Editorials & Other Articles

No Vested Interest

(5,163 posts)

14. More like 7, rather than 5.

Sun Sep 11, 2022, 06:35 PM

Sep 2022

By that time they will have 2-3 years of school behind them, giving them more experience in how to react to situations that might arise.

It's not just strangers and neighbors, it's any emergency that could occur in the park or along the way. By 7 they'll have a much broader view of how to act and react in the wider world outside the home and immediate view of parents and neighbors who know them.

Sure I at 7 or 8 walked 7-8 miles from my home to my dad's downtown office, along a busy throughway. Spotted by a neighbor who notified my parents, so Dad was expecting me when I arrived. Parents were not happy about that adventure. But that was then. wouldn't recommend it now, nor want my child doing such.

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I'm Afraid My Neighbors Will Call Cops if My Kids Walk Alone [View all] Jilly_in_VA Sep 2022 OP

I agree with you that it's difficult for kids to Quakerfriend Sep 2022 #1

I agree that five is too young. Laffy Kat Sep 2022 #13

I grew up in a small town. When I got my bike in jr. high I was just about anywhere in town. Thomas Hurt Sep 2022 #2

I think 5 is too young. Too many things could happen. Karadeniz Sep 2022 #3

I agree with you.... too young to be out of ear-shot MissMillie Sep 2022 #22

When I was in kindergarten, I walked 7 blocks to and from school. rsdsharp Sep 2022 #4

In '65 I started 1st grade. Igel Sep 2022 #15

I think lots of bad things happened back then also JI7 Sep 2022 #27

This message was self-deleted by its author Tetrachloride Sep 2022 #5

I also think 5 is too young. Deuxcents Sep 2022 #6

I do too, and I was a young child in the 1940's. At that age marybourg Sep 2022 #10

I raised my only son in the 1970's, and in those days it was much easier FakeNoose Sep 2022 #7

I think 5 is too young but a lot depends kacekwl Sep 2022 #8

What my sister & I got by with in a relatively small town when growing up is light years away from hlthe2b Sep 2022 #9

When I was 5 Jilly_in_VA Sep 2022 #11

BINGO! OldBaldy1701E Sep 2022 #21

To me it's not just that someone might do something terrible to the child MissMillie Sep 2022 #24

Well, all I can say is this. OldBaldy1701E Sep 2022 #26

I don't watch videos. MissMillie Sep 2022 #30

Break a bone? Really? Jilly_in_VA Sep 2022 #28

OK, so when the kid does break a bone while s/he's ALONE on a playground... MissMillie Sep 2022 #29

Most kids Jilly_in_VA Sep 2022 #31

If I knew the other kids or adults MissMillie Sep 2022 #33

I think you are being ridiculous Jilly_in_VA Sep 2022 #35

And I think it's rude of you to call me names because you disagree with me. MissMillie Sep 2022 #37

......... Jilly_in_VA Sep 2022 #38

Me and my young friends were free... Buckeye_Democrat Sep 2022 #12

My kids were up and down the block Jilly_in_VA Sep 2022 #36

Oh, yes! I had Big Wheels too! Buckeye_Democrat Sep 2022 #39

More like 7, rather than 5. No Vested Interest Sep 2022 #14

I would not let 5 year olds go alone Frances Sep 2022 #16

I think I was about 5 MiniMe Sep 2022 #17

I grew up in Millburn, N.J. I lived across the street from the Papermill Playhouse. 3Hotdogs Sep 2022 #18

The only thing I would say is this. I was 7 and my sister was 5 we walked to school in a Demsrule86 Sep 2022 #19

I just feel sorry for the kids today. slightlv Sep 2022 #20

I do too Jilly_in_VA Sep 2022 #32

Remember Halloweens in the dark with no parents tagging along?! slightlv Sep 2022 #34

Imagine a world where children of any age are safe anywhere. twodogsbarking Sep 2022 #23

I think you mean Japan masmdu Sep 2022 #25

In Japan Jilly_in_VA Sep 2022 #40