Can You Duck Down to the Shops and Buy Me a Bottle Of Milk?

**Seekrit** · 14-12-2008 07:30

There's a good love.

I have been thinking of this question since I watched a Dr Phil episode about Free Range v Helicopter parents. And seeing some posts 'around the traps' regarding how 'unsafe' it is to send your children for a walk down the road to the shops by themselves.

So what age can you foresee yourself saying the phrase - or close to - in my title? Will you ever let your child walk to the shops by themselves, or walk anywhere by themselves? Do they/can they walk to school? Would you let them loose in the shopping centre without you by their side?

I'm a bit blas� in my world and I'm hanging out for the day I can send Cobes down to the shop at the corner (about 5 - 10 minute walk) for some milk. In fact I'm out of bread - why isn't he 8 now??!??! hehe.
My Aunty used to send me to the shops to buy her milk, bread and paper most mornings when I stayed with her, and I used to ride my bike to the shops for mum and dad at home (took too long to walk there).

So what about you? Is your upbringing the determining factor? Will you let your kids walk to the shops or is it too dangerous for your kids?

**Lastcenturymum** · 14-12-2008 07:45

Hee hee! I only let mine go together and when a lot older, but I often would get sent, though it wasn't as far, maybe 10 houses and around the corner. I remember really getting into trouble once cos I put the change on a seat to tie up my shoe and left it there - luckily it was there when I went dashing back!

**workin'mumof2** · 14-12-2008 07:48

i see myself as an overprotective parent on this subject as i cant vision myself ever letting either of my kids doing thing. at 8. (i think thats what your asking)

however i was never aloud to walk anywhere by myself till i left home at 15

. my dad even embarrassed me by waiting at the bus stop with me every morning. the only way i negotiated that was he would wait outside our house at the drive way.. you can see the bus stop from there. i wouldn't go that far i think. (i looked forward to when he was working mornings as my mum wouldnt do this.)

the news articles are enough to scare me though..

**Ffrenchknickers** · 14-12-2008 07:51

We live in a little country town...the kind of town where you see alot of young kids walking to the shop/school etc. I am not sure what age I will be comfortable with it....Toby is 8 and I am defiantely not ready. I trust him totally to do the right thing but I still dont trust other people...I always think of the Daniel Morcombe case and he was older.

There is a group of older bully type kids that go around the town on bikes too which definately worries me

He would love the responsibility of going to the shop himself....I do quite often (well, when I have cash on me and don't need to use EFTPOS) send him in to the shop while I wait in the car with the other 3 which is very handy....means I dont have to unload the other 3 and he is proud to help out.

**Areca** · 14-12-2008 08:10

When they are in highschool. My neice is 7 1/2 and no way does she seem old enough to walk to the shops by herself....not in this day and age.

**Pax** · 14-12-2008 08:36

my older girls were riding to school from grade 5 (age 9-10) and going to the shop etc.

my son has been doing it since year 4. (age 8-9)

My 8 year old daughter is nagging to do things now. She rode her scooter to school 1 time at the end of this year, she has gone down the local park a couple times with my son, which is a block away.

If i let myself i would be a helicopter parent.. i have so much fear and anxiety, but i dont want my kids growing up to be anxiety ridden stay at homes that dont know how to fend for themselves ..

its important to build their confidence. kids pretty much dictate to you when they are ready to do these things I believe. Mine demand to be let do these things, or i have to listen to their whinging and disappointment.

but somewhere between 8-10 is the right time IMO.

**BlueGin** · 14-12-2008 08:36

Depends if there are roads to cross...
Don't have any articles for you but read somewhere that children's depth/spatial perception isn't adequately developed for judging the speed of approaching cars till at least 12 years old!
Surprised me.
I'd probably do as Katie does and let him get out of the car and duck in, or walk to a park near the shops with the younger child and let him go to the shop where I can see him.
So I guess 13 for me? Sounds incredibly old doesn't it...

**WorkingClassMum** · 14-12-2008 08:53

My 7yo DS has been walking the 700 meters to school all year at least twice per week - on his own.

I have faced a lot of flack and crititism for letting him walk to school on his own

We live on the same road as the school, and he has to cross one side street

I won't be letting him get milk n bread from our corner store for quite awhile as its the corner of two main roads.

In saying that, there where over 4000 reported cases of child abuse in their homes this year, and less than 20 reported attempted abductions

(This may well be because parents don't let kids out of their sights though)

I think many parents cotton-wool their kids too much.

**Bron** · 14-12-2008 08:56

I certainly did it in primary school. I used to walk to school all the time, with my sister at first, but when she went to high school, on my own - so from when I was 10.

I also remember walking to the shops to pick things up when I was 9. Not sure if I did it any younger than that, but I have distinct memories of walking to the shops when we lived in the UK, so yes, 9.

**pinkgingham** · 14-12-2008 09:38

it would depend on where i was living. if i am still living here where i am now then i wouldnt feel comfortable having my kids go anywhere on their on until they are at least in high school.