Another How Old Was your Tween When You
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Another How Old Was your Tween When You
| Fri, 04-27-2007 - 9:07am |
allowed him/her to go to corner store on their bike?
| Fri, 04-27-2007 - 9:07am |
allowed him/her to go to corner store on their bike?
DYK ... I don't like her to go "alone" but I started allowing her to go with other kids just this year. We have a lot of younger kids on the street so there was never really the chance to go just kids because a parent would go along with the little ones (its about 4 blocks to the donut shop and gas station) or one of the older teens on the street would go with them. Last fall and this year she has gone with some other kids her own age a few times. My biggest fear is that they have to go through the parking lot at the gas station which is shared with the donut shop and it is always very busy with 3 entrances and exits and cars all over the place I'm more worried about them on their bikes not seeing a car coming. Walking its fine, they are moving slower and more aware.
So she was about 11 or so the first time I let her go. Not sure she's every gone totally alone, she's not into that. Oh and kids don't hang out there at all, just go to buy donuts or junk food and leave so I don't worry about that. Its the only store that's really within biking or walking distance to us. The joy of the burbs.
Connor was 9 years old when I started letting him go to the corner store on his bike. At 13 he goes everywhere, School, library, city pool, church, dentist's office, friend's homes etc...
stacy
Tonya
Possibly a blessing in disguise, but our streets aren't made for walkers/bikers. In the neighborhood is fine, but out of the neighborhood, we go right onto a BUSY highway with no sidewalks and very deep ditches and sharp curves (lots of car accidents...one house in particular has changed their fence at least 6 times since we've been here).
There are teens who go through our yards and go the back way, but I would never allow that due to obvious reasons, and not so obvious like the field they walk through (snakes, rats).
Not that it matters, but when I was young (in another city), there were lots of places we could bike/walk to. The post office, the little store, the church, the library, the pool, even my orthodontist's office. My mom died when I was 10 and my grandma didn't drive and my dad worked. So, I had to walk or bike to my own ortho appts with my dad's check for the payment.
Alysha
Edited 4/27/2007 9:59 pm ET by alygator
Evan was about 9.5 when I sent him to 7-11 (about 6 blocks away) to get milk on his bike for the first time. I figured on his bike he was less of a target for "bad guys" because he could move faster. He's got a pretty level head when it comes to emergencies too. He took my cell phone and was under strict orders to go straight there and back. Earlier this year (just after her turned 10) he went to Cinnabon about 1/2 mile away) to get dh's birthday breakfast. Again, cell phone and strict orders. He called when he got there because they didn't open until 7:00 and he got there at 6:55. I told him to hang out for a few minutes, get breakfast and come home. Mission accomplished and yummy!
When I was in middle school (5th grade)I walked home (about a mile) every day and sort of "cruised" the strip malls along Main Street (which was the most direct route home) on my way home on occasion. Small town, well travelled street so low potential for "danger".
We don't live near any stores like that - lol. I laugh just thinking how far my kids would have to walk or ride to a convenience store, probably 5 miles on a main road.
We own our own business "in town" and I would drop them off at the movies and let them go next door to the dollar store and walk back to my office in the complex. They were 9 and 11 at the time and they had a cell phone with them. I had them call me from place to place.
Now they're 13 and 10 and we moved our office to a little teeny tiny town center. If I needed to go to work and bring them they could wander up and down the street together if they wanted.
Ramona Mom to 2 great kids and wife to one wonderful hubby since 1990!