I'd make it a habit that whenever we walked places, he was in charge of telling you when it was safe to cross. Of course you retain veto power. Once he's confidently crossing, and not getting it wrong, not blindly following others, not hesitating in ways that make it dangerous, for a few months, then he's ready.

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.

Anonymous wrote:Hell no, are you crazy?

Ok, it sounds worse than it is, but I agree with you and no I am not crazy.

Hell no, are you crazy?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I taught 3rd grade for 6 years and most of the children I would not trust to cross three streets by themselves. I also agree that crossing 3 streets within 3 minutes does not make sense either. Will he truly be alone or will there be other kids going in that direction and crossing the street as well? Even if you trust your kid, I don’t trust other drivers. I can see a third grader going out to cross then stopping and running back or what not.

Exactly. OP is nuts to take orders from kid, against her better judgment.

I am not taking orders from my child, but thanks. I am listening to the request and soliciting opinions so that I can assess whether my gut feeling is rational or not. I have always been extra careful with my kid but I also don't want to be overprotective to their detriment. Said child is very strong willed and likes to explore independence, but of course does not understand the risks. And I can't talk to hubby about it because hubby thinks it's ok for said child to operate a lawnmower without supervision.. (And no, I do not allow that.)

I agree with most posters and will not be doing this. And sorry, it's two streets, one crossed twice because of the lack of a sidewalk on one side. Would feel even less safe if child walked up the street on the no-side-walk side. There is through traffic that is not slow enough to make me feel it's safe.

Anonymous wrote:I taught 3rd grade for 6 years and most of the children I would not trust to cross three streets by themselves. I also agree that crossing 3 streets within 3 minutes does not make sense either. Will he truly be alone or will there be other kids going in that direction and crossing the street as well? Even if you trust your kid, I don’t trust other drivers. I can see a third grader going out to cross then stopping and running back or what not.

Exactly. OP is nuts to take orders from kid, against her better judgment.

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.

Look, either YOU think it’s a good idea, or YOU don’t.

Your seven year old boy ought not be your boss.

Letting my third grader walk home from bus, but only has to cross one street right in front of the house.
I mean in first grade they let the walkers walk home alone if you want...

I taught 3rd grade for 6 years and most of the children I would not trust to cross three streets by themselves. I also agree that crossing 3 streets within 3 minutes does not make sense either. Will he truly be alone or will there be other kids going in that direction and crossing the street as well? Even if you trust your kid, I don’t trust other drivers. I can see a third grader going out to cross then stopping and running back or what not.

No

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

Im trying to imagine a scenario with a 3 minute walk and 3 roads to cross. I cant picture this. But in general i would say yes a 3rd grader can walk home from their bus stop.

Also I kind of followed what other parents did - which does not change the risk but helped me calibrate what was age appropriate

Depends on how drivers are in the neighborhood. I let my child walk alone at the beginning of 5th. Can you observe how well your child pays attention walking?

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.