Japanese kids running errands

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A lot of this can be done here. I sold DD's stroller when she was a few months shy of 3, and I carried for her only a diaper, small pack of wipes, one small snack. When she started asking to bring toys on errands, I would say "Only if you carry it". We only lost one once (she left her stuffed panda on a city bus; I told her he had gone on vacation to Florida). While I couldn't let her walk to a store from the house by herself, I could let her go INTO a store by herself with money to purchase something.

Isn't this normal? Mine is only 18 months and I only carry a diaper, few wipes in a ziploc, and a water cup. In a regular purse. I thought most people were past the diaper bag with their entire life it in at that point.

I will admit, the stroller makes a nice Starbucks/shopping bag holder and I don't know how I'll let it go.

Are you the one borrowing an extra set of clothes and a snack or band aid from me? I hang out with these people, and I am always providing things such as sunblock, off, extra water, etc. Bring your own stuff, don't feel so high and mighty because you don't have stuff for emergencies.

Aren't you the one always shoving things at me? No, my kid doesn't need a constant stream of water to not get dehydrated, they weren't remotely "hungry" until they saw your kid constantly nibbling on those damn goldfish, and they got sunblock before we left home 45 minutes ago, so chill the heck out. I do appreciate the bandaid, though. Thanks for that.

Np. If you don't want something use your adult voice and say no thank you. Tell your kids not to beg or ask for goldfish. What I feed my kids is none of your business.

No you can not have my bandaid with your altitude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I honestly can't even let my child walk one block to the elementary school because of the one intersection she would have to cross being dangerous for ANYONE, let alone a child. I've nearly been run over there multiple times even being ridiculously cautious.

Yup, the reason it’s not safe here is because of the driving culture. Cars own the road and everyone else is on defense. That’s the only reason we fear for our children walking freely, the cats. Northern Virginia area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I honestly can't even let my child walk one block to the elementary school because of the one intersection she would have to cross being dangerous for ANYONE, let alone a child. I've nearly been run over there multiple times even being ridiculously cautious.

Yup, the reason it’s not safe here is because of the driving culture. Cars own the road and everyone else is on defense. That’s the only reason we fear for our children walking freely, the cats. Northern Virginia area.

Cars not cars, lol

[Anonymous]

I am leery of car traffic, re: errands, but I love that my 20mo old has started doing basic chores! Of her own free will -- she's in a "wanting to help" phase. She loves to put things in the trash and load the washer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A lot of this can be done here. I sold DD's stroller when she was a few months shy of 3, and I carried for her only a diaper, small pack of wipes, one small snack. When she started asking to bring toys on errands, I would say "Only if you carry it". We only lost one once (she left her stuffed panda on a city bus; I told her he had gone on vacation to Florida). While I couldn't let her walk to a store from the house by herself, I could let her go INTO a store by herself with money to purchase something.

Isn't this normal? Mine is only 18 months and I only carry a diaper, few wipes in a ziploc, and a water cup. In a regular purse. I thought most people were past the diaper bag with their entire life it in at that point.

I will admit, the stroller makes a nice Starbucks/shopping bag holder and I don't know how I'll let it go.

Are you the one borrowing an extra set of clothes and a snack or band aid from me? I hang out with these people, and I am always providing things such as sunblock, off, extra water, etc. Bring your own stuff, don't feel so high and mighty because you don't have stuff for emergencies.

Aren't you the one always shoving things at me? No, my kid doesn't need a constant stream of water to not get dehydrated, they weren't remotely "hungry" until they saw your kid constantly nibbling on those damn goldfish, and they got sunblock before we left home 45 minutes ago, so chill the heck out. I do appreciate the bandaid, though. Thanks for that.

Np. If you don't want something use your adult voice and say no thank you. Tell your kids not to beg or ask for goldfish. What I feed my kids is none of your business.

No you can not have my bandaid with your altitude.

I have a 16 year old and a 4 year old. I feel like there has been a big change in the whole diaper bag/backpack norms between the time my two children were small. People will deny it up and down but my sense is its another one of these weirdly misogynistic things that once dads became more regularly involved having a diaper bag (not backpack!) with all the things fell out of favor. I like a bag on my shoulder not a backpack and two female friends (are they friends?) mocked me for carrying an understated diaper bag and it was such a weird thing to comment on IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A lot of this can be done here. I sold DD's stroller when she was a few months shy of 3, and I carried for her only a diaper, small pack of wipes, one small snack. When she started asking to bring toys on errands, I would say "Only if you carry it". We only lost one once (she left her stuffed panda on a city bus; I told her he had gone on vacation to Florida). While I couldn't let her walk to a store from the house by herself, I could let her go INTO a store by herself with money to purchase something.

Isn't this normal? Mine is only 18 months and I only carry a diaper, few wipes in a ziploc, and a water cup. In a regular purse. I thought most people were past the diaper bag with their entire life it in at that point.

I will admit, the stroller makes a nice Starbucks/shopping bag holder and I don't know how I'll let it go.

Are you the one borrowing an extra set of clothes and a snack or band aid from me? I hang out with these people, and I am always providing things such as sunblock, off, extra water, etc. Bring your own stuff, don't feel so high and mighty because you don't have stuff for emergencies.

Aren't you the one always shoving things at me? No, my kid doesn't need a constant stream of water to not get dehydrated, they weren't remotely "hungry" until they saw your kid constantly nibbling on those damn goldfish, and they got sunblock before we left home 45 minutes ago, so chill the heck out. I do appreciate the bandaid, though. Thanks for that.

Np. If you don't want something use your adult voice and say no thank you. Tell your kids not to beg or ask for goldfish. What I feed my kids is none of your business.

No you can not have my bandaid with your altitude.

Why did you revive a six year old thread to say this?

[Anonymous]

In the US, I would be leery of car accidents, child abductions, gun violence, CPS and children getting lost or confused. Other than that I don't have a problem with my kids going alone to do errands even when were young.

So, if this was a different and safer country, I won't have a problem. Here the parents delegate because they are derelict in their parental duties.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Japan has a much lower crime rate than the U.S. The murder rate is extremely low there. Also, pedophiles are everywhere in this area. Just pull up the sex offender map and they are everywhere.

When I was a kid, the pastor at my church was a pedophile who later had a high profile trial. I think my kids are statistically safer walking to the store alone than going to church or scouts.

[Anonymous]

I live in a really safe neighborhood and I would let my kids do this, but we do have bears and so I worry about that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Caught a bit of this on Youtube. Basically it's a Japanese TV show called "My First Errand" or something like that, and it profiles Japanese kids age 3-6 or so who are sent out by their parents to run errands for the family. Apparently in Japan it's a rite of passage for a toddler to be sent out for an errand for the family, and the sight of a very young child on their own running tasks around the city is not that uncommon.

Here is a cute, partially subtitled version of a brother and sister doing the grocery shopping. Made me a bit sad knowing that it isn't quite as safe to do this in the USA.

I am confused by the second video. If it’s a rite of passage to send toddlers why is the 5 or 6 year old still scared and crying? Hasn’t he been doing it for 3 or so years?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's ironic that kids had more freedom in the 60's and 70's then they do now. I ran errands for my parents in that era. Frequently bought them cigarettes (whether that is good of course is debatable).

My daughter is reading Beverly Cleary books, set in the 60's. Henry as an 8 year old enjoys tremendous freedom -- rides the bus alone, stays home alone. No more.

Why is it ironic?

I rode the city bus to dance lessons starting when I was six. I always went to and from with a friend.