Conference moira::parenting

    I think part of the decision would need to be based on the
    area/neighborhood as to whether or not I would feel comfortable
    with it. Because it is so close and he has a companion older I
    would probably feel fine about it. If there wasn't a program at
    the park where adults would be present, I definitely wouldn't
    let him go without going myself. You could watch him walk down
    there the first few times just to make yourself more comfortable.
    
    -AJ
    

    Those are good thoughts.  There are some other alternatives I'm
    thinking about, i.e., asking my regular day care person if she
    can take him/pick him up; asking the parent of another kid in the
    program if they'll walk/ride him; seeing if an older teen in the
    neighborhood will walk them there and pick them up, etc.
    
    I happened to mention this to someone else, who indicated that
    ages 6-8 is the age that abductors "like the best."  NOW I'M A
    BASKET CASE!!!!  
    
    No kidding, this is the kind of stuff that anxiety attacks are made
    of!!  Would *somebody* calme me down please!!!
    
    Really gonna have a good weekend now,
    Kate

    I understand the base noters question.  It just scares the pants off of
    me to think about someone abducting 1 more child.  If you are
    comfortable with the surroundings, i.e. no big intersections close, 
    no major interstates/thoroughfares near....etc.  Is there any way 
    to have a trusted neighborhood teenager take these children??
    
    I know we cannot "hold" our children's hands forever, and the children
    want to take responsibility and be independent, and I know that I AM
    OVERPROTECTIVE, but the people who have had children abducted thought
    their surroundings were safe too. 
    
    What is a parent to do walking such a fine line???
    
    

    If there is  one thing I've learned from experience, if you are nervous
    about it and it will be worrying you too much, it isn't worth it to
    have your little boy go by himself regardless if it is safe or not.
    When you are ready for him to do these things you will know, and your
    reaction is perfectly normal. I still dont let my 13 year old ride his
    bike near the park after dark! Get someone older to take him so you
    can have peace of mind.
    
    -AJ
    

    I agree with -1.  If you'll worry (and I, for one, would), find 
    someone else to walk with your 6-year-old.
    
    And as the mother of 9 and 10-year-old boys...  An 8-year-old boy is
    not a consistent creature.  You'd be better off getting a 12-year-old or 
    up...    
    
    Pam

    
    I'd let him go ..... the route seems short enough, there are other
    "adults" in the general vacinity that the boys could run to if they
    needed.  How long does it take to walk?  5 minutes?  Is he ever out of
    your sight/earshot for 5 minutes or more when he's just "in the yard"?
    This isn't a LOT different.  I have a 6 and 9 year old, and they go (a
    little way!) off by themselves, and they're fine.  An 8-year-old isn't
    the most consistent creature, but I think that they tend to get more
    responsible when they know they're looking out "for someone else".  
    
    Do make sure you warn them about rabies and that sort of stuff ....
    boys do tend to be a little more curious when it comes to the unusual
    (especially if it's dead (-:).
    
    If it makes you feel better, "spy" on them the first few days, to make
    sure you really do feel comfortable with how they're going/doing.  Then
    go with your gut.
    
    

    Thanks for all the replies and for the reassurances that I'm not
    crazy.  My husband and I talked it over, and he seems to feel that
    James will get more out of the program if we wait a year or two to
    send him.  More important, James himself was real ambivalent about
    wanting to attend the playground program.  So we decided to hold off
    for another year or two.