From the article: Celebrate Walk to School Day
It used to be a given: Kids walked to school, end of story (usually uphill, both ways). These days, it's not so simple. Homes and schools are more spread out; children may attend private or out-of-district schools; parents perceive neighborhoods as less safe. What do you think, and what do you do? Does your child walk to school? Why or why not? Do you think contemporary parents coddle their kids too much? Share Your Thoughts
Too far
- I am sahring my story as we are trying to fight to get my child on a bus. Expectations are that JK-Grade 8 can walk 1.6 klm to and from school.....I am furious! I feel like a young child deserves the right to a bus when they do have the elements against them, heavy back-packs and such long days as it is. My daughter crosses streets frequently, however who says she will remember how to do so when she is freezing cold or tired! I am scared! For those parents who have the luxury of not working and able to drive your kids or walk them......your lucky!!!!
- —Guest Kelly
Safety Solution
- There so many reasons why our kids walk and don't want to walk to school regardless of what reason they have the most important thing to consider is their safety. I found this blog it's about a mother concerning her kids personal security. To know more follow this link http://tidbitsfromamom.blogspot.com/2011/08/safekidzone-review-protecting-your.html
- —Guest MaileySmith
It would take almost as long to drive
- I walk my kids to their elementary school every day. It's not as virtuous as it might sound -- we live about 4 blocks away from the school. We'll see how things change when my son starts middle school, about a mile away, in a few years. We won't be eligible for bus service then, but I wonder how comfortable I'll be letting him walk to or from school by himself or with friends.
- —Guest Suzanne
Heavy backpacks
- The sad thing is, by the time my kids were old enough to walk themselves to school - and the school they attended was near enough to make that viable, their backpacks were too heavy... Perhaps instead of all those expensive club sports they do, I should have had them do weight-training with their bookbags? And lift! And bend! And lift! And bend!
- —parentingyoungadults
Preschool hiker
- My daughter goes to preschool 4 blocks up a very very VERY steep hill. She walks with me most of the way. Sometimes I carry her if we're running late. We live in the city and don't have a car. I guess I could call a car service and pay $10 to get a drop off (and if it's pouring out I may just have to do that someday) YIKES!
- —Guest Jess
no and yes
- no, my daughter doesn't walk to school, and honestly it isn't very practical: it's about 3 miles (uphill both ways). but we also walk her to the bus stop and pick her up, though it's a short walk, a safe neighborhood, and she's ten years old. Why? Because EVERYBODY walks their child to the bus stop -- and I'd hate to be seen as the neighborhood "bad parent."
- —Guest Lisa
Not right now, but eventually
- My kids are 7 & 4 right now, and I'm just not confident that my 7-year-old is ready to walk to school by himself. I try to walk with him when I'm able, but I have several health problems and it's not always something I can do. We live 11 blocks from the school, so eventually, when they're old enough, my kids will walk to school when the weather's not too bad. I think it's great for them to have that exercise built into their day. I also think they're more confident and have better self esteem when we allow them an appropriate amount of independence. I feel guilty when I drive down to pick up my son and see other parents walking, and I'm hoping that I'll be able to improve my health enough to be able to walk them either to or from school on most days until they're old enough to do it on their own.
- —Adrienne110
Friday Treat
- We are lucky enough to have bus service. However, on Fridays, my children are allowed to walk home with their friends. They often stop to get something to eat and it is a nice way to end the week.
- —Guest BBB
