Highways here aren't what you're thinking of. It's rural, wide enough shoulder usually for a whole car (and definitely for people running and cycling). Minimal traffic, probably 2 lanes (actually, that particular highway later has one way bridges and you just take turns), speed limit of 45 max.
Basically anything without a stop light is a highway, and some islands have no stop light because there's that little traffic.
Ok, looking at that picture I wouldn't exactly call that a highway (even if it technically is). It's a rural road with tons of area to walk on the side and traffic is going 40 MPH. The kid didn't get into a stranger's car, they got into a neighbor's car. Maybe I'm one of those sanctimommy free range people because I think what the dad did was fine.
Is an 8 year old not allowed to walk/bike a mile from their house?
This is what they looked like when I lived in Guam and I'm pretty sure I walked more than a mile to get to a friend's house who lived in a different subdivision.
lol I was made to walk home once as a child. My sister and I were fighting, my parents didn't want to listen to it anymore, and they made us get out and walk home. The difference- we were like 13 and 9. And it was less than a mile from our house, along quiet residential streets.
I don't know if I'd do the same thing today with my daughter, but maybe. But 8 years old, alone on a highway? Come the fuck on.
Once my brother and I were fighting and annoying my parents on a road trip to MN so my dad made us get out of the car and walk in front of the car for a while.
All the sancti free range parents on my Facebook were high fiving each other because when they were six they walked 5 miles around town by themselves, blah blah blah...kids today are too coddled...blah blah blah...my 5 year makes her own dinner and grocery shops...blah blah blah.
You must have the most polarizing facebook feed ever. Because you seem to have both super extreme AP types who don't shut up about it and now this, too?
You need new friends.
Yup. I have both extremes. My feed is pretty boring when it comes to politics but when it comes to parenting? Look out.
I have felt very frustrated about my mom friend situation lately. Thank you for telling me it's not just me. Sigh.
Ok, looking at that picture I wouldn't exactly call that a highway (even if it technically is). It's a rural road with tons of area to walk on the side and traffic is going 40 MPH. The kid didn't get into a stranger's car, they got into a neighbor's car. Maybe I'm one of those sanctimommy free range people because I think what the dad did was fine.
Is an 8 year old not allowed to walk/bike a mile from their house?
This is what they looked like when I lived in Guam and I'm pretty sure I walked more than a mile to get to a friend's house who lived in a different subdivision.
Our street is sandwiched between two highways like this. Speed limit on each is 45 MPH. There is a fair amount of constant traffic on each, though. I don't know how much traffic is on this particular one....
Our local butcher is a mile away, so I'm trying to picture making B walk that distance when he's 8. I am having a hard time doing so. Traffic these days IS different in composition (larger vehicles, less attentive drivers, etc.).
To me, it would totally depend on if my kid had to cross the highway. We live by a decent one here but it's a two lane highway with crosswalks, street lights, city hall, the fire department and the library. I'd let them walk a mile.
I'm really not persuaded by the different traffic argument. Traffic might be different but it's not that different. Either I have taught my child the rules of the road, how to stay off the sides, don't let them cross the highway or I haven't.
I have run along that highway as a teen (albeit closer to Princeville than Kiluea). It's definitely not a highway in the same sense we mainlanders think of highway.
I'm not saying that makes it a great idea to drop off an 8 year old on it, though.
Oh! I also have a friend who is both free range and AP depending on the day. That's fun. Either way, she's very vocal about it.
At least you have the added element of surprise when reading her nonsense? :-)
I know you're super busy, but is there any chance of looking into a meetup or class that may seem to have a more "normal" group of moms? I have no idea how one would vet that, but maybe if you joined some sort of mommy & me self-defense class, you'd meet a different type. Does such a thing exist?
What about career networking? There is a thing in Houston called Executive Moms (I think) that is all working moms. They will do some kid-focused presentations, like navigating the school application thing, and more mom-focused stuff like quick makeup routines in the morning to get ready quickly. Less time for mommy wars. Is there anything like that where you live?
ETA: Just checked; it's called the Executive Moms Society. Lame name, good concept.
Thanks!
I should explore my options for sure. It's getting tiring being friends with borderline Gwenyth Paltrows. I have definitely glommed on to some of the moms I've met from my DDs daycare. I find the full time working moms don't have time for the mommy war bullshit. That said...this is why I spend so much time here with you people.
What is the limit the school district sets for 8 year olds to take the bus? Would walkers generally take that same road to school?
Those answers seen pretty important before I can judge. I walked at 8 and i seem to recall that anyone who didn't live more than a mile from school had to walk.