Remember When Kids Used to Walk to School?

' + title + ' - ' + basename(imgurl) + '(' + w + 'x' + h +')

' + title + ' - ' + basename(imgurl) + '(' + w + 'x' + h +') — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 10:44:39 GMT

Pingback from ' + title + ' - ' + basename(imgurl) + '(' + w + 'x' + h +')

re: Remember When Kids Used to Walk to School?

lisa kim — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 21:14:21 GMT

My kids' school isn't that far, but to walk there they'd need to cross two major streets, one adjacent to the freeway entrance, and the busiest one without a streetlight. I'd have to walk with them, and they'd never be in class on time if I had to do that!!

re: Remember When Kids Used to Walk to School?

Mom2Two — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:24:58 GMT

When I was in school, if you lived less than a mile away, you couldn't ride the bus. You either walked, or your parents drove you.

Statistically speaking, your child is unlikely to be kidnapped by a stranger, but because of increased media coverage, parents are too frightened to let their kids out of their sight.

There was an opinion article in the Baltimore Sun a couple of weeks ago about how our fears about things happening to our kids is affecting their health and happiness. I thought the author made some good points. She also said that her child's school doesn't allow kids K-4 to ride their bikes to school.

re: Remember When Kids Used to Walk to School?

pinkpinkmoon — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 19:07:32 GMT

I walked to school from K-8 in the same suburban neighborhood that my parents grew up in. There was only one time that my walking buddies and I had to tell our parents that we saw a strange car following us. My daughter will be starting school next year, which is a scary thought a few reasons. We live close, but not within walking distance of the elementary school. Even if we did, I'm not sure I'd let her walk by herself or with some kids I barely knew in a neighborhood that we've only lived in for a year. Predators and sex offenders sometimes have cars, and sometimes venture into the better neighborhoods. If I could, I would put the twins in the stroller and walk her to/from school on a daily basis.

Plus... most schools won't allow you to walk unless it's within a certain distance (like half a mile or a mile), so I think it's not really making a huge difference in their exercise regime anyway.

re: Remember When Kids Used to Walk to School?

MissB — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 18:57:32 GMT

Why not develop your own walking school bus?

www.walkingschoolbus.org

re: Remember When Kids Used to Walk to School?

LogicalMama — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 16:52:44 GMT

My son will walk to school (with me!!). That way, I'll get extra exercise because I'll be walking there and back twice!

re: Remember When Kids Used to Walk to School?

Cyn — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 16:39:12 GMT

My children are are allowed to walk to school because my fear of predators and unsavory characters that our world is filled with. While we live in a safe neighborhood, I still do not like to take chances. As they get older and more mature, they will be allowed. I think maybe around the age of 12 or 13. Maybe I am being overly protective, but I would rather be overprotective than kicking myself later if something were to happen to them.

re: Remember When Kids Used to Walk to School?

Grammy — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 16:13:29 GMT

Yeah, it is a much more dangerous place out there now. Here,we have had kids stopped on the way to or from school and attacked. I hate that. I agree that it is sad that kids don't walk to school anymore. Walk-in schools make life a lot easier for parents. I had a friend who walked 7 miles to school every day because he didn't want to ride the bus. We don't have any walk-in schools in our district. We do have some kids who are close enough but most live in other subdivisions and have to be bussed.

re: Remember When Kids Used to Walk to School?

CityOfTrees — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 13:56:03 GMT

Could it be the fear of sending your child to walk through town unsupervised? I think a lot of parents are paranoid about abductions and child predators.