[Moo point]

So now police decide that a 10 year old catching a bus on their own is irresponsible parenting and worthy of reporting to DOCS (NSW children's services):

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/police-threat-to...0208-1rezj.html

I'm all for protecting our children, ensuring they are safe etc. But seriously, without the stats on stranger crimes against children and incidents involving kids walking alone/catching buses, how can the police justify this??

And besides, it's the most blatant misuse of DOCS resources, who are hard pressed trying to deal with children already at risk or being abused, neglected and harmed.

Disclaimer: am pg with my first child, but as a child I walked to school alone or with friends, went to the corner shop, walked to friends' houses alone and, shock horror, let myself and my younger brother into our own house after school after our parents' divorce. I hope to instil the same sense of independence in my child. I also see a lot of 8-12 year olds on my bus of a morning going to school without a parent....

[3_for_me]

Absolutely ridiculous. My seven year old walks home every night from the school bus stop, about 500 metres away through known suburban streets. How ridiculous to imply that parents can't make reasoable, measured judgements on their children's ability to do something as simple as walk to the milk bar.

[Golfing widow]

I know! I heard this on Sunrise this morning and thought how bloody ridiculous! A 10 year old? We were spending all our days out and about at 10. Yes, I know it was a different time (30 years ago) and I know that Daniel Morcombe was 13 but we can't keep our kids locked up inside the house until they are 15.
People know their kids and know if they are responsible enough to walk to school alone.

[Bobsygirls]

I used to catch two public buses to school changing bus in the cbd at that age it is so stupid. We can't even let our kids have a little freedom to explore and become independent any more. I think we have to make sure that we don't change our parenting because of this though, rather we have to let Government and police etc know that this sort of incursion into our rights as parentsis unacceptable.

[*-*]

WT???

NSW Education releases FREE bus passes to all children aged from Kinder (so 4/5/6) up till the end of grade 2.

From Grades 3 to 6, they are issued FREE if you live outside of the 1.4 km radius (as the crow flies).

Something is clearly amiss here. Education dept is saying (by means of issuing the passes) that it is ok, but the police are not.

[Snagglepussed]

I think Daniel Morcombe would have been taken if he had been 15 too! I mean really?????

Then if this is the case they need to offer After School Care and Vacation Care for HS students! My DD will be 11.5 when she starts high school! So who is irresponsible if she has to catch a bus home alone then???/ she has no other option if I need ot work FT!!!!!

Ha! Makes me laugh really! A bit like the uproar a while ago about QLD schools banning hand stands etc in the playground as it was dangerous! Pfffttt! Media hype I reckon!

[soontobegran]

I read the article and what it really says is warning parents to assess the conditions for each individual child and that they wouldn't be involving DOCS.?
I don't see the message as being anything unusual, new or inappropriate. Parents should assess their child's ability to travel unaccompanied.

I think it is reasonable for police, who see what many young children get up to or what can happen to them to recommend children be vigilant.

[tothebeach]

That is just absurd. To target responsible parents waiting for a 10 year old at a busstop. Words fail me. Perhaps she should have driven to fetch her, instead (though the risk of an accident is probably higher than the risk of a deranged stranger kidnapping her).

The answer is actually to get more people out of the cars and walking - that's what makes things safer for children. The more of them walking together, the safer things are.

Surely DOCs and the police have better things to do.

[marnie27]

Ridiculous.

Surely we are only making children more vunerable as young adults if we don't allow them to progress and develop new skills as they get older? Imagine being able to do nothing without supervision and then on their 16th birthday being turned loose - how dangerous would that be?

Whilst not every 10 year old would be ready for the responsibility, many would. It should be up to parent to make the decision which category fits their child.

[kpingitquiet]

I still greatly prefer dedicated school-owned big yellow buses, but gosh, if we legislated for every bad thing that ever happened to a child...what the hell would be left? I think people really need to consider percentages in these sorts of things.