Kids crossing the street

Do parents really need to help their 6th graders cross the street these days?!

Amazes me!

Re: Kids crossing the street

Honestly, I think crossing guards are good for people of any age.

Re: Kids crossing the street

Kids crossing the street

With the way people drive these days, yes absolutely! Nobody pays attention on the road anymore.

Kids crossing the street

6th graders are only 11 and 12 years old. They're still elementary school aged in some districts (including the one I work in), so I would say yes.

Re: Kids crossing the street

I would prob help my 30 yr old cross the street lol

People drive crazy

Re: Kids crossing the street

It depends where you are I guess. On a really busy road I think so but in a neighborhood, no. My 8 year old rides his bike around the neighborhood with a few friends alone and he will go call for the neighbors across the street and up the block by himself. He doesn't need help crossing the street.

Re: Kids crossing the street

Re: Kids crossing the street

Yes!!crazy ass drivers on the road.

Kids crossing the street

Personally, I think many crossing guards do more harm than good, particularly the ones that will wave cars on. DH's car was totaled a few years ago when a crossing guard in the city waved on a truck that hit us and I've seen many similar incidents.

I agree that people drive like lunatics but I don't think crossing guards are helping the situation.

Re: Kids crossing the street

In my case, we would do it as long as we can. DH crosses DS every morning. In the afternoons he does it by himself. I trust DS, but I don't trust the drivers. As long as I can do it and I'm around, I don't see the harm of it. They are young kids, only 11. It'd take 1 second for something horrible to happen.

Re: Kids crossing the street

Depends on the road...?

But pretty sure kids in my district walked to school in middle school (if you were less than a mile from the school).

Message edited 12/2/2016 10:31:03 PM.

Re: Kids crossing the street

ask the mother of the middle schooler in my neighborhood who was hit and killed by a car last year. why judge, what does it matter?

Re: Kids crossing the street

Re: Kids crossing the street

Message edited 12/3/2016 7:12:48 AM.

Kids crossing the street

Even if it's considered overprotective, I think in a situation that could be life or death (such as crossing the street or swimming in a pool) it's ok IMO to keep a closer watch for longer.

Re: Kids crossing the street

I've got an 11 year old sixth grader and she doesn't need my help crossing the street. She's walked around the neighborhood with her friends without adult supervision (& we live in Queens!), crossing several streets and they've all lived to tell the tale.

I do think our generation of parents (& I'm not talking about parents of kids with special needs), is overly paranoid!

Re: Kids crossing the street

You know for every we coddle and helicopter and over protect our kids

I can say there is the parent who doesn't give a shit and let's the kid do whatever Hang out at your local
Park for a few. Go to a bounce place etc

You would be amazed

Re: Kids crossing the street

Absolutely. Have you noticed how reckless people are when driving these days? It's scary just driving, crossing the street is even more dangerous.

Re: Kids crossing the street

Re: Kids crossing the street

Back in the day when I was 11/12, I used to gallavant all over Queens and Manhattan via subway and bus. I took the regular (not school) bus to junior high. I used to cross Queens Boulevard without fear. But that was a different time.

Nowadays, I see so many people distracted when I commute - drivers on their phones or fiddling with shit, pedestrians looking down at their screens, headphones...just in general, people of all ages are so distracted by technology all the time. Not everyone, but I think we can all agree that a lot of people out there are.

It sucks. People are very absorbed in their own little bubbles and it sometimes comes with extremely tragic results. So I can't judge a parent who assists their kid across streets. I'm sure many of those parents are also teaching their kids about safety and common sense.

Re: Kids crossing the street

Honestly, I think until my kids get embarrassed and ask me to stop, I'll continue to help them cross the street. Which I imagine would happen at around 12 or 13. As a pp said, is it worth risking getting hit by a car when it takes so little effort to be there watching out for them?

How busy the street is also a factor. Although I live in a court, I have one neighbor who frequently drives too fast, peels around the corners and doesn't seem to pay attention to the road. I don't trust anyone on the road.

Re: Kids crossing the street

I'd rather be safe than sorry, as much as possible, when it comes to my kids' life and safety. 6th grade is still young.

Re: Kids crossing the street

There are many warranted reasons why parents "coddle, hover and overprotect" these days. There are way more dangers in the world today than there were 10 / 20 years ago. This is not our childhood - its sad but its true.

Re: Kids crossing the street

If you want to let your 6th grader cross the street alone, that's your decision. But why does it bother you that other parents still help their children cross? As a parent, I don't care what age my child is, I will always want to keep them safe and protected...and that may include helping them to cross the street in 6th grade. Nobody should be judged for trying to keep their children safe.