Sebastian's first walk home

[bobquasit]

Sebastian's bus arrived early, before Teri had gone to pick him up. They told him he was a big boy and could walk to our house (it's half a block away from the stop). He was nervous, but made the walk; he was at the door when Teri stepped out.

Teri was furious. She wanted me to call the school to complain, but I thought it wiser to just ask the driver and her assistant not to do that again. If we complain to the school, their jobs could be jeopardized. And I don't want them to have a grudge against us or Sebastian! But am I being too diplomatic? He's nine, but he's awfully big and (usually) mature for his age.

Comments

[janewilliams20.livejournal.com]

"half a block" doesn't tell me a lot, but if he's nine, I can't say I see the problem with say half a mile or so's walk.

[donnad.livejournal.com]

At nine years old and mature for his age, he's old enough to walk half a block alone. Especially since you were expecting him and would go looking for him if he didn't show up within minutes of his usual time. I think he knows he needs to walk straight home and not goof off.

When I was five and in first grade, after my mother walked me the first week, I walked the 1/4 mile to the bus stop, that wasn't even visible from my house, alone, every day.

[cakeinoz.livejournal.com]

Half a block should be fine at his age. We moved into the city (DC) when I was 7, by the time I was 9 I was walking several blocks by myself (runs to the corner store a few blocks away or whatever) and by 10 I was walking home from school about 12 city blocks away (tho I had friends with me for half the trip or so, dropping off along the way when they'd reach their houses). It's all a learning process.