Walking to School and Back from School.

B., I am one perinoid mom too, but I think we have to be. Look at the new devlopments in the JonBennet case. That guy said that he was in love with her and he had been admiring her on the paegent scene. There are LOTS of creeps out there! You also can't smother your son because then he'll think that you don't trust him. I would check the registry for the sex offenders in your area, and if any are on his route, take him by thier house, show him their picture,so he knows what to look out for. Also, we bought one of those walkie talkies that work for up to 3 miles. Have one at his friends house that he can pick up when his friend gets to his house and the other one at home, so you can beep him( or he you) whenever you want. We live 2 doors down from the county sheriff and he has a12 year old son, and I know they also do these things for their son. Have his friend call you when they get to his house so you have an idea of how long it will be till he gets home. Also, show him what to do if someone does grab him. Tell him it's o.k. to bite, kick in the groin, pull their eyeballs out, sometimes kids need to know that when someone threatens you, you need to forget all social niceties.

get some wakie talkies, thats what I do with mine.
I make him turn it on if he wants to walk, thats good compromising, or one of those cell phones that are cheap.
good luck

Hi B.,
I dont think your fears are with out merit. we live in scary times. Ten is still young and safety is not always in proportion to a childs maturity. Even adults have to be careful were they walk alone. If you dont feel comfortable with your son walking I say drive him. We only get to protect them for so long. I will not let my son walk alone for many years. Best of luck to you.
L.

They always say intuition and gut feelings should never be ignored!

If you feel it is not safe to let your son walk alone yet, don't. You don't want to deal with the what if's or should haves later if something, even minor did ever happen.

If you can drive him or walk with him, do it. If you can't do it every day, maybe talk to the parents of his friend or other moms on the block and maybe you can all work together to take turns carpooling or walking the children to and from school.

You will be surprised how moms will unite with neighbors to protect their children and to help out a fellow mom.

Some schools even have a place on their web site to link you up with other parents who want to car pool or ride share.

I know what you're going through! I have two grown children and two younger children ages 10 and 6. We don't have bus service because we live too close to the school but not close enough in my opinion! I either walk my kids to school or drive them. I will not let them walk alone. I have seen other kids that walk alone and they do such stupid stuff...hanging off the bridge etc.

I don't let my kids do a lot of stuff that other parents do and sometimes it's a little frustrating but you know what? I'm not worrying about it anymore. I know my kids are safe and I always know where they are. My two oldest ones helped me with this....they are both in the Army now and we've talked about this and they say at times they got mad at me but looking back they are glad that I am the way I am. Neither of them got into any trouble at all growing up except one time my daughter went to an after prom party her senior year and drank. She got sick of course! lol

Living here I've had kindergarden kids come down to my house and I have no idea where they live, who their parents are or nothing and I've had the same age kids come over to my house that live several blocks away and it just amazes me that parents allow these small children to roam the city unattended.

So I guess what I'm getting at in this "book" is if you don't feel comfortable letting your 10 year old walk to school - then don't do it. You don't have to "let go" at 10 years of age. Don't let other people guilt you into doing something that you don't feel comfortable doing. Now if your child is 19 and you're still walking him/her to college....well then maybe there's an issue! lol

Disney has a new cell phone for kids that has a tracking device, I know 10 yrs old might be young to have a cell, but the tracking device alone makes me want to buy it. Good luck, J.