Age to walk home alone

[MommaMouse]

My ex wants our D6 to walk to and from his place. He lives 6 blocks away, although we live in a small town (10 000 people) I'm weary of her walking home in the dark, since it is dark at six. She is not a bubble wrapped kid and enjoys the freedom of our street, but I don't let her off the street without a babysitter or adult.
How old would you say is old enough to walk 6 blocks alone at 6pm (it's pretty dark here at 6) ?

[Epona]

How old is your daughter? Is she comfortable walking home 6 blocks from school when it is dark? Is there a "safe" house she can go to just in case something happens? (Is there some sort of "Block Parent" program?) Can she walk home with a classmate?

[Gary M]

I don't think you can put an age on something like this, as all kids are different BUT my gut reaction is that 6 is perhaps waaaaaaaaay too young to safely navigate traffic.

And then there's the nasty-people factor. I, personally, wouldn't let any kid walk alone at night until they were old enough to be able to make wise choices (DON'T help the man in the van find his lost puppy) and to be able to contribute somewhat to their defence (kick, scream, attract attention). I don't think 6 makes the cut here either.

My kids are older, though, and I can't remember when they were 6 (grin) YMMV

Cheers!

Gary

[MommaMouse]

My daughter is 6, This will be at 6 at night (after visitation not after school). My ex does not want to exchange at our normal exchange point. There is no "Block parent" That program was elimanated in our area for fear of some perv's were using it to lure children years ago. The street is very quiet, Houses are all very far back from street. I haven't been able to ask her if she is comfortable with it as she is at her Dad's today and he informed me of her walking home tonight.

[MommaMouse]

Gary,
YMMV? You make me vomit .....or...... your method may vary?

[Gary M]

Originally Posted by MommaMouse

Gary,
YMMV? You make me vomit .....or...... your method may vary?

"Your Mileage May Vary" - a disclaimer often (always?) used in automotive advertising when manufactuters are boasting the fuel efficiency of their vehicles, here meaning that my opinion is just that, and not to be taken for fact

Cheers!

Gary

[mcdreamy]

ummm. No on that one!

We live in a small community as well, and I would be ok with it if our daughter was paired up with someone. 0ur next door neighbour had a daughter the same age, and the 2 of them would walk together after school, so I let that go. We trained them to travel in packs, by the end of Grade 6 there was a gang of 12 walking together down our streets. But I see in your case it's not after school.

[hadenough]

I'm with the NAY'S. 6 is waaaay too young. I'd say 8 or 9 yrs old, and even at that - not 6 blocks away and in the dark! The thought of it just makes me cringe. Absolutely not. Not a boy or girl of that age. Too many freaks on the loose. There has got to be another solution. I'd say 8 or. 9yrs old was more acceptable AND with a friend.

[hadenough]

Oops. I see. It's not "afterschool" - I did see it was @6pm. Still - my answer is same. No. Big Resounding NO way..

[inseperationhell]

No way, no how.....I am in a rural area of 500....to me doesn't matter if it is in a city of 5,000,000 or a town of 500, six years old is way too young. Look up the CAS guidelines of kids staying home alone - 6 is not even in the spectrum of discussion.