Anonymous wrote:Could you start by meeting her halfway? Are there other children who walk, or who might also walk if she walked? Could she ride her bike?

To the PP at 14:53, when I was in elementary school, before cable TV, every kid walked, starting in kindergarten. Every kid. If you had said to the parents that an 8-year-old is not old enough to walk 10 blocks on her own, their jaws would have dropped in astonishment.

Really? Was it uphills both ways? In the snow?

I think you are romanticizing the past just a wee bit much. For one thing, not every kid walked -- many rode buses. For another, we didn't walk alone. We did it in groups. It's the "alone" bit that is the flaw in your rather simplistic comment.

The parents of yore were not particularly wise, anyway. I mean, there used to be smoking lounges for students at high schools. And there was forced busing. You really want to argue the imaginary virtue of doing things their way?

I'd look for a friend to walk with her. Maybe there's another kid who's parent has to pay for an after-school babysitter, who could come home with your daughter instead?

We're about to have our 10 yo begin walking home about the same distance. I'm getting him a bare bones cell phone so he can text me as he's leaving. Honestly it's more for my comfort than for his...but it's also a convenience to be able to communicate a change of plans, etc.

Is she walking alone? Any other kids that come your way?

Fwiw I walked 15 minutes to school from the time I was about 6. But there would be a pack of kids walking too, though I usually set out alone.

Anonymous wrote:Could you start by meeting her halfway? Are there other children who walk, or who might also walk if she walked? Could she ride her bike?

To the PP at 14:53, when I was in elementary school, before cable TV, every kid walked, starting in kindergarten. Every kid. If you had said to the parents that an 8-year-old is not old enough to walk 10 blocks on her own, their jaws would have dropped in astonishment.

When I was in elementary school, we all walked too (1980s). And many of us were latch-key kids. I lived at 10 blocks from my elementary, but, I wasn't walking to or from school alone at age 8, and I wasn't expected to carry a key and let myself in yet. We walked in groups and stayed at the neighbors'. If my eight year old wasn't comfortable walking, I wouldn't force it. But it would be worth seeing whether she can buddy up with another group of kids for at least part of the walk. When I was growing up, the older elementary school kids got money for walking the younger ones.

I would find a buddy for her to walk with

I dont think its to far to walk on her own.

when you go to get her do you walk? or drive?

I would make sure you are walking if not and she will get used to it.

When she calls and asks for a ride if there is not a valid reason you could also say no I will see you in 15 minutes...

What's she walking through? Nice resi homes or bus stops, gas stations, parking lots etc.?

Anonymous wrote:10 blocks is too far. That's a lot for an 8 year old.

How long does it take an 8-year-old to walk 10 blocks?

If they were Manhattan blocks, with 10 blocks = half a mile, it would take an adult 10 minutes. So let's say 15 minutes for an 8-year-old. 15 minutes is too long for an 8-year-old to walk?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Could you start by meeting her halfway? Are there other children who walk, or who might also walk if she walked? Could she ride her bike?

To the PP at 14:53, when I was in elementary school, before cable TV, every kid walked, starting in kindergarten. Every kid. If you had said to the parents that an 8-year-old is not old enough to walk 10 blocks on her own, their jaws would have dropped in astonishment.

The "way we did it when we were kids" argument just doesn't fly. Sorry.

Why doesn't it?

My kids walk home by themselves and have for the past two years, as well. They are 11 and 8, and started at 9 and 6. It isn't 10 blocks, though. It's 5. There is a crossing guard half-way. Many children in our neighborhood walk together or walk at the same time.

10 blocks is too far. That's a lot for an 8 year old.

If you insist on her doing this. I would bribe her. Every time she does it successfully, she gets a treat. I would also offer her a cheap, throw away cell phone to carry.

It all depends on YOUR child. If she's mature enough and feels ready, then let her walk. If she's not, then you shouldn't make her, NIMHO.

Anonymous wrote:I would not force it if she is not ready.

This. I totally think its perfectly fine for an 8 year old to walk 10 blacks home from school, however if shes not ready then drop it. Forcing her into a situation where she doesnt feel comfortable isnt going to make her feel more confident.

If there aren't other kids in your neighborhood walking then I would not expect her to walk alone. What do the other kids do in the neighborhood? If they aren't walking too, are they riding the bus? Can she ride the bus?

http://www.missingkids.com/en_US/documents/nismart2_nonfamily.pdf
DOJ report on nonfamily abducted children.