How young it too young to walk home from school

Yvonne - posted on 09/05/2009

Yes it does depend on where you live & how far away. If she walks with friends that would be good. Is there someone she can ring or text whenI she gets home? Just drum in dont talk strangers go to shop for help if hassled, dont answer door etc....Good luck my daughter was about 10.

Jakki - posted on 09/04/2009

It really depends on which country or state you are in and what is the norm where you live. I'm told that in Europe kids of 5 walk to school alone, and because there are so many people out on the streets, it's safe and no one questions it. Here in Australia more and more people are driving their kids everywhere, so the kids don't get used to being on their own. i don't like this trend!



But anyway, in my opinion for where I live, a 10 year old is big enough to walk home alone, especially if they want to and other kids their age are doing it.



The vast majority of violence towards children happens in the home by "friends" and family. Where I live (Australia), the number of kids who have been abducted or hurt by strangers is minuscule. You'd be much more likely to be hurt in a car crash.

Ruth - posted on 09/04/2009

there is no longer a thing called a safe neighborhood. do you ever watch nancy grace or the news??? kids get snatched out of their own beds or parks anymore even walking just a few blocks away from home. better to be safe than sorry.

Michelle - posted on 09/04/2009

I have watched some many specials where they show kids standing there in shock as one of their friends is taken. I think that if you are questioning whether it is the right thing to do then you know it isn't. I believe that any inconvenience caused by having to pick her up is made up by the knowledge that she will get home safe everyday.

Gaylene - posted on 09/04/2009

I would never let my kids walk home from school, no matter how safe you think the neighborhood is! You do no know who is hanging around at every moment. Not a good idea.

Kathy - posted on 09/04/2009

Get the phone and restrict her usage. I was primitive to the notion of what is allowed at a particular age, but when it came to my daughter's safety, I got the phone.

Kathy - posted on 09/04/2009

Quoting Kathy:

How young it too young to walk home from school

I have four kids 24,16,13,10 the two middle kids are my step-kids and with us every other week the oldest is at university and the youngest wants to walk home on her own.
I am planning on getting a cell phone for emergencies but her bf believes she is too young, there are a lot of kids walking home in the same direction so I feel like she is going to be safe.
Her father does not live in the same city and it is only every other week that she is on her own and I am home by four thirty and there are times her sf will be home when she gets there.
Any help would be appreciated. School to home is around ten minutes about five blocks in a very safe neighbourhood.

Lisa - posted on 09/04/2009

i may be a little over protective but unless there are crossing guards or other parents you can trust to keep an eye out for your child between school and home i would say no, children always think they know more then their parents, think about it this way, if your child was taken would it be worth it? too many kidnappings in this world today, also 10 is too young to be home alone, there are way too many things that could happen that a child that age would not know how to respond to on their own

Jennifer - posted on 09/04/2009

My 8 year old daughter walks to and from school by herself. Oftentimes she meets up with friends. We live in a very safe neighborhood less than 10 minutes away with little traffic. Someone is always at home when she gets there, however. I do not know how comfortable I would be having her at home by herself. Maturity level of the child needs to be considered--my daughter is remarkably mature.

Laura - posted on 09/03/2009

Hmmm, well I might be the bad mom here but my kids walk to and from school everyday. We live close, very close. We live behind a house that's across the street from the school that my daughter (9) now goes to and then my two boys (8 and 5) go to the school just past my daughters, so they are on the same "campus" just two seperate buildings. I'm picking them up after school (walking) everyday after school for the first month so that they can stay and play for awhile. Their rules are that they have to make the crossing guard and they have to walk in front of the school where there are parents and the principal. Had a situation with an older kid last year when they walked behind the school. There are kids in our neighborhood that have quite a bit longer distance to go but they are all riding their bikes, scooters, walking, they all go right by my house. I only drive them if it's raining, or if it's bitterly cold, or windy in winter. But if the suns shining and it's at least 25 degrees F they are walking. Makes for a great start to their day. Helps with self reliance, self esteem, gives responsibility and as long as it's a safe route where there aren't bullies, make sure she feels comfortable doing it then go for it. I agree that there should be a person that she can contact or go to in the neighborhood if no ones home or a problem arises. I do this for two of my neighbors.

Sylvia - posted on 09/03/2009

Anything under 10. No matter what.

Puaihina - posted on 09/03/2009

i am mayby over protect my boys but i do not care i take my children to school my older son he drive i told him to pick up his brothers after school of course he does not want to but it is a rule in my house that he need to pick up his brother or no car to drive, anyway his college is next door the high school but the time is different, to me does not matter i do not trust no one it is very scary out there we need to teach our children to be safe all the time but our children sometime they want they way. how many kids that walk home lives by your neighor?, how far other children go and be separate from your child?, even 10mn it take the stupid people take your child a second

Debbie - posted on 09/02/2009

Well, there are at least two things to consider here. If there is a situation where your 10 year needs you or her sf there asap, will you be available or at work? Jus because there are several kids walking home doesn't make it safer. After school is when bullies like to take the turn with kids walking home by themselves. Is there a neighbor whose kids also go to the same school? Are you friends? Can you pow wow with her to see if you kid could go to her house until you or her sf is home? Your daughter will need access to a responsible adult immediately if a circumstance occurs walking home from school. The other alternative is Homeschool. You never have to worry about bullies or stangers and it builds strong family bonds. I did it for 14 years and never regretted a moment.