Hellobee Boards

That Brooklyn story was devastating.

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.

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.

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.

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.
I guess it really does have to do with the expectations and style of the community you live in.

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.

That is awful, what happened to that little boy.