mixedmedia

Here in the Orlando area, school starts next week. Because of my work and school schedules, I have decided to let my daughter, who is nine, walk home from school one day a week.

The school is about 3/4 of a mile away and the walk home will be up a street with heavy traffic, although she will not have to cross the street. The sidewalk is always crowded with other children walking home after school, so I'm not overly concerned about someone trying to snatch her on the street or anything...at least, not consciously. I'm more concerned about her letting herself into the apartment and being here alone...even though she will alone only for a couple of hours.

She is very excited about this. To her it's a very 'grown up' thing. It means she gets her own cell phone and a key to our apartment. I like the idea that this might help her become more independent and self-confident...qualities that have never been a strong suit with her.

How old were your kids when they started walking home from school alone or otherwise were left to fend for themselves out in the world? If you don't have kids, how old were you when your parents started letting you off the leash, so to speak?

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