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My Kids Stroll to School Solo, and It’s Absolutely Fantastic
Oct. 25, 2023
Not long ago, I stumbled upon the concept of International Walk to School Day. I mean, who knew there was a day dedicated to such a thing? I also had no clue about National Coloring Book Day or National Carrot Cake Day. But I digress.
International Walk to School Day is a pretty big deal! Kids, parents, and teachers flock to popular routes, walking together to school. Local news reporters show up, snapping photos and interviewing parents. For my family, however, it’s not just a day; it has become a month and even a year of walking to school!
Every morning and afternoon, my kids, along with their neighborhood pals, trek to and from school on their own—no adults in sight. In a world where helicopter parents and scheduled playdates reign supreme, it’s quite rare to see children walking unaccompanied. Yet, my kids, aged from first to fifth grade, manage this nearly every day (unless it’s pouring rain; then we carpool). Aside from the crossing guards at a couple of intersections, they’re on their own for a 3/4-mile stroll, and it’s nothing short of amazing.
Now, before you start judging, let me clarify—I’m not putting my kids in harm’s way. They know the route and are well-versed in the rules of staying together, recognizing strangers, and navigating traffic safely. Contrary to all the sensationalized fears about crime and kidnappings, it’s actually safer for kids today than it was back in the ’70s and ’80s when it was common for children to walk to school solo.
The Benefits of Walking to School Alone
Walking to school unaccompanied has numerous benefits that simply can’t be replicated by being driven or escorted by an adult. For starters, it provides them with a break from their otherwise tightly controlled schedules. Most of their time is overseen by adults in both school and home settings. Those 25-minute walks to and from school are precious moments of freedom that help them transition into and out of the structured environment of school life.
Moreover, their unsupervised jaunt allows them to develop essential social skills. They look out for each other in ways they might not if they had an adult hovering nearby. My youngest, in first grade, sometimes finds the walk a tad exhausting after a day of learning. He tends to slow down, pick up rocks, and hunt for “treasures” along the way. While the older kids might get a bit impatient, they stick together and support one another.
As a parent, one of my key roles is to nurture my kids into becoming self-sufficient individuals. To do that, they need chances to practice independence. On this relatively brief walk home, they can truly be kids, learning what it means to be self-reliant in a safe, albeit unsupervised, setting. Will they mess up occasionally? Absolutely! But let’s be real—growing up is a messy process, and independence comes with its fair share of growing pains.
And hey, it’s not just beneficial for my kids; it’s great for me too! They head out earlier and return home later, giving me over an hour of extra time to get things done before they arrive. Plus, I can finally avoid the nightmare that is the carpool line.
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In summary, allowing my kids to walk to school alone has opened up a world of independence, social skills, and benefits for both them and me. It’s a win-win situation that I wholeheartedly embrace.