Walking to school alone?

[Hilary]

What age is appropriate for kids to do this? Today was just Madelynn's 2nd day of kindergarten and I was the only one that I saw who walked their kid to school and stayed there until the bell rang to go inside. :blush: There is no way I'm letting her walk alone while in Kindergarten, but I guess I never really thought about what age is the right age?

[Jayne]

I wouldn't let my kid walk alone to school either (well being in K) But I wouldn't wait till the bell rang to go inside. Our schools have duty aids. They are on the playground at 8:20 (Alyssa's tardy bell rings at 9:05) and you can drop your child anytime after that. I will be allowing Alyssa to ride the bus and she will get there for time on the playground. If she was a walker I would probably take her up around 8:50 and leave her to play for 15 minutes before they went inside. I wouldn't wait for them to go inside.

I think as far as walking on their own. If we were close enough (no streets to cross) I might have let Tylor at 3rd grade. He will be a walker for the first time next year in 7th grade :lol:

[Shel]

I walked from 3rd grade on, but it was always with a big group of kids from the neighborhood. I wouldn't let any of my kids walk unless they were with a big group, and even then I'm so paranoid I'd probably follow along in the car :giggle:

[Hilary]

:giggle: Shel!

Jayne, I stayed today because she couldn't remember where her door was to line up. I will try to leave earlier tomorrow if she'll let me!

There is only one street she has to cross and there's a crossing guard there, but I still think I will wait. :lol: I have to walk Ava in 2 years anyway, so I am sure I'll be walking there for awhile.

[Connie1222]

In kindergarten?? No way! Last year, before the bus started, I was walking Jack to school & even though parents arent't allowed to go in, I did anyway. You're supposed to walk them to the door of the cafeteria and then they go to their class table. I had to make sure Jack knew where to go & that their aide was at the table. I only did that 2 days. The following week, the bus started.

I walked to school with my brother in the 2nd grade (he was in 3rd).

[Alysia]

I walked from 1st grade on and always had a friend with me. (Of course that was eons ago.)

Genavieve won't be able to walk. We live off of the State Hwy and I wouldnt let her walk down that by herself.

[Barb]

I think kindergarten is too young to walk by themselves. Greg and I take turns walking Liam to school. And right now we're still walking him to the classroom, but I don't think we'll always have to do that... maybe for another week or so.

[Mary DK]

I was thinking maybe 3rd grade but then again when E is in 3rd grade Ian will be (possibly) starting K so I'll be walking Ian then.

Last year I saw many K kids from the neighborhood walking by themselves or with siblings but to tell you the truth I won't be letting Ian walk with E b/c I have seen many older siblings not taking care of their little siblings (K & 1st grade) and to tell you the truth I don't believe that should be their responsability.

[Hilary]

Last year I saw many K kids from the neighborhood walking by themselves or with siblings but to tell you the truth I won't be letting Ian walk with E b/c I have seen many older siblings not taking care of their little siblings (K & 1st grade) and to tell you the truth I don't believe that should be their responsability.
:nod: I feel the same way. I was thinking 3rd grade is good too. So, by the time I'm done walking Ava Madelynn will be in 5th grade. :lol:

[Jillian]

It would really depend on how close we were. Janelle would have to cross an on ramp and an exit ramp to a major highway, so I wouldn't even let her walk in high school.

[Hilary]

Yeah, :lol: Not a good idea, Jillian.

We just walk past 2 houses on our street, turn, walk 1 block, cross the street (with the crossing guard), and then you can see the school, there's a big church there and we walk thru the parking lot to the soccer field and onto the playground. I should also mention the population here is only 8,000, so it's not like there is a ton of traffic.

Madelynn complained on the way home. :lol: She wants to take the bus.

[Clare]

Even if I wanted to let my kindergartener walk to school alone I wouldn't be allowed. The children have to be accompanied to and from the classroom, we have to wait with them until the bell rings when we hand them to the teacher and in the afternoon the teacher hands them back to a parent or guardian.

That being said, I wouldn't allow them to walk to school alone till they are much older, 5th grade being the earliest that I would consider it I guess. But when Emily is in 5th grade, Sam will only be in 1st grade so I don't think it will happen for her till she gets to high school.

[Cami]

Well obviously it depends on how long of a walk it is, but there's no way I'd let my K kid walk to school alone! Last year Addison's best friend lived two houses down from the school and her mom walked her every day. (of course, she also left the baby brother home alone in his crib while she did this!!) :crazy:

I have no idea when I would allow it. Third grade even seems young (to me now) but maybe it would make sense by the time they are that age. I wouldn't have thought "third grade" if not for reading the previous responses.

Addison's current school requires parents to walk in with their kids and to pick them up from the classroom.

[MrsPeacefrog]

I started in 5th grade, and would probably feel comfortable with the distance we are from the school for them to do it from that age too. Although it probably won't ever happen for the older kids during their primary school years as I will be driving the younger ones to school anyway so there would be no point. But I am sure Jacob and the baby will get the opportunity if they wanted to walk when they are around that age.

[Karri]

I'd say 5th grade.

[Michal]

I walked with my brother or a friend and even sometimes alone in K, but I won't be doing that with my kids. I am not sure at what age I will comfortable letting them walk alone, I'll have to play that one by ear.

[MamaGoofy]

David asked me this the other day. I told him NO WAY was he going to walk to school right now. 1)There is a busy street to cross even with a crossing guard..just not feeling it. 2). He's to young. If someone was to try and take him..that would be it. I told him when he was in 3rd grade we could discuss it. There are plenty of children walking to school around here so I am not afraid of him being alone (he could also ride his bike). It will depend on his maturity and what's going on in the area.

We live close enough to the elementary school and middle school that he will be walking and/or riding his bike until he goes to high school (9th grade). I told him not to rush it. :lol:

[Clare]

There is a mother at our school who lets her boys (3rd and 5th graders) ride their bikes to school and she drives along beside them very slowly :lol:

[Hilary]

lol! That will be me. :blush: