Yes...I allowed my 10 year old to.......would you?

[Anonymous]

My sister is all in a tizzy because I allowed my 10 year old to stay at the church fall festival byhimself and then walk home alone. We went as a family the kids and I but my youngest DD is 4 and she got cold and wanted to go home. This was about 2:45. My DS asked could he stay and just walk home. Its about a half a mile from home so I said ok just be home by 5:00 pm. He had his phone and made it home by 4:50 because he didn't want to be late. Now my sister is telling me I'm crazy and a bad mom. Would you let your son walk home?

[ElitestJen]

A half mile, yes.  I'd allow it.

[Fields456]

No but we live In the country so are too far from anything

[ColtsFan1912]

Not here I wouldn't. If we still lived in Indiana I would.  our town was pretty quiet, small & safe.

[southern.momof2]

My oldest is only 8, depends on his maturity level at 10.

[Hilary799]

There is a church on the main road in front of our neighborhood. Like it's our neighborhood, the church and then the main road. I would allow my 10 yr old and my 8 yr old to walk home.

[Anonymous - Original Poster]

Now yes my 8 year old DD has more freedom than my 14 year old DD had at that age. I have definately relaxed with the younger kids. Also we used to live in a not so nice are. Here its not the best but its fairly safe.

Quoting DolphinFan85:

nope, i would have never let my child do that.

Question to you though------Would you have done the same if he were a girl?

[Kmary]

Yup.  In a heartbeat.  And sounds like your child was totally ready for it (getting home early on purpose) and prepared as much as anyone can be (had a phone with him).  Sounds like a great learning/maturing experience for him.  I bet he felt really proud that you let him do something so "grown up."

[Anonymous]

Everything she said. 

Quoting Anonymous:

No I would not. However, I may just be overprotective. I'm not sure. I don't think you're a bad mom though for allowing your son to walk home.

[ElitestJen]

Quoting Momniscient:

Yes. I think that the trend toward restricting our kids has become really tiresome. It isn't reasonable to judge other parents who allow their kids to do things that one wouldn't do themselves.

There is NO guarantee of safety just as there is no guarantee that wrapping kids in bubble wrap is going to make them productive. I allow my child to do age appropriate things that may include some things that helicopter parents would absolutely have a coronary over.

This is a very eye opening and interesting article.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/krulwich/2012/10/01/162079442/do-you-know-where-your-children-are-is-that-always-a-good-thing

Seriously!   When I was 10 years old, my dad dropped me off in Cambridge, MA with money to take some classes.  I took the Boston T to where I needed to be and carried on with the day.  He went to work 40 miles away then returned to pick me up about 8 hours later. 

By the time I was 7, I could navigate any international airport without an escort. 

I'm not that lenient, but its ridiculous how overbearing helicopter parenting has become.

[Anonymous]

There is a search going on in colorado for a 10yr old girl believed to be abducted.