Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it is sad this question even has to be asked. 12yr old is one year away from a teen. Crossing busy streets? If not now, when? 13, 14, 15??? They are going to be DRIVING at 16yrs old. At least let them start crossing a road and gaining some independence. Not sure why most parents aren't teaching their kids basic life skills. So many people worry about grades and athletics but kids as old as 8 can't tie shoes or kids that are 12 can't cross a street? I just find it really weird how people parent these days, especially in this area.

Look at the intersection of Franconia and Van Dorn in Alexandria, that the PP posted about. Look at the intersection of Old Georgetown Road and Rockville Pike in North Bethesda. Look at the intersection in the 5800 block of Riverdale Road in Riverdale. Now think about a 12-year-old crossing the street there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is wanting more freedom. He has plans with a friend later in the week and wants to walk there himself. It is probably about a mile and a quarter or so away, and it involves crossing two major intersections. I am very reluctant, but then I think perhaps I'm being overprotective and need a reality check. Thoughts? TIA.

Oh HELL no. No way in hell would I let my kid do this. I don't care how mature your he is. Outside of the fact that he has to cross two intersections - which is very dangerous for even adults to do anymore, there are way too many crazies out there just looking for opportunities to do horrible things.

I live in downtown Bethesda and the number of insane and distracted drivers who fly through intersections - WHILE there are pedestrians crossing is mind boggling.

I am literally shocked by the amount of people giving answers like this. It's "very dangerous" for an adult to cross an intersection? Seriously? What a horrendously boring life you must live (and inflict upon your poor kid).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is wanting more freedom. He has plans with a friend later in the week and wants to walk there himself. It is probably about a mile and a quarter or so away, and it involves crossing two major intersections. I am very reluctant, but then I think perhaps I'm being overprotective and need a reality check. Thoughts? TIA.

Oh HELL no. No way in hell would I let my kid do this. I don't care how mature your he is. Outside of the fact that he has to cross two intersections - which is very dangerous for even adults to do anymore, there are way too many crazies out there just looking for opportunities to do horrible things.

I live in downtown Bethesda and the number of insane and distracted drivers who fly through intersections - WHILE there are pedestrians crossing is mind boggling.

I am literally shocked by the amount of people giving answers like this. It's "very dangerous" for an adult to cross an intersection? Seriously? What a horrendously boring life you must live (and inflict upon your poor kid).

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DS is wanting more freedom. He has plans with a friend later in the week and wants to walk there himself. It is probably about a mile and a quarter or so away, and it involves crossing two major intersections. I am very reluctant, but then I think perhaps I'm being overprotective and need a reality check. Thoughts? TIA.

Oh HELL no. No way in hell would I let my kid do this. I don't care how mature your he is. Outside of the fact that he has to cross two intersections - which is very dangerous for even adults to do anymore, there are way too many crazies out there just looking for opportunities to do horrible things.

I live in downtown Bethesda and the number of insane and distracted drivers who fly through intersections - WHILE there are pedestrians crossing is mind boggling.

Anonymous wrote:

I think every parent chooses a way to instill independence that works for them and their child, and it is wrong to bully or ridicule others for their decisions -- God knows there is enough of that in the parenting community already, on subjects ranging from breastfeeding to college admissions. The problem is that individual parents's decisions add up to a societal shift, were the current generation of kids is somehow seen as more vulnerable and less capable than the previous one. It's easy to say "parent your own kids and let me parent mine", but when my kid goes outside on his own and can't find anyone to play with, or keeps getting stopped by people who think he must be lost, or when police and CPS investigators show up at my door because another well-meaning person called them -- then your fears and risk-aversion become my problem too.