6 year old walking to the bus? (1 Viewer)

[mr roboto]

Our daughter is now in full time 1st grade. We live in a quiet neighborhood. The bus it about 1 block away but she needs to turn a corner and the stop is out of sight from our home. My wife was talking to a couple moms at the bus stop today and mentioned that our daughter wants to walk back home from the bus by herself. Judging from the reactions, this is tantamount to child abuse apparently.

Obviously we don't want to take any unnecessary risks but either my wife or myself are home when she gets there (we both work from home). I grew up like most of us here walking to/from school or the bus. Is this just not the case anymore?

 

[jonboltz]

Would never allow a 6yr old to walk home alone.

 

[Josie Maran]

People are crazy, so they'll see you guys as monsters.

So there's that.

 

[fatguyinalittlecoat]

I'd give her an uzi just to be safe.

 

[Mrs. Rannous]

Six is just too young. By the time she's eight, no biggie.

 

[17seconds]

Well when I was 7 I wasn't old enough to be walking a few blocks home from the bus stop and that was 1979.

 

[Oracle]

In the states I would never have allowed my 6 year old to walk home by him/her self without them being in my line of sight. In Japan, completely different story. Little kids walk to bus stops/ride subways without adults...no problem...

 

[PatsWillWin]

20 girls have died from cheerleading since 1980, so just ignore any kind of risks that might be involved with letting your six year old walk from the bus alone because, you know, yeah.

personally, i would not be comfortable with it.

 

[PatsWillWin]

In the states I would never have allowed my 6 year old to walk home by him/her self without them being in my line of sight. In Japan, completely different story. Little kids walk to bus stops/ride subways without adults...no problem...

Good point - OP are you open the moving to Japan?

 

[ClownCausedChaos2]

I'd give her an uzi just to be safe.

Firearms seem a little over-the-top. She's 6, not 9.

I'd arm her with a sharp hatchet and tell her to run the whole way home, watching behind her the whole time.

Serious answer: I'd be against it.

 

[bushdocda]

You're both home so go meet her at the bus stop.

It would be different if no one was home, then she could walk home and prepare dinner for the family.

 

[fantasycurse42]

I'd either go get her, or if she wants to feel like a big girl, find a spot where she is in my line of view and let her walk.

 

[shadyridr]

Hell no

 

[dgreen]

We have definitely let our first graders walk to and from the bus stop without us. Not a big deal. Of course, there could be scenarios where it's worse than others, but you seem to indicate you have a pretty safe situation.

 

[(HULK)]

When I was 5 I walked about 3 blocks to the bus stop by myself.

Not sure I'd let my 6 year old daughter do it. We're not in the bussing zone though, even though school is like 10 blocks away. We drive her and drop her off.

I was born in '77. Even though CRIME IS WAY DOWN from when I was a kid, everyone has the perception that the world is somehow more dangerous (thanks 24 hour news cycle and internet sensationalism!) and we are now socially required to jump through hoops that our parents didn't have to. Kids are in car seats and boosters until their age is 2 digits now. I've seen studies that show that from about age 2 or 3 on, there is not much difference in safety with those contraptions versus just using a seat belt (if I recall correctly, car seats had the edge in head on collisions, seatbelt won in side impacts).

Personally, these things bother me. We're coddling these kids too much. The world is a harsh place, and they'll be inadequtely prepared to handle it IMO.

 

[jon_mx]

At 6, I was walking a mile to school everyday, usually by myself.

 

[McGarnicle]

Jeez, 1 block??

Yeah, we're not a country of terrified nutjobs or anything.

 

[johnnycakes]

Read the news much?

 

[Amused to Death]

Jeez, 1 block??

Yeah, we're not a country of terrified nutjobs or anything.

Thanks, I was starting to think I was crazy. At 6, yeah walking 1 block alone is fine. Do your kids play around the corner out of your sight? Or do you just arrange play dates?

 

[Limp Ditka]

Read the news much?

Then Japan must be the answer., amirite?

 

[Jayrok]

It only takes one incident, however remotely likely, to change yours and your family's lives forever.

There are some sick bastards out there who would love to hear that children are walking alone. It just isn't worth the risk IMO, especially when the risk is so easily mitigated.

 

[gianmarco]

Are you at all worried your kid would wander off? Not all 6 year olds are made the same. If not, no issue.

 

[Insein]

You're both home so go meet her at the bus stop.

It would be different if no one was home, then she could walk home and prepare dinner for the family.

Yea I don't see why this isn't an option.

 

[glumpy]

I'm with the don't do it crowd. I could disappear all day at 5yo without issue--but it seems like either it's gotten more dangerous or we are just learning about all the ugly to where I'm not comfortable with my kids being within reach of the street anymore. Really sad.

 

[Amused to Death]

You could meet the bus the first few days and walk her home, then gradually give her more space. Week 2, you wait around the corner and meet her and then eventually just let her walk home. Yeah, bad things happen but kids need to gain some independence at some point. Walking a block alone in the middle of the afternoon while you're home could be a good place to start.

 

[Cjw_55106]

I can't imagine anything worse than what it must be like to have a child missing. This is a no brainer for me.

 

[mr roboto]

Jeez, 1 block??

Yeah, we're not a country of terrified nutjobs or anything.

Thanks, I was starting to think I was crazy. At 6, yeah walking 1 block alone is fine. Do your kids play around the corner out of your sight? Or do you just arrange play dates?

Play dates primarily. There aren't a lot of friends her age within a block. But there are kids 4-6 blocks a away that the moms will arrange play dates.

 

[dgreen]

I'm with the don't do it crowd. I could disappear all day at 5yo without issue--but it seems like either it's gotten more dangerous or we are just learning about all the ugly to where I'm not comfortable with my kids being within reach of the street anymore. Really sad.

I'm not aware of any indication that things are more dangerous so it must be about learning all the ugly.

 

[AAABatteries]

I would be somewhat worried that someone might do something to her but it would be much more likely she would walk to a friends house without telling us and start playing. That's the reason we walk to get her.

 

[Jayrok]

I'm with the don't do it crowd. I could disappear all day at 5yo without issue--but it seems like either it's gotten more dangerous or we are just learning about all the ugly to where I'm not comfortable with my kids being within reach of the street anymore. Really sad.

I'm not aware of any indication that things are more dangerous so it must be about learning all the ugly.

I also remember being free to wander as a kid. I walked home from school from the 2nd grade and it was a little over a mile and across one 4-lane highway. Rode a bike after that. Could wander into other neighborhoods with friends and trick or treating could carry us miles away from home well after dark. Different times I guess.

Not sure if things are any more dangerous nowadays, but I do think there are more materials available that can be enablers to the nefarious behavior of people.

 

[ChiefD]

It only takes one incident, however remotely likely, to change yours and your family's lives forever.

There are some sick bastards out there who would love to hear that children are walking alone. It just isn't worth the risk IMO, especially when the risk is so easily mitigated.

This. I would never live with myself if something happened where I could have controlled it in the first place.

 

[mr roboto]

It only takes one incident, however remotely likely, to change yours and your family's lives forever.

There are some sick bastards out there who would love to hear that children are walking alone. It just isn't worth the risk IMO, especially when the risk is so easily mitigated.

This. I would never live with myself if something happened where I could have controlled it in the first place.

I understand this, but at some point you can't raise kids with this mentality. You could always 'have controlled it' better.

 

[Cjw_55106]

It only takes one incident, however remotely likely, to change yours and your family's lives forever.

There are some sick bastards out there who would love to hear that children are walking alone. It just isn't worth the risk IMO, especially when the risk is so easily mitigated.

This. I would never live with myself if something happened where I could have controlled it in the first place.

I understand this, but at some point you can't raise kids with this mentality. You could always 'have controlled it' better.

Then why ask? Do what you want and move on.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

My friends and I wandered around by ourselves all the time at that age. Unless you live in a war zone, your kid should have no problem walking one block alone. Kids that age routinely walk or ride their bikes to school in my community.

 

[mr roboto]

It only takes one incident, however remotely likely, to change yours and your family's lives forever.

There are some sick bastards out there who would love to hear that children are walking alone. It just isn't worth the risk IMO, especially when the risk is so easily mitigated.

This. I would never live with myself if something happened where I could have controlled it in the first place.

I understand this, but at some point you can't raise kids with this mentality. You could always 'have controlled it' better.

Then why ask? Do what you want and move on.

Wow. Tough night? I'm looking for perspective and to see what the 'consensus' is.

 

[Amused to Death]

Is this your oldest child?

 

[mr roboto]

Is this your oldest child?

Yes.

 

[Godsbrother]

I used to walk back from kindergarten by myself but that was back in 1964. Nowadays I wouldn't let a 6 year old out of my sight for a minute.

 

[Amused to Death]

Is this your oldest child?

Yes.

Its no easier when they're 10, 15 or 20. You're still afraid to let them out of your sight.

 

[Chemical X]

nothing solo till 21 is the norm nowadays. unless you bubble wrap her.

 

[dgreen]

It only takes one incident, however remotely likely, to change yours and your family's lives forever.

There are some sick bastards out there who would love to hear that children are walking alone. It just isn't worth the risk IMO, especially when the risk is so easily mitigated.

This. I would never live with myself if something happened where I could have controlled it in the first place.

I understand this, but at some point you can't raise kids with this mentality. You could always 'have controlled it' better.

Exactly. Every parent stops at some point and says to themselves, "Yeah, I could take an extra precaution here but the risk is finally low enough that I'm ok with the situation."

 

[ChiefD]

It only takes one incident, however remotely likely, to change yours and your family's lives forever.

There are some sick bastards out there who would love to hear that children are walking alone. It just isn't worth the risk IMO, especially when the risk is so easily mitigated.

This. I would never live with myself if something happened where I could have controlled it in the first place.

I understand this, but at some point you can't raise kids with this mentality. You could always 'have controlled it' better.

I agree. But, to me, age 6 is way too young for this. Forget the distance from the bus to the home. It just takes a second for something really really bad to happen. And if it happens when I could have walked 1 block to get my child, then I may as well be dead myself.

For me and my wife, this is BY FAR the toughest thing we have to deal with. We understand that kids need to learn and spread their wings, so to speak. But I'm going to be real careful in how I do that.

 

[Jayrok]

It only takes one incident, however remotely likely, to change yours and your family's lives forever.

There are some sick bastards out there who would love to hear that children are walking alone. It just isn't worth the risk IMO, especially when the risk is so easily mitigated.

This. I would never live with myself if something happened where I could have controlled it in the first place.

I understand this, but at some point you can't raise kids with this mentality. You could always 'have controlled it' better.

She is 6 years old. I don't think you are teaching her bad habits if you simply meet her at the bus stop for her first year of school. There will be plenty of teaching moments for you and her in her childhood, but at this age, you are keeping her a bit safer while she adapts to her new social surroundings. Ask her all about her day at school on the walk home. As she gets a little older and learns some safe habits (that you teach her) while walking on her own, give her a little space. I think she will respond well and, IMO, it is just another part of good parenting at such a tender age.

 

[Godsbrother]

It only takes one incident, however remotely likely, to change yours and your family's lives forever.

There are some sick bastards out there who would love to hear that children are walking alone. It just isn't worth the risk IMO, especially when the risk is so easily mitigated.

This. I would never live with myself if something happened where I could have controlled it in the first place.

I understand this, but at some point you can't raise kids with this mentality. You could always 'have controlled it' better.

I agree. But, to me, age 6 is way too young for this. Forget the distance from the bus to the home. It just takes a second for something really really bad to happen. And if it happens when I could have walked 1 block to get my child, then I may as well be dead myself.

For me and my wife, this is BY FAR the toughest thing we have to deal with. We understand that kids need to learn and spread their wings, so to speak. But I'm going to be real careful in how I do that.

Ha! Just wait until you hit the teenage years!

 

[gianmarco]

What is the "real bad" that could happen? Until we define that, hard to answer.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

It only takes one incident, however remotely likely, to change yours and your family's lives forever.

There are some sick bastards out there who would love to hear that children are walking alone. It just isn't worth the risk IMO, especially when the risk is so easily mitigated.

This. I would never live with myself if something happened where I could have controlled it in the first place.

I understand this, but at some point you can't raise kids with this mentality. You could always 'have controlled it' better.

She is 6 years old. I don't think you are teaching her bad habits if you simply meet her at the bus stop for her first year of school. There will be plenty of teaching moments for you and her in her childhood, but at this age, you are keeping her a bit safer while she adapts to her new social surroundings. Ask her all about her day at school on the walk home. As she gets a little older and learns some safe habits (that you teach her) while walking on her own, give her a little space. I think she will respond well and, IMO, it is just another part of good parenting at such a tender age.

That's fine if that's what the kid wants, but OP says that his daughter has asked to be allowed to walk by herself. If the kid wants a little independence, that's great too.

 

[Amused to Death]

It only takes one incident, however remotely likely, to change yours and your family's lives forever.

There are some sick bastards out there who would love to hear that children are walking alone. It just isn't worth the risk IMO, especially when the risk is so easily mitigated.

This. I would never live with myself if something happened where I could have controlled it in the first place.

I understand this, but at some point you can't raise kids with this mentality. You could always 'have controlled it' better.

I agree. But, to me, age 6 is way too young for this. Forget the distance from the bus to the home. It just takes a second for something really really bad to happen. And if it happens when I could have walked 1 block to get my child, then I may as well be dead myself.

For me and my wife, this is BY FAR the toughest thing we have to deal with. We understand that kids need to learn and spread their wings, so to speak. But I'm going to be real careful in how I do that.

Ha! Just wait until you hit the teenage years!

Yup, wait till they get a driver's license. There's ALWAYS fear. Toughest part of being a parent, for me, was to not let my fear stop my kids from growing.

 

[dgreen]

What is the "real bad" that could happen? Until we define that, hard to answer.

The list of things that could happen is endless.

 

[FUBAR]

I walked home from school when I was 6, 3 blocks. No issue. We have our kids go to the bus by themselves in the morning but there are at least 4 families we know well with kids waiting with ours and the bus stop is right in front of one of our friends' house, who watch all of the kids get off the bus or wait for the bus. It's also only 5 doors down.

Either get a group to cover for each other or go out yourself.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

Yup, wait till they get a driver's license. There's ALWAYS fear.

This. My son got his license earlier this year. He's a good, responsible kid, but I still hate it that he's out there driving around. That said, what are you going to do? Everybody has to learn to drive sometime.