Walking to School

[sun5hinez]

This month it is 'Walk to School Month'. At the moment my children walk to school everyday as the school is very, very, close. But we are moving very soon and then the school will be a good 1mile walk. I still want my children to walk as I dont want to be driving, but how do others cope with the bad weather and little legs? Would be great to hear of any advice and encouragement. Thank you x

[B00]

How old are they?

I know it's going back some years- but I walked to school, a good mile and a half away in all weathers and it never did me any harm (*twitch*)

I think we are too soft on our children nowadays, if they well wrapped against the cold it will do them the world of good, fresh air, exercise etc.

[sun5hinez]

Yes I think we are too soft. I remember walking in all sorts of weather too. They are still Primary School, so I will be walking with them, and I'll buy them some sort of waterproofs for the rain. Lets hope they dont moan too much!!!

[B00]

Oh they'll moan, but let them!

Give them some Ready Brek before they set off, wrap them up well they'll be fine.

We as a society moan about overweight kids whilst driving them to school a 100 yards down the road, it beggars belief it really does.

And don't forget- kids don't bother about the weather when playing out do they?

[kat83]

hiya, my 3 year old walks over a mile to pre school every day. shes fine with it, find games to play such as eye spy etc. and how many steps to the next lamp post etc. as for bad weather just invest in wellies and a long rain coat. the kids find in great walking in the rain!!! i dont, mind! lol. though my daughter is slightly tired on the way home, so i always take a pack of raisons or a fruit shoot, or a pack of smarties as a treat.....that often motivates her to do the trek home without moaning!! and when she says 'im tired' i say 'well so am i!' she often doesnt know how to answer that! haha, good luck xxx

[B00]

Me again!

My nearly 4 year old walks everywhere, has to really, I dont drive- heh! And it has never bothered her in the slightest. I threw her pushchair away when she was about 2 and a half. My friend on the otherhand, has a little girl who' now about 3 and a half and still takes her everywhere in the pram. When I asked her why, she said because she was "too slow". The poor slightly chubby kid just sits there loooking glumly at my little one haring about and I could cry for her, I really could.

[sun5hinez]

Thanks guys, really encouraging! I am quite excited about it all as I know they will benefit so much from it! x

[daffy654]

I don't drive so have always walked my children to school. Until the end of last school term I was still doing this,my son is now at high school and obviously doesn't still want his mum walking him there.lol
When my girls were little we had to walk almost 3 miles to school and they coped very well,I made the journey as interesting as possible for them by playing observation games, things like counting all the cars of a particular colour that passed us,or how many cats and dogs we saw etc.

[hol5]

i agree with everyone else! keep it up, my only extra advice is to make sure they have spare socks/tights either in their book bag or pump bag, that way if they get their feet so wet, at least you know they can change strraight away.

[kellogs100]

A mile is nothing really. I always used to walk at least that to school whatever the weather as we didn't have a car. I used to complain but it wasn't that bad really.

[cazzz1975]

I do agree with everyone, I used to walk nearly 3 miles to primary school, it never did me any harm and I do agree that kids are coddled quite a lot these days, dont give in to the moaning, they will adjust and it will become normal.

a mile is not a lot

[Bettyboo22]

Me and My Daughters Walk Over a mile to school and now they go by their selves to high school which is even further try and get a pac-a-mac (tescos) and keep an spare change of socks or tights incase their shoes leak.

[lozzylou]

i agree with everyone else, my sons nursery is only about half a mile but my 2 year old walks this to take his brother then walks home then 2 hours later does the same again. he sometimes asked to be picked up but i normally say how about we skip instead. i prob look like a right fool skipping down the road but it keeps him amused. i am slightly overweight myself, mainly cause i was very lazy as a child, wouldnt join in pe etc so i am determined not to let it happen to my kids

[Beanmistriss]

Get them some wellies so they don't have to sit all day in wet shoes