Would you let your 4th and Kindergardener walk to school w/out an adult

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Food for thought.

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/550668.page

That's awful & scary but the chances of one of OP's kids being abducted on a public street in broad daylight are extremely small nonetheless, especially if they are together & taught to scream as loudly as possible should the unlikely event of an attempted abducion occur. Kids who are driven to school are still at a much greater risk of being injured or killed en route than OP's kids would be walking.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:17:09 is nuts.

Agree but so many other nutso moms just like her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not let a K and 4th grade student walk to school, but I would consider 1st and 5th. However, I would do several things first.

1. Review the pages in The Gift of Fear about letting your children walk alone. They should have some safe houses to go to if they are scared, and they should do a few practice walks beforehand. I can't remember all of the tips, but he has some good ones.

2. Search the sex offender registry for the area your child is walking through to see if any registered sex offenders live there.

3. Consider the sibling relationship. My kids fight with each other all the time. I wouldn't have them walk together. They could most likely walk together with a group of friends.

4. Go over the Somer Thompson case. This was a 7 year old girl in FL walking to school with her twin, older sister and a group of friends. One of the friends made fun of Somer, and she ran off ahead of the other kids. She never made it home. She was killed by a neighbor who was a registered sex offender.

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/day-somer-thompson-disappeared-10377604

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/somer-thompson-case-resource-guide-parents/story?id=10384913

Parents were shocked to learn that 162 registered predators and sex offenders worked and lived within a 5 mile radius of Somer's home -- and those were only the ones police knew about. The seemingly pristine neighborhood was infested with people you would never want near your children.

Regarding the sex offender registry, you also know that the definition of a "sex offender" is very very broad and the list includes people who, many years ago, when they were teens had sex with their teen-girlfriend/boyfriend. "Human Rights Watch in a 2013 report pointed to the case of a 10-year-old Michigan girl who served time after she and her younger brothers flashed one another in 1991. She was placed on the state’s adult registry when she turned 18. The report also cited a Texas juvenile court that convicted a 10-year-old of indecency with a child for touching a younger cousin—a crime resulting in lifetime registration. Here the full HRW report: https://www.hrw.org/sites/default/files/reports/us0513_ForUpload_1.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not let a K and 4th grade student walk to school, but I would consider 1st and 5th. However, I would do several things first.

1. Review the pages in The Gift of Fear about letting your children walk alone. They should have some safe houses to go to if they are scared, and they should do a few practice walks beforehand. I can't remember all of the tips, but he has some good ones.

2. Search the sex offender registry for the area your child is walking through to see if any registered sex offenders live there.

3. Consider the sibling relationship. My kids fight with each other all the time. I wouldn't have them walk together. They could most likely walk together with a group of friends.

4. Go over the Somer Thompson case. This was a 7 year old girl in FL walking to school with her twin, older sister and a group of friends. One of the friends made fun of Somer, and she ran off ahead of the other kids. She never made it home. She was killed by a neighbor who was a registered sex offender.

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/day-somer-thompson-disappeared-10377604

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/somer-thompson-case-resource-guide-parents/story?id=10384913

Parents were shocked to learn that 162 registered predators and sex offenders worked and lived within a 5 mile radius of Somer's home -- and those were only the ones police knew about. The seemingly pristine neighborhood was infested with people you would never want near your children.

Do you send your kids to school? They have school shootings, tornados, bombs, and sometimes students kill each other. Also, many kids get sexually assaulted by teachers and other school workers.

Do you drive your kids in a car? MVA are the # 1 killer of kids and teens

Do you get on the metro? Multiple Metro accidents, terrorist and bomb threats.

Do you live near DC? #1 threat in the entire country for terrorist threat. Any nuclear war? Right here baby.

Have you ever been on an airplane? Planes crash

Do you live in a home? Carbon monoxide, fires, electrical accidents, struck by lightning, tree fall into your bedroom, etc...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not let a K and 4th grade student walk to school, but I would consider 1st and 5th. However, I would do several things first.

1. Review the pages in The Gift of Fear about letting your children walk alone. They should have some safe houses to go to if they are scared, and they should do a few practice walks beforehand. I can't remember all of the tips, but he has some good ones.

2. Search the sex offender registry for the area your child is walking through to see if any registered sex offenders live there.

3. Consider the sibling relationship. My kids fight with each other all the time. I wouldn't have them walk together. They could most likely walk together with a group of friends.

4. Go over the Somer Thompson case. This was a 7 year old girl in FL walking to school with her twin, older sister and a group of friends. One of the friends made fun of Somer, and she ran off ahead of the other kids. She never made it home. She was killed by a neighbor who was a registered sex offender.

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/day-somer-thompson-disappeared-10377604

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/somer-thompson-case-resource-guide-parents/story?id=10384913

Parents were shocked to learn that 162 registered predators and sex offenders worked and lived within a 5 mile radius of Somer's home -- and those were only the ones police knew about. The seemingly pristine neighborhood was infested with people you would never want near your children.

There is a reason why this particular case made national news & is still remembered by many years later. The kind of tragic events that happen frequently -- kids being killed in car accidents on the way to or from school, for instance -- do not attract that much news coverage or obtain that much notoriety. They are terribly sad but, given that they are far from rare, not terribly shocking.What happened to Somer Thompson, on the other hand, was (& is) shocking because it was (& is) so rare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not let a K and 4th grade student walk to school, but I would consider 1st and 5th. However, I would do several things first.

1. Review the pages in The Gift of Fear about letting your children walk alone. They should have some safe houses to go to if they are scared, and they should do a few practice walks beforehand. I can't remember all of the tips, but he has some good ones.

2. Search the sex offender registry for the area your child is walking through to see if any registered sex offenders live there.

3. Consider the sibling relationship. My kids fight with each other all the time. I wouldn't have them walk together. They could most likely walk together with a group of friends.

4. Go over the Somer Thompson case. This was a 7 year old girl in FL walking to school with her twin, older sister and a group of friends. One of the friends made fun of Somer, and she ran off ahead of the other kids. She never made it home. She was killed by a neighbor who was a registered sex offender.

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/day-somer-thompson-disappeared-10377604

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/somer-thompson-case-resource-guide-parents/story?id=10384913

Parents were shocked to learn that 162 registered predators and sex offenders worked and lived within a 5 mile radius of Somer's home -- and those were only the ones police knew about. The seemingly pristine neighborhood was infested with people you would never want near your children.

There is a reason why this particular case made national news & is still remembered by many years later. The kind of tragic events that happen frequently -- kids being killed in car accidents on the way to or from school, for instance -- do not attract that much news coverage or obtain that much notoriety. They are terribly sad but, given that they are far from rare, not terribly shocking.What happened to Somer Thompson, on the other hand, was (& is) shocking because it was (& is) so rare.

Also "sex offender' is not synonymous with "child predator". Many --perhaps even most-- sex offenders pose no real risk to the neighborhood children who may walk past their homes on a daily basis.

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't because I am very scared about something bad happening to my children (or to anyone's children). But people have different tolerance to risk and they are free to do what they want to do.

Is it legal to let a >12 years old be responsible for their younger siblings?

[Anonymous]

ugh! I mean less than 12 not greater than 12.

[Anonymous]

I would completely let them walk together. My sister and I were the same age when we walked to school together and we lived a few blocks away. Heck, we started a lot younger. When my kids are first grade and third grade next year, I'm going to let them walk the one block to the bus stop together. Kids needs to learn independence and responsibility and yes, at these ages. They are perfectly capable and I trust them to do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not let a K and 4th grade student walk to school, but I would consider 1st and 5th. However, I would do several things first.

1. Review the pages in The Gift of Fear about letting your children walk alone. They should have some safe houses to go to if they are scared, and they should do a few practice walks beforehand. I can't remember all of the tips, but he has some good ones.

2. Search the sex offender registry for the area your child is walking through to see if any registered sex offenders live there.

3. Consider the sibling relationship. My kids fight with each other all the time. I wouldn't have them walk together. They could most likely walk together with a group of friends.

4. Go over the Somer Thompson case. This was a 7 year old girl in FL walking to school with her twin, older sister and a group of friends. One of the friends made fun of Somer, and she ran off ahead of the other kids. She never made it home. She was killed by a neighbor who was a registered sex offender.

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/day-somer-thompson-disappeared-10377604

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/somer-thompson-case-resource-guide-parents/story?id=10384913

Parents were shocked to learn that 162 registered predators and sex offenders worked and lived within a 5 mile radius of Somer's home -- and those were only the ones police knew about. The seemingly pristine neighborhood was infested with people you would never want near your children.

#1 leading cause of death for persons age 5-24? Car crashes. Above ALL else. Do you suffer the same anxiety whrn you encounter the very real threat of death and harm to your children?
http://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/leadingcauses.html

[Anonymous]

I would totally let them. If your 4th grader reports that the younger one didn't listen - even just once - then all bets off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would not let a K and 4th grade student walk to school, but I would consider 1st and 5th. However, I would do several things first.

1. Review the pages in The Gift of Fear about letting your children walk alone. They should have some safe houses to go to if they are scared, and they should do a few practice walks beforehand. I can't remember all of the tips, but he has some good ones.

2. Search the sex offender registry for the area your child is walking through to see if any registered sex offenders live there.

3. Consider the sibling relationship. My kids fight with each other all the time. I wouldn't have them walk together. They could most likely walk together with a group of friends.

4. Go over the Somer Thompson case. This was a 7 year old girl in FL walking to school with her twin, older sister and a group of friends. One of the friends made fun of Somer, and she ran off ahead of the other kids. She never made it home. She was killed by a neighbor who was a registered sex offender.

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/day-somer-thompson-disappeared-10377604

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/somer-thompson-case-resource-guide-parents/story?id=10384913

Parents were shocked to learn that 162 registered predators and sex offenders worked and lived within a 5 mile radius of Somer's home -- and those were only the ones police knew about. The seemingly pristine neighborhood was infested with people you would never want near your children.

If you are all too lazy or not anxiety prone enough to do what I outlined above, could you at least get this video and show it to your children? It's fun and upbeat, and you can watch it with them to let know who their safe side adults are. Don't forget they should know their phone numbers, address, and what to do in situations when a car comes up and someone tells them to get inside.

http://www.amazon.com/Safe-Side-Stranger-Safety-People/dp/B0009LS9Y4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1461339855&sr=8-1&keywords=john+walsh+stranger+safety

Perhaps you all don't know what happened to John Walsh's son while he was shopping with his mom at Sears. The world is a safe place isn't it?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not let a K and 4th grade student walk to school, but I would consider 1st and 5th. However, I would do several things first.

1. Review the pages in The Gift of Fear about letting your children walk alone. They should have some safe houses to go to if they are scared, and they should do a few practice walks beforehand. I can't remember all of the tips, but he has some good ones.

2. Search the sex offender registry for the area your child is walking through to see if any registered sex offenders live there.

3. Consider the sibling relationship. My kids fight with each other all the time. I wouldn't have them walk together. They could most likely walk together with a group of friends.

4. Go over the Somer Thompson case. This was a 7 year old girl in FL walking to school with her twin, older sister and a group of friends. One of the friends made fun of Somer, and she ran off ahead of the other kids. She never made it home. She was killed by a neighbor who was a registered sex offender.

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/day-somer-thompson-disappeared-10377604

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/somer-thompson-case-resource-guide-parents/story?id=10384913

Parents were shocked to learn that 162 registered predators and sex offenders worked and lived within a 5 mile radius of Somer's home -- and those were only the ones police knew about. The seemingly pristine neighborhood was infested with people you would never want near your children.

If you are all too lazy or not anxiety prone enough to do what I outlined above, could you at least get this video and show it to your children? It's fun and upbeat, and you can watch it with them to let know who their safe side adults are. Don't forget they should know their phone numbers, address, and what to do in situations when a car comes up and someone tells them to get inside.

http://www.amazon.com/Safe-Side-Stranger-Safety-People/dp/B0009LS9Y4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1461339855&sr=8-1&keywords=john+walsh+stranger+safety

Perhaps you all don't know what happened to John Walsh's son while he was shopping with his mom at Sears. The world is a safe place isn't it?

Safer now than it has ever been, yes. Absolutely.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/04/14/theres-never-been-a-safer-time-to-be-a-kid-in-america/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not let a K and 4th grade student walk to school, but I would consider 1st and 5th. However, I would do several things first.

1. Review the pages in The Gift of Fear about letting your children walk alone. They should have some safe houses to go to if they are scared, and they should do a few practice walks beforehand. I can't remember all of the tips, but he has some good ones.

2. Search the sex offender registry for the area your child is walking through to see if any registered sex offenders live there.

3. Consider the sibling relationship. My kids fight with each other all the time. I wouldn't have them walk together. They could most likely walk together with a group of friends.

4. Go over the Somer Thompson case. This was a 7 year old girl in FL walking to school with her twin, older sister and a group of friends. One of the friends made fun of Somer, and she ran off ahead of the other kids. She never made it home. She was killed by a neighbor who was a registered sex offender.

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/day-somer-thompson-disappeared-10377604

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/somer-thompson-case-resource-guide-parents/story?id=10384913

Parents were shocked to learn that 162 registered predators and sex offenders worked and lived within a 5 mile radius of Somer's home -- and those were only the ones police knew about. The seemingly pristine neighborhood was infested with people you would never want near your children.

Do you send your kids to school? They have school shootings, tornados, bombs, and sometimes students kill each other. Also, many kids get sexually assaulted by teachers and other school workers.

Do you drive your kids in a car? MVA are the # 1 killer of kids and teens

Do you get on the metro? Multiple Metro accidents, terrorist and bomb threats.

Do you live near DC? #1 threat in the entire country for terrorist threat. Any nuclear war? Right here baby.

Have you ever been on an airplane? Planes crash

Do you live in a home? Carbon monoxide, fires, electrical accidents, struck by lightning, tree fall into your bedroom, etc...

I see none of the scared moms are answering these questions. How come?????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would not let a K and 4th grade student walk to school, but I would consider 1st and 5th. However, I would do several things first.

1. Review the pages in The Gift of Fear about letting your children walk alone. They should have some safe houses to go to if they are scared, and they should do a few practice walks beforehand. I can't remember all of the tips, but he has some good ones.

2. Search the sex offender registry for the area your child is walking through to see if any registered sex offenders live there.

3. Consider the sibling relationship. My kids fight with each other all the time. I wouldn't have them walk together. They could most likely walk together with a group of friends.

4. Go over the Somer Thompson case. This was a 7 year old girl in FL walking to school with her twin, older sister and a group of friends. One of the friends made fun of Somer, and she ran off ahead of the other kids. She never made it home. She was killed by a neighbor who was a registered sex offender.

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/day-somer-thompson-disappeared-10377604

http://abcnews.go.com/2020/somer-thompson-case-resource-guide-parents/story?id=10384913

Parents were shocked to learn that 162 registered predators and sex offenders worked and lived within a 5 mile radius of Somer's home -- and those were only the ones police knew about. The seemingly pristine neighborhood was infested with people you would never want near your children.

If you are all too lazy or not anxiety prone enough to do what I outlined above, could you at least get this video and show it to your children? It's fun and upbeat, and you can watch it with them to let know who their safe side adults are. Don't forget they should know their phone numbers, address, and what to do in situations when a car comes up and someone tells them to get inside.

http://www.amazon.com/Safe-Side-Stranger-Safety-People/dp/B0009LS9Y4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1461339855&sr=8-1&keywords=john+walsh+stranger+safety

Perhaps you all don't know what happened to John Walsh's son while he was shopping with his mom at Sears. The world is a safe place isn't it?

Safer now than it has ever been, yes. Absolutely.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2015/04/14/theres-never-been-a-safer-time-to-be-a-kid-in-america/

Yes, DOJ did a comprehensive study in 2002 on nonfamiliar abduction of children (here is the full report: http://www.unh.edu/ccrc/pdf/MC19.pdf):

During the study year, there were an estimated 115
stereotypical kidnappings, defined as abductions perpetrated
by a stranger or slight acquaintance and
involving a child who was transported 50 or more
miles, detained overnight, held for ransom or with
the intent to keep the child permanently, or killed.

There are about 70 MILLION children living in the U.S.