Reply to At what age would you let kids be home alone and get to school two hours late ?

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]My kids walk to school and home, about three quarters of a mile, residential area. Started at age 8. I don't think I could trust them to get out on time with a 2 hour delay though with no adults at home, they'd either get to school super early or pull out the ipads and lose track of time. And they'd argue over who has to shut the door so the dog would definitely get out. Aged 9 and 11 now. [/quote]

Op here. This is the attitude I’m feeling bothered by today’s society. All these parents who think their mid elementary kids cannot get out of house on time.

When I was in elementary school, I would walk to the bus stop that was 1.5 blocks from my house alone. It was no big deal. I don’t remember 2 hour delays. I remember listening to the radio to see if school was closed. My parents went to work.[/quote]

Why be bothered? These kids will learn the same skills later. Just like you will learn some life skills later than others.

No one’s enraged when school closes during a blizzard. School should have opened today.[/quote]

It’s coddling and limiting them from doing what their 100% capable of (especially if their “gifted and high IQ, like all DCUM kids.)

8 year olds are able to be home alone all day.

11-12 year olds can a babysit younger siblings all day.

16 year olds can stay home alone overnight for days.

18 year olds can babysit multiple siblings for more than a week.

Stop disabling your children..[/quote]

Just because a kid is capable of something does not mean you should force them to do it. I walked to school on my own starting when I was 6. At 7, I also helped my younger brother get to school with me. And sure, that experience made me more independent and self-reliant.

But it also felt lonely, and like I couldn't ask for help when I needed it. I didn't get that extra time with a parent to talk about my day or process feelings I might be having. I was just alone, or caring for a younger sibling. I *could* do it, but *should* I have done it? I argue no, and that it would have been better for me in the long run to have a parent "coddle" me by accompanying me to school for a few more years. It's true this likely would have delayed some of the acquisition of skills that helped me become more independent. But it would have nurtured other skills, and my relationship with my parents, and I think overall been better for my development.

I don't even disagree with your cut offs for independence, but there is wiggle room in there and this idea that kids should be forced into independence as early as possible is just wrong. You don't want to swing too hard in the other direction, but there is some middle ground here.[/quote]

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