Another How Old Was your Tween When You

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-07-1999
Another How Old Was your Tween When You
8
Fri, 04-27-2007 - 9:07am

allowed him/her to go to corner store on their bike?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 04-27-2007 - 9:26am

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.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
Fri, 04-27-2007 - 10:08am

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

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-06-2006
Fri, 04-27-2007 - 12:30pm
We live in a rural area, but my children go to their father's work after school in town everyday after school until I get off of work. They are 9 (soon to be 10) and just turned 11. Our town is very small and as safe as one can believe. They called me wanting to go about a blcol over to the Dollar General to get some snacks. I did let them go (walking) and had them take their cell phone. I had them call me when they got there, when they left, and when they returned to their Dad's work. They did OK with it, but I probably won't be letting them do it on a regualr basis. That's just me though, they would probably be just fine. I share your opinion in thinking they might not handle an unfamiliar situation with the best judgement.

Tonya
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 04-27-2007 - 9:16pm
Does it count that I send my kids out in the yard to collect eggs from the chickens?
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 04-27-2007 - 9:54pm

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

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-06-2006
Fri, 04-27-2007 - 10:22pm

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".

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-29-2003
Sat, 04-28-2007 - 9:14am

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.

Community Leader
Registered: 12-16-2003
Sat, 04-28-2007 - 10:23pm
We live in town with an old fashion candy store, a nice little book store and old movie theater only 5 blocks away. Dd has gone with friends for about 3 yars, she will be 13 in a few weeks. I also let her ride to the pool with friends which is just 7 blocks away. She rides her bike to school which is 2 miles on the nose, the newer Jr High on one end of town. I let her brother start tagging along last summer, he is 9 now.

Ramona  Mom to 2 great kids and wife to one wonderful hubby since 1990!