Do you let your kids walk to school?

24

Comments

  • Yes.
    mcgruff10 said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    I would definitely allow them to walk to school but we living in a busing district. I don't think you are allowed to walk to school. 
    Not allowed?? That's completely bizarre. 
    yeah we have courtesy busing so they aren't allowed to walk to school.  of course parents can drop off and pick up their child.
    so if a kid were to walk to school, what would happen?
    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

    www.headstonesband.com




  • jeffbrjeffbr Posts: 7,177
    No.
    PJ_Soul said:
    jeffbr said:
    Haha, it is strange that people seem to be arguing that you should put kids in harms way to teach them a lesson and not shelter them. Good one! I wasn't going to send my kids down a 2 lane, 55mph state highway with narrow shoulders. And somehow, exercising that caution, my kids still ended up being successful and independent. Crazy, I know! 
    That isn't what I'm saying at all. I'm saying kids can be taught how to avoid harm's way, within reason. And yeah, kids walking down a busy two-lane highway with no sidewalk crosses a line. I'm not suggesting that parents don't use common sense, geez.
    I guess I just misinterpreted your previous comment where you said:
    "But I'd say that traffic concerns are well below that line. Any kid can learn how to be cautious and safe even in crazy traffic. Unless people are regularly driving up on the sidewalk and mowing people down, I don't really see how traffic is a reason to keep a kid from walking to school, just as long as they know how to deal with it"

    I was responding to that. I didn't feel like my 5 - 11 year olds should be strolling the shoulder of the highway. Especially when no other children walked that route to school. Had school been closer, and not just off of a highway, they'd have walked. As it was, they took a bus and were happy to hang out with their friends on the way to school.

    Bottom line for me is that parenting is situational, and we should exercise our best judgement to keep them safe, and help them become independent and successful adults someday. How we get from here to there varies based on myriad circumstances.
    "I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/08
  • jeffbrjeffbr Posts: 7,177
    No.
    jeffbr said:
    Haha, it is strange that people seem to be arguing that you should put kids in harms way to teach them a lesson and not shelter them. Good one! I wasn't going to send my kids down a 2 lane, 55mph state highway with narrow shoulders. And somehow, exercising that caution, my kids still ended up being successful and independent. Crazy, I know! 
    No, that's not what anyone is arguing. 
    I'm glad to hear it! I interpreted it differently. 
    "I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/08
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,950
    edited June 2017
    mcgruff10 said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    I would definitely allow them to walk to school but we living in a busing district. I don't think you are allowed to walk to school. 
    Not allowed?? That's completely bizarre. 
    yeah we have courtesy busing so they aren't allowed to walk to school.  of course parents can drop off and pick up their child.
    Wow. I'd fight that, personally. Just the exercise factor alone makes it crazy to actually force kids to get a ride to school. So what do they do if your kid does walk to school? How would they enforce this dumb rule?
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • tempo_n_groovetempo_n_groove Posts: 40,355
    PJ_Soul said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    I would definitely allow them to walk to school but we living in a busing district. I don't think you are allowed to walk to school. 
    Not allowed?? That's completely bizarre. 
    yeah we have courtesy busing so they aren't allowed to walk to school.  of course parents can drop off and pick up their child.
    Wow. I'd fight that, personally. Just the exercise factor alone makes it crazy to actually force kids to get a ride to school. So what do they do if your kid does walk to school? How would they enforce this dumb rule?
    Is the school liable for your kids to and from school?  If so then I understand the busing.
  • mcgruff10mcgruff10 Posts: 28,496
    PJ_Soul said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    I would definitely allow them to walk to school but we living in a busing district. I don't think you are allowed to walk to school. 
    Not allowed?? That's completely bizarre. 
    yeah we have courtesy busing so they aren't allowed to walk to school.  of course parents can drop off and pick up their child.
    Wow. I'd fight that, personally. Just the exercise factor alone makes it crazy to actually force kids to get a ride to school. So what do they do if your kid does walk to school? How would they enforce this dumb rule?
    They don't walk to school.  In my 15 years in district there's been zero issues.  
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,950
    mcgruff10 said:
    PJ_Soul said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    I would definitely allow them to walk to school but we living in a busing district. I don't think you are allowed to walk to school. 
    Not allowed?? That's completely bizarre. 
    yeah we have courtesy busing so they aren't allowed to walk to school.  of course parents can drop off and pick up their child.
    Wow. I'd fight that, personally. Just the exercise factor alone makes it crazy to actually force kids to get a ride to school. So what do they do if your kid does walk to school? How would they enforce this dumb rule?
    They don't walk to school.  In my 15 years in district there's been zero issues.  
    I'm just wondering hypothetically. Do they just say "do this", but actually there aren't any consequences if you don't? Just wondering, since you said you'd have your kids walk to school if it weren't for this silly rule.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • mcgruff10mcgruff10 Posts: 28,496
    PJ_Soul said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    PJ_Soul said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    I would definitely allow them to walk to school but we living in a busing district. I don't think you are allowed to walk to school. 
    Not allowed?? That's completely bizarre. 
    yeah we have courtesy busing so they aren't allowed to walk to school.  of course parents can drop off and pick up their child.
    Wow. I'd fight that, personally. Just the exercise factor alone makes it crazy to actually force kids to get a ride to school. So what do they do if your kid does walk to school? How would they enforce this dumb rule?
    They don't walk to school.  In my 15 years in district there's been zero issues.  
    I'm just wondering hypothetically. Do they just say "do this", but actually there aren't any consequences if you don't? Just wondering, since you said you'd have your kids walk to school if it weren't for this silly rule.
    I m not sure what the consequences would be. 
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • mcgruff10mcgruff10 Posts: 28,496
    Allie, I d have my kids walk to school if we were close but we are way too far for them to walk. Plus a lot of developments and main roads don't have side walks. 
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,950
    mcgruff10 said:
    Allie, I d have my kids walk to school if we were close but we are way too far for them to walk. Plus a lot of developments and main roads don't have side walks. 
    Ah, I see. Yeah, if it's TOO far, you'll end up with adult kids who will tell anyone who will listen that their mom and dad used to force them to walk miles and miles to school, up hill both ways, lol.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • mcgruff10mcgruff10 Posts: 28,496
    PJ_Soul said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    Allie, I d have my kids walk to school if we were close but we are way too far for them to walk. Plus a lot of developments and main roads don't have side walks. 
    Ah, I see. Yeah, if it's TOO far, you'll end up with adult kids who will tell anyone who will listen that their mom and dad used to force them to walk miles and miles to school, up hill both ways, lol.
    Exactly! Lol
    i think we are six miles to the middle school and 3 miles to the k-2 school and maybe 2 1/2 miles to the 3-5 school. 
    I grew up in a one square mile town and my ass walked to school everyday starting in second grade.  
    I'll ride the wave where it takes me......
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,950
    mcgruff10 said:
    PJ_Soul said:
    mcgruff10 said:
    Allie, I d have my kids walk to school if we were close but we are way too far for them to walk. Plus a lot of developments and main roads don't have side walks. 
    Ah, I see. Yeah, if it's TOO far, you'll end up with adult kids who will tell anyone who will listen that their mom and dad used to force them to walk miles and miles to school, up hill both ways, lol.
    Exactly! Lol
    i think we are six miles to the middle school and 3 miles to the k-2 school and maybe 2 1/2 miles to the 3-5 school. 
    I grew up in a one square mile town and my ass walked to school everyday starting in second grade.  
    Yes, that's way too far. I walked to school since the first day of kindergarten (with other 5 year old friends), but the walk was only about 15 minutes or so, on tiny little legs.
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • tbergstbergs Posts: 9,810
    No.
    I can't believe this thread turned in to an argument, but I guess when parenting decisions are involved it's always a risk.
    It's a hopeless situation...
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,950
    edited June 2017
    jeffbr said:
    PJ_Soul said:
    jeffbr said:
    Haha, it is strange that people seem to be arguing that you should put kids in harms way to teach them a lesson and not shelter them. Good one! I wasn't going to send my kids down a 2 lane, 55mph state highway with narrow shoulders. And somehow, exercising that caution, my kids still ended up being successful and independent. Crazy, I know! 
    That isn't what I'm saying at all. I'm saying kids can be taught how to avoid harm's way, within reason. And yeah, kids walking down a busy two-lane highway with no sidewalk crosses a line. I'm not suggesting that parents don't use common sense, geez.
    I guess I just misinterpreted your previous comment where you said:
    "But I'd say that traffic concerns are well below that line. Any kid can learn how to be cautious and safe even in crazy traffic. Unless people are regularly driving up on the sidewalk and mowing people down, I don't really see how traffic is a reason to keep a kid from walking to school, just as long as they know how to deal with it"

    I was responding to that. I didn't feel like my 5 - 11 year olds should be strolling the shoulder of the highway. Especially when no other children walked that route to school. Had school been closer, and not just off of a highway, they'd have walked. As it was, they took a bus and were happy to hang out with their friends on the way to school.

    Bottom line for me is that parenting is situational, and we should exercise our best judgement to keep them safe, and help them become independent and successful adults someday. How we get from here to there varies based on myriad circumstances.
    I guess I just figured everyone would read that under the assumption that common sense would be used too. I don't think it's really ideal for full grown adults to walk a narrow shoulder on a busy highway, let alone kids. When I see people doing that I wonder if there is something wrong with them, lol. Mostly because there is generally nowhere for them to go if a car does veer off. Narrow shoulders on highways aren't meant to be walkable, so I don't expect anyone to be walking on them... ;)
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
  • Yes.
    jeffbr said:
    PJ_Soul said:
    jeffbr said:
    Haha, it is strange that people seem to be arguing that you should put kids in harms way to teach them a lesson and not shelter them. Good one! I wasn't going to send my kids down a 2 lane, 55mph state highway with narrow shoulders. And somehow, exercising that caution, my kids still ended up being successful and independent. Crazy, I know! 
    That isn't what I'm saying at all. I'm saying kids can be taught how to avoid harm's way, within reason. And yeah, kids walking down a busy two-lane highway with no sidewalk crosses a line. I'm not suggesting that parents don't use common sense, geez.
    I guess I just misinterpreted your previous comment where you said:
    "But I'd say that traffic concerns are well below that line. Any kid can learn how to be cautious and safe even in crazy traffic. Unless people are regularly driving up on the sidewalk and mowing people down, I don't really see how traffic is a reason to keep a kid from walking to school, just as long as they know how to deal with it"

    I was responding to that. I didn't feel like my 5 - 11 year olds should be strolling the shoulder of the highway. Especially when no other children walked that route to school. Had school been closer, and not just off of a highway, they'd have walked. As it was, they took a bus and were happy to hang out with their friends on the way to school.

    Bottom line for me is that parenting is situational, and we should exercise our best judgement to keep them safe, and help them become independent and successful adults someday. How we get from here to there varies based on myriad circumstances.
    common sense would dictate she's referring to a residential road with sidewalks and road signs/lights. 
    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

    www.headstonesband.com




  • There is no poll option for "Depends on the age".

  • jeffbrjeffbr Posts: 7,177
    No.
    jeffbr said:
    PJ_Soul said:
    jeffbr said:
    Haha, it is strange that people seem to be arguing that you should put kids in harms way to teach them a lesson and not shelter them. Good one! I wasn't going to send my kids down a 2 lane, 55mph state highway with narrow shoulders. And somehow, exercising that caution, my kids still ended up being successful and independent. Crazy, I know! 
    That isn't what I'm saying at all. I'm saying kids can be taught how to avoid harm's way, within reason. And yeah, kids walking down a busy two-lane highway with no sidewalk crosses a line. I'm not suggesting that parents don't use common sense, geez.
    I guess I just misinterpreted your previous comment where you said:
    "But I'd say that traffic concerns are well below that line. Any kid can learn how to be cautious and safe even in crazy traffic. Unless people are regularly driving up on the sidewalk and mowing people down, I don't really see how traffic is a reason to keep a kid from walking to school, just as long as they know how to deal with it"

    I was responding to that. I didn't feel like my 5 - 11 year olds should be strolling the shoulder of the highway. Especially when no other children walked that route to school. Had school been closer, and not just off of a highway, they'd have walked. As it was, they took a bus and were happy to hang out with their friends on the way to school.

    Bottom line for me is that parenting is situational, and we should exercise our best judgement to keep them safe, and help them become independent and successful adults someday. How we get from here to there varies based on myriad circumstances.
    common sense would dictate she's referring to a residential road with sidewalks and road signs/lights. 
    Common sense is subjective, and often lacking. Frequently with regards to parenting. Because I don't like making assumptions, I challenge things that strike me as odd. And I'm happy that it was a misinterpretation on my part.
    "I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/08
  • Jason PJason P Posts: 19,138
    I worked with a guy who grew up during the '67 Detroit riots and his Dad gave him a pipe to hide in his trousers and sent him off to walk to school.  Told him to whack anyone who came at him.  Life is different on 8 mile.  
  • As they say - "If sense was common everyone would have it".
  • oftenreadingoftenreading Posts: 12,845
    Yes.
    jeffbr said:
    jeffbr said:
    Haha, it is strange that people seem to be arguing that you should put kids in harms way to teach them a lesson and not shelter them. Good one! I wasn't going to send my kids down a 2 lane, 55mph state highway with narrow shoulders. And somehow, exercising that caution, my kids still ended up being successful and independent. Crazy, I know! 
    No, that's not what anyone is arguing. 
    I'm glad to hear it! I interpreted it differently. 
    Yeah, no one is arguing that kids should walk down the shoulder of the highway. No one should do that. Residential neighbourhoods, or even commercial with sidewalks, would be what we're talking about. 
     
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • oftenreadingoftenreading Posts: 12,845
    Yes.
    PJPOWER said:
    My kiddo is not old enough, but I would have no problem letting him walk to school.  I would have more of an issue letting a daughter roam around the mall.
    Actually, coming back to this, what raises your concern about letting a daughter roam around the mall? (aside from rampant materialism)
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • oftenreadingoftenreading Posts: 12,845
    Yes.
    i might have to print this thread out. priceless.
    What about it is priceless?
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • i might have to print this thread out. priceless.
    What about it is priceless?

    The drama.
  • oftenreadingoftenreading Posts: 12,845
    Yes.
    i might have to print this thread out. priceless.
    What about it is priceless?

    The drama.
    There was drama? Where?
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • PJfanwillneverleave1PJfanwillneverleave1 Posts: 12,885
    edited June 2017
    ^^^

    Nowhere.  Nevermind.
    I just think there should be a 15min rule before editing and adding a paragraph to a post perhaps.
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,031
    There is no poll option for "Depends on the age".

    Nor "Depends on where you live".

    I never had kids but I home schooled one of my nephews for a year so that doesn't count. 

    I walked to school but that was 800 years ago and I almost always went with siblings of friends.  More fun with friends because we could get away things like throwing M-80's down (unoccupied) manhole covers without my brother ratting on me.
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • This thread is funny because it has parents and non-parents speaking.
    In AMT that is fire.
    I could suggest that the sky is pink as a parent and I would receive many colourful responses.
  • oftenreadingoftenreading Posts: 12,845
    Yes.
    "Pink as a parent"? Aren't you being a bit ...... racist? Other colours can be parents, too.
    my small self... like a book amongst the many on a shelf
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,031
    This thread is funny because it has parents and non-parents speaking.
    In AMT that is fire.
    I could suggest that the sky is pink as a parent and I would receive many colourful responses.
    Ah!  But it's true!


    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    This thread is funny because it has parents and non-parents speaking.
    In AMT that is fire.
    I could suggest that the sky is pink as a parent and I would receive many colourful responses.
    Actually, as a non-parent, it's kind of fucked up for anyone to say (or imply) that non-parents shouldn't respond. 

    So...non-parent here!  But, I was a kid years ago.

    My first elementary school was one block from our home at the time, second one the same  My mom may or may have not followed me there ninja-like to make sure I got there OK, but at seven years old?  Different times of course.  Safe.  Short walk, neighbors knew each other.  Grab a friend from our street along the way.  I get others have lived differently, as children and those with kiddos.  Just relaying my history and how my parents (and, through them, I as well) chose and view the childhood lived.

    Bused it to my Jr. High and skateboarded to Sr.  LOVED IT.

    Within those years, in my supposedly safe neighborhood, I avoided traffic shit yet was subjected to four separate occasions of male drivers cruising up next to me, furiously jerking off.  I found each of them a mix of amusing (as in, "whoa, really?") and sad.


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