https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 05:47:10 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-lo-have-to-be-before-you-would-let-them-walk-to-school-alone#post-7445 Sun, 30 Oct 2011 22:42:12 +0000 rawrasaur 7445@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think that elementary kids should really never walk to school completely alone unless it is literally a block away and you can watch them go. Even middle school is iffy imo. Once they are big enough to really fend for themselves then it might be an option. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-lo-have-to-be-before-you-would-let-them-walk-to-school-alone#post-7423 Sun, 30 Oct 2011 18:50:21 +0000 LazyLightning 7423@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmm. I think this will depend a great deal on where we live. If we lived where we live now, I would let them walk alone as soon as they showed the intelligence/responsibility to do so. (if they're 6 or 7 or 8, whatever). But we live in a very safe area--one of the top 10 best places for children even. If we move from here--which we probably will--I would reevaluate based on the area. </p> <p>That is awful, what happened to that little boy. :-( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-lo-have-to-be-before-you-would-let-them-walk-to-school-alone#post-7407 Sun, 30 Oct 2011 16:13:27 +0000 Laneybugsmommy 7407@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live literally a 5 minute walk from a high school so I imagine our daughter will walk once she's in high school (same as my brother and I did). We're also too close to an elementary/middle school for busing but too far in my opinion to let her walk. Won't feel safe until she's in high school most likely. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-lo-have-to-be-before-you-would-let-them-walk-to-school-alone#post-7399 Sun, 30 Oct 2011 13:54:37 +0000 MegWag 7399@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband and I have talked about this because we leave near a conservative Jewish area where it's not uncommon to see really young kids out walking by themselves. It always surprises me, but my husband says they've always done it and you never hear about anything bad happening to any of the kids.<br /> I guess it really does have to do with the expectations and style of the community you live in. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-lo-have-to-be-before-you-would-let-them-walk-to-school-alone#post-7398 Sun, 30 Oct 2011 13:45:20 +0000 looch 7398@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Probably never. </p> <p>Seriously though, where I live now, kids in kindergarten walk to school alone. There is no bussing, so you either walk or take a public train. Parents are very rarely walking with their kids. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-lo-have-to-be-before-you-would-let-them-walk-to-school-alone#post-7381 Sun, 30 Oct 2011 12:53:42 +0000 Boogs 7381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used to walk home at 7 or 8, but I also had my sister. I will probably let our kids when they are in middle school, but don't think I would let them alone, they would have to be in a group just because I feel like there is safety in numbers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-lo-have-to-be-before-you-would-let-them-walk-to-school-alone#post-7379 Sun, 30 Oct 2011 12:49:03 +0000 chopsuey 7379@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I plan on dropping my kids off at school every day. -.- I used to walk home from school when I was.. 5? I had my 8 year old sister with me though. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-lo-have-to-be-before-you-would-let-them-walk-to-school-alone#post-7378 Sun, 30 Oct 2011 12:46:57 +0000 tequiero21 7378@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>unless we live in a really safe neighborhood near school (like less than a mile), i don't think i'd want my kids to walk home. jhs is the earliest i think. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-lo-have-to-be-before-you-would-let-them-walk-to-school-alone#post-7331 Sun, 30 Oct 2011 00:36:46 +0000 yin 7331@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We live very close to the elementary school that my LO will most likely be attending once he is old enough. I can't imagine letting him walk by himself to school, but I see it all the time in the mornings and afternoons. Kids usually travel in groups of 2 or more (usually siblings) with no parents in sight. We do live in a very safe part of town, but I will not be letting my LO walk alone. I'm too paranoid. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-lo-have-to-be-before-you-would-let-them-walk-to-school-alone#post-7273 Sat, 29 Oct 2011 20:24:36 +0000 Andrea 7273@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>That Brooklyn story was devastating.</p> <p>Yes, it does depend on a lot of factors but I feel like I wouldn't let my daughter walk home until junior high at least and I live in the suburbs. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-old-would-your-lo-have-to-be-before-you-would-let-them-walk-to-school-alone#post-7269 Sat, 29 Oct 2011 20:09:30 +0000 mrbee 7269@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>After the 8-year-old Brooklyn boy was killed walking home from day camp, everyone was asking themselves the same question... was 8 years old too young to be walking alone?</p> <p><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-07-13-brooklyn-boy-killed-dismembered_n.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2011-07-13-brooklyn-boy-killed-dismembered_n.htm</a></p> <p>I think it depends on a lot of factors. Since we're in the city currently, I think I'd wait until Charlie was at least 12 or so before letting him go somewhere alone. Then again, maybe that's late. I just don't know. Stuff like this happens, and you get so nervous about your kids.</p> <p>How old would your LO have to be before you would let them walk to school alone? </p>