Heather Smith. Editor
Let go of the apron strings
March 10, 2010
Section: Opinion
Gabby, my favourite character on Desperate Housewives, thinks she’s a bad mother because she doesn’t hover over her children and save them from the occasional fall.
Yet when a monkey went rogue on a clown (it’s complicated!), her children were the only ones who thought self-preservation rather than flight.
They had been brought up to look after themselves and knew what to do in a dangerous situation.
So how do we teach our children to be vigilant and street smart when we drive them everywhere?
As National Ride2School Day approaches, it’s the perfect opportunity to get the kids out exercising, socialising and being responsible for their own well-being.
It also gets several thousand cars off the roads.
With public schools having a catchment area of no more than 3km, most students would be within walking distance and certainly within riding distance.
Yet a scan of school bike racks will show very few take up the option – or are not allowed.
While stranger danger is very real, travelling in packs can create a secure environment and strengthens friendships outside of school and home.
It also gives children a sense of independence and personal responsibility so that if something does go wrong, they have the emotional intelligence to handle it.
So let go of those apron strings, mums and dads, and get the kids walking or riding to school, the bus stop or train station.
They may not like it but they will certainly benefit.
