Yesterday was the first day Blane walked from Marie's house, to the park, where I pick him up, by himself. We were both terrified that in the 15 seconds he would be out of her eye site and into mine, that something terrible would happen to him! She had reminded him to not talk to strangers, run if someone scares you, etc. After I picked him up safely, I also told him stories of people asking kids to "help find their dog" when the dog is not really missing, etc. Then channel 2 did a story last night about kids walking home from school, some of them 2.3 miles!! I didn't feel so bad about the 50 yards he walked:) Channel 2 posted these questions on their website so mom's can tell if they think their kids are ready to walk home or stay by themselves. I am happy to say Blane passed most all of them and the ones I don't think he knows, I plan on discussing with him soon. Hope this helps you too!
The Family Education Institute developed 12 questions parents should ask before letting their children walk home from school or stay home alone:
- Does your child know how to honor his feelings? If someone makes him uncomfortable, that's an important signal.
- Are you as the parent strong enough to hear about any experience your child has had, no matter how unpleasant?
- Does your child know it's OK to rebuff and defy adults?
- Does your child know it's OK to be assertive?
- Does your child know how to ask for assistance or help?
- Does your child know how to choose who to ask? For example, he should look for a woman to help him.
- Does your child know how to describe his peril?
- Does your child know it's OK to strike, even to injure, someone if he believes he is in danger, and that you'll support any action he takes as a result of feeling uncomfortable or afraid?
- Does your child know it's OK to make noise, to scream, to yell, to run?
- Does your child know that if someone ever tries to force him to go somewhere, what he screams should include, ''This is not my father''? Onlookers seeing a child scream or even struggle are likely to assume the adult is a parent.
- Does your child know that if someone says, ''Don't yell,'' the thing to do is yell? The corollary is if someone says, ''Don't tell,'' the thing to do is tell.
- Does your child know to fully resist ever going anywhere out of public view with someone he doesn't know, and particularly to resist going anywhere with someone who tries to persuade him?
