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Parenting

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Original poster

Does/would yr Year 4 child walk to school without you?

15 replies

Clary · 22/05/2010 01:24

I ask because DD has started this week walking up with a friend.

She has been keen for a while and it was more a case of finding a friend going the right way IYSWIM.

DS1 is nearly 11 (DD is 9 next month) and he has been walking up to a pal's house all this school year (yr 6) which I felt was well overdue (after all he goes to 2ndary in Sept) but he wasn't keen before.

Sooo anyway, I mentioned the new walking by DD (incidentally it's a 7 min walk, one biggish residential road to cross but lots of other people doign that at 10 to 9; plus me and DS2 could see them all the way up ) to a pal with a DD a lot older in the same yr and could see she was a bit

Is this OK or am I abandoning parental resp all of a sudden? (DS1 has also started going to rec with pals this summer...)

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carocaro · 22/05/2010 08:31

DS1 is in year 3 and I would not let him walk because no one is near us who could buddy up, he is away with the fairies sometimes thinking about Star Wars wandering into the road, plus is too long a walk.

But there are several kids in his class who much live nearer school and buddy up, like yours the route is busy with parents and kids and one Mum walks behind a few hundred yards withe her other kids. The she always check they are both in the classromm before leaving the school grounds.

I'd be hesitant about her doing it solo, but lurking behind her would be a good idea or finding her a pal.

Tee2072 · 22/05/2010 08:35

I think it depends on the child. As carocaro says, she wouldn't let her DS do so as his heads are in the clouds, but if you have a sensible child? I think 9 or 10 is the perfect age.

My niece is 10 (just turned last month) and she walks her and her sister (who will be 7 next month) home from school every day. They just started doing this about 2 weeks ago and my big niece thinks its brill!

swallowedAfly · 22/05/2010 08:44

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Trafficcone · 22/05/2010 08:54

My year 4 walks to and from school alone or with mates. He's an older yr 4 though as he turned 9 in Sept. His yr6 sister still insists on Daddy walking her so he can carry her bags for her! sigh

roisin · 22/05/2010 09:15

Hi Clary. How are you?

ds2 started walking in yr3, though it's probably quieter here. He has to go c.0.6 mile and cross 4 roads. Only one was a busy one though, and as you say, lots of other children crossing at that place at that time of day.

In yr4 he was allowed to go down town on his own; for "specific" trips, not just loitering: - to the library, or to Toymaster to buy Yu-gi-oh cards.

Oh, also at the age of 8 he was "allowed" to walk to the co-op to fetch bread/milk, whatever for me. It's about 0.5 mile, 3 fairly busy roads - but all with zebras or pelicans, plus one smaller/quieter residential road.

As I think you know, I believe in independence and freedom!

ChasingSquirrels · 22/05/2010 09:26

depends on the child and the environment.
I'd let my yr 2 ds walk to school on his own - but he doesn't want to, and from next year I'll be taking ds2 to reception, so I'll be going anyway.

BridesheadRegardless · 22/05/2010 09:36

No I wouldn't, but I am overly anxious and there are a number or roads to cross.

I don't let ds in Yr5 walk and am dreading him wanting to next year in Yr6. I think i would feel differently if I lived somewhere quieter though.

RubberDuck · 22/05/2010 09:45

My ds1 started doing this with a friend (just on the walk TO school, not on the way back) in Year 3. He's in Year 4 now. No roads to cross, 5 min walk, I'm there 10 mins later with ds2 to check he's reached the playground okay.

Not sure how I'll feel when ds2 gets to that age though as he's far less reliable!! I think it depends so much on the individual circumstances and child. My attitude is that by the time they reach secondary (not all that far off, eep) they're going to have to make their own way, with a lot further distance and busy roads to cross, so having a little freedom now is good for them.

Original poster

Clary · 22/05/2010 09:59

Thanks for support all! I was a bit panicky after my pal's shock!

Hello Roisin yes I'm with you on independence. I luuurve the "pop to the shops" thing - DS1 has been doing that for a while and it's fab if I'm busy cooking etc.

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cornsilkcottagecheese · 22/05/2010 10:02

No 'cos the road is busy, but I would be fine about it if we lived somewhere quieter

Amapoleon · 22/05/2010 10:02

Mine doesn't but a lot of her friends do. They even get on buses etc. We live too far away from her school.

In Gibraltar where dd goes to school, it is like stepping back in time, the kids have far more independence there as the parents feel that the community is a safe one. There are still what we would have called latch key kids, I wouldn't go that far though.

NoahAndTheWhale · 22/05/2010 10:06

I'm thinking about this when DS is a bit older (he is in year 1 at the moment). We're moving soon and will be about 5 minutes walk from school with only one road to cross. DD will be in reception in September so I would be going along anyway though.

I know some year 4 children at DS's school who walk on their own - DS thinks this is very grownup There are middle schools here from year 5 and all the children there either walk on their own or get school bus. I think parents are allowed for the first week

Smalline · 22/05/2010 13:03

My DS who is in year 4 has been begging me to let him walk to school by himself for the past 6 months (he will be 10 in October).

I would let him if we lived in a quieter area, but he has 3 major roads to cross, so for now, I let him walk a good few steps in front of us (myself & DD year 2), and can watch him while he crosses the roads.

CarGirl · 22/05/2010 13:06

All depends on crossing the road, I'd see them over the road if there is no crossing and then go back home?

My dd walked to and from school in year 4 but there are lollipop people on both roads.

Bobbalina · 22/05/2010 13:16

I have started to let my Y5 dd walk home alone once a week - it is nearly a mile and there are difficult roads to cross but we have rehearsed a "safe" route of best places to cross the road etc. Several others in her year walk home alone.

It has really boosted my dd's confidence.

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