When is a child old enough

I do think it depends on the area. If you live in an area where you know the neighbours and there are lots of families, why shouldn't your child walk a block or two? Small towns are different from cities, for one thing, and for another, my parents walked home from school by themselves, and my sisters and I walked home from school by themselves. Around here, I think about age 8 would be reasonable. I see a lot of 8 year olds walking to the playground by themselves. But then, around here, everyone knows each other and you can be sure that even if you aren't outside, there are a number of other dads or moms and older children at the playground, washing cars, walking home from work or school, or playing hockey.

My mom and dad did not let me go home alone until I went to college. To be exact, there were still a few times they would drop me and pick me up from the University at that time. I did not feel bad at all. I know they only care for me and wants what is good for me. I also think that it is easier for me to be dropped by and picked up so that I will not have to worry about traffic and crowded terminals. I think that children should not be left alone to go home or to go to school or even play along the streets. Our time is not safe anymore, we have seen children being hit in the streets and whether we like it or not, when that happens, the first question will be,"Where are their parents during that time?" Parents should be protecting their children and I don't think that there is a right age to stop protecting them against the dangers of this world. I am married now but my parents still see me as their little girl. They will still worry a lot about me and would always warn me not to go out by myself... I think that when I become a parent, I will also do like they did when I am growing up.

Hello Chelsit. My youngest daughter will be 9 years old this September but I do not allow her to walk by herself even on our street. Not that I do not trust my daughter, but I really don't trust the motorcycle drivers in the neighborhood. I did allow my eldest daughter to walk by herself on our neighborhood only when she reached her teens. Both the girls are still not allowed to travel from school to our house by themselves until now because we live very far from their school. My husband would bring us to school and office then we go home too together.