My mom let me stay home alone for about an hour each day when I was in third grade -- reluctantly but because she was a single mother earning a low salary and couldn't afford a babysitter. The rule was that I had to stay inside with the door locked and only answer the phone if she called. (Before caller ID, so she would let it ring twice, hang up, then call again, so I'd know it was her.)

I would really not risk it. maybe practice crossing the road a few times but there is always a risk. Could you arrange for another classmate parents to drop him home?

Anonymous wrote:
Scheduling nightmare. For one day of the week, I can't pick up my 4th grader from school and will come home an hour and a half after school ends.

School is less than a 5 minute walk to our house. However, there is a narrow but busy street to cross. I don't anticipate any problems inside the house, since DS is a responsible fellow. I am worried about him crossing the street and getting hit by a car turning right on red.

It's crazy, right?

My fifth grader just started walking home from a summer program. I was also particularly worried about the right turn on red issue--he knows to look both ways, but it doesn't occur to him to look behind him to see if someone is turning. We practiced it several times. He had to cross two very busy streets, but did OK. And loved being able to watch TV for an hour every day until I got home!

Anonymous wrote:Depends on the neighborhood. I like the idea of having an older kid do it and pay them a few bucks a day to do this.

My sister reminded me that we walked 1.5 miles to kindergarten in a less than safe area. I would never do this today. I wouldn't want to risk a child molester.

Are you seriously worried about a child molester? Oh well.

Traffic is much more dangerous. A car that drives 30 miles per hour can easily kill a child [or adult, for that matter].

OP here.

Thank you PPs.

I was hit by a speeding car at 10, so I may not have the right perspective here.
Sadly there are no elementary school walkers going our way this coming year.

I will practice crossing that street with DS and see how he handles it.

Depends on the neighborhood. I like the idea of having an older kid do it and pay them a few bucks a day to do this.

My sister reminded me that we walked 1.5 miles to kindergarten in a less than safe area. I would never do this today. I wouldn't want to risk a child molester.

Anonymous wrote:
Scheduling nightmare. For one day of the week, I can't pick up my 4th grader from school and will come home an hour and a half after school ends.

School is less than a 5 minute walk to our house. However, there is a narrow but busy street to cross. I don't anticipate any problems inside the house, since DS is a responsible fellow. I am worried about him crossing the street and getting hit by a car turning right on red.

It's crazy, right?

Does your DS want to do this?
Can you find other kids for him to walk with?
Can you give him a phone so he can call you before he leaves school and as soon as he gets home?
Can you do the walk with him several times making sure he follows all the rules of the sidewalk/road?
Would he be willing to wear safety gear like some joggers do, in order to increase his visibility?
Would you be able to make other accommodations when the weather is bad or if he got scared?

Why don't you do a practice run where you you follow a few times and don't say a word.

Anonymous wrote:See if there are other kids that might be walking in the same direction. They could walk together. Could also spend the next few weeks practicing with kid. In my neighborhood, there were a number of "walkers" all leaving school at the same time, so they crossed the street together as a group.

+1

See if there are other kids that might be walking in the same direction. They could walk together. Could also spend the next few weeks practicing with kid. In my neighborhood, there were a number of "walkers" all leaving school at the same time, so they crossed the street together as a group.

Of course.

Is it a controlled intersection -- i.e. with a light? If so, yes. If you're worried about it, could you do a trade with a nearby friend -- you walk the friend home one day, and friend walks your kid home the other day.

No, but she could take the train home. Her school was 3 miles away.

If it were five minutes away I'd say yes. Just have him call you when he gets home.

It's crazy assuming that a 9 year old is a responsible fellow.

Scheduling nightmare. For one day of the week, I can't pick up my 4th grader from school and will come home an hour and a half after school ends.

School is less than a 5 minute walk to our house. However, there is a narrow but busy street to cross. I don't anticipate any problems inside the house, since DS is a responsible fellow. I am worried about him crossing the street and getting hit by a car turning right on red.

It's crazy, right?