Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Why Can't She Walk to School?

When we lived in Cincinnati my kids walked to school everyday. Of course I walked with them since I had a first grader who was afraid of a hedge apple rolling down the city streets. My oldest daughter is rather timid so I couldn't accept the fact that I knew even at the end of first grade she might not be ready to go it alone. Once my then preschooler started kindergarten, I knew they would have what it takes to walk to school together as a team. She has enough confidence for us all. I knew I would face unbearable judgement from the woman across the street who walked her 6th grader to school everyday, or for that matter, all of the parents that walked their kids to school or drove them hastily to school. I liked the fresh air and better yet, I liked that we got exercise in even the worst rain or cold temperatures.

I had visions. I dreamed of the stories my girls would come home to tell me about as they walked together without my influence or protection. I pictured tattling going something like this, "she crossed the street while the crossing guard was still in her car smoking". Or something to that extent- no, our crossing guard didn't smoke, but she did wish us a "blessed day" up until the last when I told her we were moving. Walking together I thought they would be able to conquer the world problems together as they got older, maybe not the world problems, but the playground issues they were dealing with or what ever it may be.

So when I read the article in the NYtimes entitled: Why Can't She Walk to School? I got so nestalgic for the town we left behind. No we didn't live in the suburbs like the article depicts, we lived in the city proper. Crime, sure there was lots of it, but I really believe everyone has their fears in life. I don't believe my children will be abducted the statistics are too low, they won't be bitten by a bat (really this is a true fear of one of my dear friends) but let me give you the twenty hour quiz if you want to drive my children in a car in the backroads of our new rural home. We all have our fears in life, can't one of them be to let our children find their way to school, get some exercise and see that the world is not out to kidnap or rape them?

But do I need to mention that my kids now take the bus? When they asked if I could drive them, the answer was a quick, "no, it's better for the environment to ride together". I drive everywhere now as one does in the country but I certainly miss the days of walking to school and really seeing what was going on in the neighborhood not to mention saying hello to other families and getting to know the kids on the walking bus. Even living in the rural suburbs of NYC, we aren't outside as much as we were living in the city. We don't have an automatic walk built into our day like we once did. We simply walk to the end of our driveway and the bus picks up every child at his or her driveway. Simple.

17 comments:

Blair Sorrel said...

Greetings! Unfortunately, most pedestrians discover a danger, only sadly, when victimized and so I wanted to inform you of StreetZaps, a timely and useful tool intended to reduce the year-round risk of injury and fatality from contact voltage. And so you are aware, I confer with Con Edison's Stray Voltage and Public Affairs Units and contribute to Wet Nose Guide and New York Dog Chat. Thank you in advance and think non-conductive contact for greater safety.

Best,

Blair Sorrel
Founder
www.StreetZaps.com

cara menggugurkan kandungan said...

cool, please guidance so that I can create a blog like yours

Karl said...

I guess this is a nice content post, thanks for this! Commercial Window Cleaners​

Anonymous said...

Fantastic! I think You put a lot of effort to create this article. I appreciate your work.https://www.concretemilton.com

Angel17 said...

I enjoy reading this post. Thanks for sharing this. Roanoke IN

Concrete Edmonton said...

Great work. Very helpful and informative.

Anonymous said...

Nice post! Thanks for taking the time in sharing this great article in here.

Accountants St Albert

Anonymous said...

Awesome article. Thanks for sharing it Quordle.

Anonymous said...

The topic is highly informative. Well done on sharing it.
Movers Red Deer

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing this interesting blog here
Plastic Surgery Calgary Ab

Anonymous said...

Thanks for this interesting article you shared.
Mortgage Brokers

John Smith - Concrete Professional said...

Your blog post is quite appealing. Thanks for sharing it with us!

Unknown said...

Why Can't She Walk to School?
Drywall installation and repair pros you can trust

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing!
- Lone Star Home Remodeling Pros Fort Worth TX

Unknown said...

Even living in the rural suburbs of NYC, we aren't outside as much as we were living in the city.
DFW Bath and Kitchen Solution Fort Worth TX

Lin said...

Thanks for the advice! Take care and stay safe!

Regards,
drywall company owner

anonymous said...

Better more, I loved that we were able to exercise in spite of the worst weather or extreme cold. See: synthetic grass el paso