Gundy –
Have you considered having him walk with a friend/schoolmate? Children are much safer when there’s more than one. We still recommend pairs, even for the mature teenagers.
You’ll have to be firm with the “you always walk in the buddy system” so that you’re not getting played with the line that “Buddy had to stay after school so I went to Wrigley Field by myself.”
I vote for letting him go by himself. Six blocks is not a long way for a nine-year-old to go.
Granted, I was fairly mature when I was nine, but I was already walking to elementary school alone at that age (about eight blocks) and was permitted to cross a major street to visit my best friend.
Heck, back in the Stone Age, I used to walk to school when I was in kindergarten! I think. At least, I got there somehow… but then it was 1968 so I don’t quite remember…
When I was that age, I rode my bike all over the damn place, even into the next town over. As long as your son knows not to get in cars with strangers and look before crossing the street etc, I don’t see any problem in letting him walk 5 blocks.
OK, so I sound like KellyM. So you see, I’m not the only one to survive to adulthood with my incredibly risky behavior.
Well when I was in 1st grade my brother (he being in second grade) walked to school by ourselves. (I had to navigate as he had no sense of direction). By the time I was nine we were riding bikes all around our neighborhood.
However we didn’t cross ‘the big streets’. They were our boundries.
As far as dealing with a bully while out alone I can thourghly recomend biting his leg as hard as you can. In my expierence they don’t start fights with you after that.
My apologies. My tone was not meant to be strident. My tone was meant to be alarmed.
Yes, I too walked all over the place when I was a kid. But that was then. Things have changed, and not always for the better.
Back when my boys were that young, we always walked them the 5 blocks to school and back, or had a neighbor do it. One day, they told us that a classmate had not come home the night before. She normally walked 2 blocks, by herself.
They found her naked body in a ravine some months later. We moved within the year.
Don’t let him walk alone.
I’m pretty sure the only reason I wasn’t booted out the door to walk to school when I was a kid was because we lived ten miles away. As horrific as some potential events can be, they’re still rarities–the world can only be so padded. So I’m pretty much agreeing with the contingent that doesn’t see the point in forbidding some independent walks.
Doubt it’ll scar the lad to wait a year or two for such things, though.
Still, all this wanting-to-walk-alone noise is probably just a ruse, to draw your attention away from the computer. Now he’s hustling you by getting caught in the thread, so, flush with victory, you shan’t notice his sneakier hacking activities. Well played, well played.
I’ll probably get flamed for this, but first of all, why the hell did you tell your son you’d get a second opinion? if everyone on this board agrees with a nine year old, are you going to say, “OK honey, you win.” The only second opinion you should be interested in is the kids father if he’s involved in the kids life–and only then if you respect his opinion.
The question is do you feel comfortable letting him walk the five blocks. If the answer is no, then don’t let him. He’ll get over it and you’ll have peace of mind. Think of how you’d feel if you went against your better judgement and, god forbid, something happened.
If he’s 15, 6 feet tall 180lbs and you won’t let him walk 5 blocks alone, I’d worry but at nine, he doesn’t get a vote–your the parent and therefore the boss and should do what you feel comfortable with.
Your choice.
Personally, I was a latchkey kid from the time I was about 8. Mom didn’t get home until 5:30 and school got out at 3:15.
Although admittedly I had a lot of things going for me.
1.) Home was about 3 blocks away from school.
2.) No major streets.
3.) I was so close there were parents pretty much LINING the street all the way to my house.
4.) Crime was almost nothing in my area.
5.) I had to check in with neighbor across the street every day after school so my mother was sure I got home alright.
I loved it though. It was good for me, but I hasten to say it would be for everyone.
Sorry. Did I not put that last paragraph in large enough letters?
He does not get a say. I am doing this mainly to appease my own conscience.
kunilou, apology accepted. It’s understandable; obviously my hackles are up as well. 
Aww, look’s like Gundy’s made up his mind. I was rooting for the kiddo. 
9 years old is what, 4th or 5th grade? By that time I was definitely walking home alone, and I grew up in a big city. Of course I can understand your concerns as a parent, but if your neighborhood is safe and he’s a good boy, is there really any harm in letting him walk alone?
Gundy, none of us know your son as well as you do.
Trust your instincts. If you don’t think he’s mature enough or that the area is safe enough, then he doesn’t walk alone.
I tend to agree with turner. He’s your boy, you know him best, you know the area best. If it’s no, then it’s no.
There’s too many weird people out there just waiting for the opportunity to snatch a kid walking by himself.
Now, if you want to start teaching him what to do when approached by a stranger who needs help looking for a puppy, I would suggest Escape School. I can’t do a search right this instant, but they have tips for children on what to do if they get in trouble or need help.
That “I think he should walk by himself,” / “THAT would be my conniving son…” post duo at the beginning of the thread is the funniest occurance ever on the SDMB.
Anyway…
Chances are, if you have to ask yourself, “Am I being overprotective?” you’re not. Tell him to display to you that he’s a responsible lil dude and then he can walk alone. Make him earn it, basically.
MeanOldLady, 9 is probably 3rd grade.
I have a 3rd grader. I wouldn’t let her walk 5 blocks alone by herself every day. Pedophiles love routines. He’d know Billy would be strolling by the house every day at 3:15pm. Blech.
As others have said, it’s the alone thing that bothers me. My 5th and 3rd grader would walk a block from the bus stop home everyday and it didn’t worry me. But if oldest one was home sick I’d go fetch my youngest.
My daughter is in 5th grade and I’m starting to loosen the reins a bit. I let her and her sister walk 1/3 of a mile up the street to visit a friend with one busy intersection.
As promised:
If he had a group of other kids to walk with then maybe. Otherwise I would not let him walk alone. If he doesn’t like it that is tough…you are his mother and you know what is best. As long as you explain your reasoning, of course.
Thanks for the link, ivylass! Good to know!
As a mother who has decided to let her 7 year old son walk the block and a half home from school this year I come in on the let the kid walk home side.
By nine I was all over the town…and there were a LOT less crossing guards 29 yrs ago than there are now. Hell there are two on our block alone.
Dont worry by the time he’s 13 he’ll be whining for rides home everyday!
