Do you think 9 is too young to walk home from school alone?

[Daisyhill]

I am just thinking of that poor little missing Yorkshire girl Shannon....I walked home at that age...a shorter distance but we all did then..things are different now....9 seems big enough but maybe it isn't when you think about it...I'm not sure anymore. My daughter is only 3 so it is a while before I have to face the choice....her school is less than 5 minutes away.but would I be happy knowing she was alone? I dont think I woul now...what about you?

[Heidi's Mummy]

I think it depends on the maturity of the child in question, and how far away the school is from home.

Shannon, god bless her, used to walk home with friends, I'd be happy for my daugther to walk to and from school with a group of friend, but the one day Shannon went alone she went missing!

It's awful, I get so scare especially since I now have my own baby who's only 10 months but still I'm going to have to face these decisions one day.

I just don't know, I hope they find her safe and well, though I really don't think they are going to now.

[Clare B]

Yes I do...my daughter is 11 and only started doing it last year.Even now I worry until she is through the door.The sad thing is its only across the road and I am worrying.