senior school? i thought that was at 12?

my opinion is probably a bit off anyway as ds has Sn so i doubt i will be trsuting him to shop at 35 lol

DS1 was just 11 when he started at secondary.

We have the same thing sort of route to our shop. DD1 (10) is allowed to go by herself. In theory, I think I would allow DD2 (8) to go with her but situation has not yet arisen.
DD3 (5) NO WAY.

I would say 8/9 is OK. Seems like I am quite slack compared to some people on here. My thinking is that by 10 they will soon be teenagers and will want a lot more freedom. I would feel happier about them being out and about as teenagers if they'd had a few years of "independence" first.

from about the age of 7/8 I would let them go if there are no busy roads.

But with a busy road, I would say a lot older.

12? Really? How can they be expected to organise themselves at school to the level expected in year 8 if they've never crossed a road on their own before?

I'd say more like 9 - given ds1's temperament (and with me standing in the doorway the first few times)

Absolutely Colditz.

I think 7 and 9 would be fine - depending on the road. Is there a proper crossing?

I'd take them as far as the road a few times and let them cross themselves to see how they manage, wait and cross them back. Once you're happy let them do it themselves.

ds1 walked to/from school alone at 8. About half a mile, several side streets to cross and a busy road although the crossing warden was there.