toomuchreality
Senior Associate
Joined: Sept 3, 2011 10:28:25 GMT -5
Posts: 16,861
Favorite Drink: Sometimes I drink water... just to surprise my liver!
|
Post by toomuchreality on May 26, 2013 8:35:42 GMT -5
In the city I work in, in upstate NY, ANYONE (including Kindergarten) that lives less than a mile from school HAS to walk. I see 5, 6, 7 year olds walking alone all the time, and not in the greatest neighborhoods. This is how it was, and still is, where I live too. I walked further to school when I was in kindergarten, first and second grade, than I did 3rd, through 6th grade (a new school had been built that was closer). 7th through 9th grade was back to the schools where I started. I didn't start getting a ride until I was in high school (10th grade). It sucked when I missed the bus then, and had to walk! I was with my best friend after school one day when I was about 6 or 7. We were on our way to his house and had to cross a semi-busy street to get there. The same street we crossed every day on the way to and from school. When the traffic cleared he said come on, now! Just as he got in to the street, a car made a right turn from behind us, and killed him. -I still had to walk to school. I took a karate class when I was in my mid-thirties. During the second class I got beat up by the woman I had been partnered with. I didn't bother going back. You bet I was concerned for my kids growing up. I still am. But this is part of growing up. Teaching your kids to be careful and what to watch for etc. is one thing. Teaching them fear, that disables them is another. (NOT suggesting that any of you are teaching fear. Just saying.)
|
|
Deleted
Joined: Oct 6, 2024 4:18:36 GMT -5
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 26, 2013 9:48:22 GMT -5
I think my biggest nightmare, with letting my children walk alone anywhere at that age, would be some creep grabbing them and me never ever knowing where they went. This has happened to children who were walking within sight of their own house. Nope. Not until they were old enough to defend themselves would I do it. I think all kids should have self-defense classes. when they're old enough to defend themselves? full grown adults get abducted....were they old enough to defend themselves?
|
|
Malarky
Junior Associate
Truth and snark are equal opportunity here.
Joined: Dec 18, 2010 21:00:51 GMT -5
Posts: 5,313
|
Post by Malarky on May 26, 2013 20:31:51 GMT -5
DD is a 2nd degree black belt in karate. She's been doing it since she was 5. She can kick my ass and could do so since she was about 7. She has been winning sparring competitions for years.
The reality is though, that if it really came down to it, she is full grown. At nearly 16 she is as big as she will ever be. Five feet, 120 pounds of solid athletic muscle. Anyone larger than her, most likely an adult male, could overwhelm her. Not that she would go easily, and anyone who really challenged her would have injuries to show for it. But she can not take on a full grown adult male and expect to win.
That's why I expect her to have other common sense skills in her arsenal as well.
Which we have been honing since she was very young, starting with letting her walk home from school in a safe neighborhood when she was really young.
|
|