Would you let your kids

jaysay · 05-07-2010, 10:46

Couple threatened with social services because their children ride bikes to school | Mail Online
Don't know who is right or wrong here really, given the traffic on today's roads

cashman · 05-07-2010, 11:09

difficult, given kids are 5, n 8, n given London Traffic, don't think its very wise to let em,

then again threatening wi social services is using a sledgehammer to crack a walnut. IMHO.

'erindoors · 05-07-2010, 11:20

I wouldn't think it was anyone else' business really. As long as they have been taught properly and are VERY street wise there shouldn't be a problem.
With it being London and the ages of the children in this case, I don't think I'd have let them to be honest....

BERNADETTE · 05-07-2010, 11:54

Yet another example of being told how to raise our kids. These parents are the best judges of their childrens capabilities, they sound very responsible parents reading their comments. If they deem the children responsible enough then so be it, can't see a problem myself.

lancsdave · 05-07-2010, 12:04

They will have to supervise them now seeing as sthe total goon at the Mail has drawn a map for every paedophile in the country

accyman · 05-07-2010, 13:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by lancsdave

They will have to supervise them now seeing as sthe total goon at the Mail has drawn a map for every paedophile in the country

if anything the person responsible for printing their route to school shoudl be hounded by the authorities for enangering the children but as long as the story sells papers whats a couple of kids safety

its not as though they are been left alone in the heart of london center either its a simple bike ride along a built up area

cashman · 05-07-2010, 14:16

its very hard to judge, sod all to do wi social services, if they were a couple of chavs, reckon the world n his wife would be knocking em, but respectable folk,some think are better parents, well the "Mcanns" prove that theory wrong, i would never have let mine at that age, but thats me, its down to the parents n what they think is suitable. simple as.

jaysay · 05-07-2010, 14:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by cashman

its very hard to judge, sod all to do wi social services, if they were a couple of chavs, reckon the world n his wife would be knocking em, but respectable folk,some think are better parents, well the "Mcanns" prove that theory wrong, i would never have let mine at that age, but thats me, its down to the parents n what they think is suitable. simple as.

Think I have to agree with you there cashy, but like I said its different now than years ago. I can remember when I go my first two wheeler, the old lady told me I hadn't to go on the main road, I ignored her, she found out, I never got to ride the bike again, but times have changed

Margaret Pilkington · 05-07-2010, 17:52

I think the parents will know the cycling abilities of these children, and I cannot see parents putting their children at risk.
Isn't cycling seen as a healthy 'green' pursuit with a low carbon footprint?
Aren't we trying to get our children off their bums and into physical activity?
It is time the social workers stopped meddling in normal family life and started to concentrate on the likes of the mothers of Baby P and Sharon Matthews....not a lot to ask is it?????

shillelagh · 05-07-2010, 18:04

I was 7 when i went to school on my own ... cross the bottom of northfield road, cross the main road and then cross rising bridge road. If i didnt cross the main road at the crossing mrs shanks the lollipop lady would tell my mum .. and id get in trouble when i got home.

I know theres more traffic on the road now ... but still isnt it fair that kids nowadays have the opportunity to fend for themselves .. they do have to learn .. it helps them later on in life ...

jaysay · 05-07-2010, 18:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

I think the parents will know the cycling abilities of these children, and I cannot see parents putting their children at risk.
Isn't cycling seen as a healthy 'green' pursuit with a low carbon footprint?
Aren't we trying to get our children off their bums and into physical activity?
It is time the social workers stopped meddling in normal family life and started to concentrate on the likes of the mothers of Baby P and Sharon Matthews....not a lot to ask is it?????

I think Social Worker have a big roll to play in society, unfortunately they tend to always get things wrong, they poke their noses in where they're not wanted and ignore cases where they are wanted

garinda · 05-07-2010, 18:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by shillelagh

I was 7 when i went to school on my own ... cross the bottom of northfield road, cross the main road and then cross rising bridge road. If i didnt cross the main road at the crossing mrs shanks the lollipop lady would tell my mum .. and id get in trouble when i got home.

I know theres more traffic on the road now ... but still isnt it fair that kids nowadays have the opportunity to fend for themselves .. they do have to learn .. it helps them later on in life ...

We were seven too, when mum stopped coming to collect us.

Five does seem a little young.

Paedophiles must think it's meals on wheels.

Margaret Pilkington · 05-07-2010, 18:11

These children take a well planned route along the back roads, they cycle on the pavement, and are usually met by a parent on the homebound journey......not much cause for concern there is there.

Letting children take responsibility for their safety is important....and I am pretty certain that these parents have alerted their children to 'stranger danger' too.

Margaret Pilkington · 05-07-2010, 18:13

I was seven when I went to Peel Park.......travelling from the Woodnook area.......I crossed Manchester Road every day....and Ok there wasn't the same volume of traffic, but it is still a good distance for a seven year old to travel alone.......I was later responsible for the safety of my younger siblings on the same journey.......I would be eight by then.

garinda · 05-07-2010, 18:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

These children take a well planned route along the back roads, they cycle on the pavement, and are usually met by a parent on the homebound journey......not much cause for concern there is there.

Letting children take responsibility for their safety is important....and I am pretty certain that these parents have alerted their children to 'stranger danger' too.

I hate the culture of wrapping up children in cotton wool, and never letting them toughen up to the realities of the world.

Even in the care of an older child, a five year old travelling a mile, is a bit risky. Traffic isn't the only concern, when they set off on a dark winter morning.

Falling of the bike, dogs, nasty kids, and nasty adults.

At five I'd take the child, on a journey of a mile.

Just my opinion.