I also feel it makes a difference when kids can walk together in a group of siblings or with a group of friends

I live in the country so walking to school was never an option. If we lived in tge suburbs, I doubt I would be comfortable ever letting them walk to school alone. Too many things can go wrong

My 12 yr old son (yr 6) and 7 yr old daughter (yr 2) walk home from school together. The school is nearby and the roads aren’t too busy.

I think that is more-so based child by child… If you feel that your child is mature enough and know that they will be sure to be careful of traffic ect… I’d say sure go for it if you don’t live that far. If not, I would say wait until you are sure that they are mature enough to handle the responsibility…

this is a hard one for parents – I don\’t want to tell you what to do on this one, but feel there is safety in numbers x

I think 10 would be pk. depends how far/how busy roads are etc

It’s so hard to keep saying no and trying to explain why they can’t walk on their own, my daughter is 10 and has been asking to ride her bike by her self, we normally drive to and from school so now we are going to try riding together at least she can ride up ahead but I’ll be still close by.

I waited until high school for mine. Lots of busy roads near us and people reversing out of driveways in the mornings always worries me (still does with the teens!)

I wouldnt let my child walk to school on her own until she’s in high school, because my mum didn’t let me until I was 12 and I only lived 2 houses away from my school. These days it’s not safe because there are too many strange people that like to hang around schools.

There is no set age – but the best thing you can do for them is to walk together teaching the road rules so that when the time comes that you have to let them by neccessity, they are equipped with the right skills. I didn’t – and regretted it as the day came that I had no choice. I wished I had taken the time to teach her without pressure.

I would nevr let my children walk to or from school. Not when I can pick up or drop off or they can catch the school bus, there is no need.

definately not until high school like about grade 10 and only if we live on the same street and i can see her from my doorstep lol

i’m not going to embarrass them by being at the gate…or am i? hahaha

never can be too careful these days and children of all ages should be looked after because they might be grown but their brain is still developing and it’s still easy for them to get distracted and in saying that you still have to let them learn and develop

To be honest, never. Times have changed.

I haven’t but I thought maybe 8 or 10, not sure

depends on the age and maturity of the child, the safety of the route home, whether the traffic is light, whether they have to cross any street, whether there are houses along the route etc. You should walk them to school and pick them up until you are happy that it is safe for them to go without you. Safety is in numbers so they should always walk with a sibling or friend. Tell them not to stop or to talk to strangers no matter what. Keep an eye out for them coming home.

High school age Year 7 as there at that age when embarrassment sets in

I dont trust people so i will probably just drop my boys at school untill they at least hit high school.

We started at the age of 7 as we lived aro6nd corber from scholl and we met our son on our house corner as crossing lady was a friend and she sent a messgae he has crossed

I let mine at the age of 8 when they were in year 3. I felt they had been at school for three years now, so were a bit more aware etc.

Depends on the child really. My nearly 9 year old could be trusted to walk to school in terms of he likes school and would go promptly and not be late… But there’s the small matter of a country highway with logging trucks and other traffic travelling at 70 or more km/h.

Now that the weather is more clement I’m thinking that I can walk with them half way and let him walk the safer half with his younger brother.