2 miles for an 8 year old... - Page 3

[pianojazzgirl]

Last year, when the winter finally broke and we had a gloriously sunny spring day dh and I, with ds napping in the stroller walked 4.5 k (I think that's around 3 miles) to dd's school, picked her up, and walked back.  She was 5yo.  It was no problem whatsoever.

Usually we drive back and forth from school (we carpool with 2 other families in the neighbourhood), but besides that barely ever use the car.  Even in the coldest days of winter (and it gets COLD here) I'd say we walk a minimum of 30mins a day (15mins each way to the grocery store).  On good days, esp in the summer, we walk for hours.  Ds is 3yo and still spends some time in the stroller if it's a really long walk.  Dd is 6yo and has no problem keeping up with us.

OP, I think it's great that you get that much walking time in with dd.  I loved walking to and from school at that age (it was a little closer... I guess 1.5 miles). 

Biking is great too (dh plans to start taking dd to school on her bike starting in spring... her best friend and his dad biked to the same school from a bit farther starting in K).  OP, since you mention you have balance issues, have you thought about getting a recumbent trike?

[meemee]

Originally Posted by kristandthekids 

Are bikes something that could fit into the budget?  It would speed the trip along.

 i have to learn to ride the darn thing. that's the only thing stopping us from riding our bikes. i still have pulled up the courage to learn

because i am a co-parent with her dad and i switching everyday i just either have to drop her to school or pick her up. this semester i have been able to plan my day in such a way that we can do the walking. i think with brighter weather it will be much more fun walking. the other motivating factor is dd is getting ready for some serious hiking. like a strenous segment of the Pacific Crest Trail. 

 usually dd loves walking. we have been walking at least a mile one way to dc/ps. money wasnt a factor then so we could once a week stop for treats. a bagel or hot chocolate or a doughnut or sometimes even bfast. plus on that route we knew store owners so we'd stop to chat. so we created the fun.

on our walk now there is nothing interesting on the way. 

unfortunately we have a high school a block away from us, the middle school is ways away. and the neighborhood elem. which my dd doesnt go to really nearby. so she has not found a friend to walk with. definitely not anyone from her school. 

however i have found it is a great bonding experience. esp. on our way back.  it is worth every minute of the way. this is the first time dd is walking to school. this is the closest we have ever lived to her school. the first few times she was tired because of the 'we've got to make it to school on time things', but she is settling down. 

[MissSJ]

When I was a kid I sometimes chose to walk to 1 mile to middle school instead of ride the bus if a friend was also going.  In high school I had to walk about a mile and if I was alone I hated it because I found it boring.  I have been hiking with my boys (4 and 6) since they could walk and they definitely could walk 2 mi but it would take a long time. 

If walking to school 2 miles with dd works for you I think it is great but I don't think I would be comfortable with an 8yo walking 2 miles alone.

[carfreemama]

Any chance you could adopt a furry friend, meemee? You and your dd sound like ideal doggy owners and a little rescue would just LOVE to accompany you on those walks! Maybe it's not in the budget for you right now, or maybe you're not a dog person; but our family is car-free and walks everywhere and the tempo of your household sounds a lot like ours. Our collie mix rescue walks miles with us and dd loves seeing him waiting for her at school when I pick her up. It makes walking extra fun for all of us.

[beanma]

Hey mee-mee, have you thought about scooters, like Razor scooters? They're fun and quick and much easier to balance on than a bike, but they'll give you some balance practice for the day you decide to conquer that bike!

[meemee]

hey beanmama yes i have. for the same reason you stated. it will help me quite a bit.

carfreemama we would LOVE to. we are both real dog people but the budget is the issue. plus we are gone too often. plus i drop dd to school and then go off to work/school. just for the lack of time at home is the biggest reason for us to not get a dog. even if we came up with $$$s. 

and no my dd would never be walking alone. bad traffic.