Ok to let 3rd grader walk home from bus stop (short walk but involves crossing street a few times)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, when I was 8 walked 1.5 miles to Elementary school.

So did I, except it was 5 miles up a hill and I was barefoot.

Horse and buggies are easier to dodge, so your experience isn't relevant.

[Anonymous]

No

[Anonymous]

Doesn't the patrol /the bus with its flashing lights make it easier for your kid to cross the street upon getting off the bus?

So that's 1 less road to cross? What subdivision are you where theres 2 more streets to cross in a 3 minute walk?
No sidewalks?

[Anonymous]

We followed our son the first couple of weeks that he walked to school solo in 4th grade. Third grade was COVID, we couldn’t do it that year. We started walking next to him but let him decide when to cross and the like. When we thought he was safe, we stepped back and observed. He had three streets to cross but there was a crossing guard at two of the streets.

[Anonymous]

We started in 4th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The dropoff point is only a 3-minute walk but there would be some street crossing (x3) and the street gets some through traffic with no speed humps.

I don't want to let my child walk alone but they are requesting it.

Well if they are requesting it then by all means

[Anonymous]

No, my coworker's child died from getting hit by a bus. The risks are real.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The dropoff point is only a 3-minute walk but there would be some street crossing (x3) and the street gets some through traffic with no speed humps.

I don't want to let my child walk alone but they are requesting it.

Well if they are requesting it then by all means

The point was not that they are requesting it so I am compelled, but just to say the child really wants it. I don't think it's safe and and I make the decisions but I am curious what others think given the age and circumstances. Of course ultimately I will do what I think is right.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, my coworker's child died from getting hit by a bus. The risks are real.

That is really sad and of course my worst nightmare of nightmares.

[Anonymous]

Some thoughts here. FWIW, my kids walked to elementary school with only a couple of neighborhood streets to cross. The busiest intersection (in our neighborhood) had an adult crossing guard.

There were lots of walkers and, sometimes, I walked part way. But, not always. Had there been few walkers, I would have walked every day.

Since we don't know your neighborhood, this puts an uncertainty in support.
Are there other kids at this bus stop walking your way? Or just your child?


My suggestion: meet the bus this week--but, stand across the street if he must cross it. See how that goes. Then, back off a little.
However, if he is out there totally alone, I'm not sure how much I would back off. But, again, I don't know your neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some thoughts here. FWIW, my kids walked to elementary school with only a couple of neighborhood streets to cross. The busiest intersection (in our neighborhood) had an adult crossing guard.

There were lots of walkers and, sometimes, I walked part way. But, not always. Had there been few walkers, I would have walked every day.

Since we don't know your neighborhood, this puts an uncertainty in support.
Are there other kids at this bus stop walking your way? Or just your child?


My suggestion: meet the bus this week--but, stand across the street if he must cross it. See how that goes. Then, back off a little.
However, if he is out there totally alone, I'm not sure how much I would back off. But, again, I don't know your neighborhood.

Thanks! There are other walkers but mostly kids being met by parents. I will observe. There's no crossing guard and unfortunately because of the lack of sidewalk on our side of the street, my child would be crossing where there is no stop sign or anything (otherwise they'd walk up a hill on the side of the street).

[Anonymous]

No.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Perfectly fine. As others have said, let you child take the lead while you walk with them. If the show wise decision making then let them walk from the bus stop.

[Anonymous]

You guys are all so crazy and overprotective. Poor kids. Of course, he should be able to walk 3 min to get home. Sheesh.