05-28-2010, 11:57 PM
iaJim wrote:
I think there is a fear that something will happen to your child walking to or from school on his/her own.
I have a tendency to agree, although I think those who suggest the kids need to be picked up so they can be quickly whisked off to some other activity are also correct about many. In the endeavor to make sure kids are kept busy and out of trouble, too many are being robbed of their chance to be kids without the pressure of intricate time management issues.
I sure am glad I'm not now parenting a child. My son walked or rode his bike to school from the time he was about 9. To him it was a sign of growing up and learning to become responsible. (And he hated the bus.) We actually lived quite a ways from the school, too, and there were no sidewalks. Guess what? He survived! I have this silly idea that if more kids were allowed to walk to and from school that there would be fewer who are overweight. Dumb, huh?