My daughter is now the 4th grader. I still walk with her to the school bus stop. There are many other younger students who walk alone from their houses. There is one more grandfather who walk with his granddaughters to the bus stop. We are the only rare parents who walk with their children to the bus stop.
My daughter wanted to walk alone to the bus stop. My husband is reluctant about that, but I wanted to respect my daughter’s independency. So, my husband and I decided to allow my daughter to walk alone to the bus stop.
In Japan we all start walking alone to the elementary school. For some students it takes 20-30 minutes from their house to the school. It is common for even the first graders to walk alone to the school.
Considering about the Japanese culture, it might be pretty natural for my daughter to walk alone to the bus stop. We live in a safe neighborhood. Besides, it takes only 8 minutes from our house to the bus stop. I should not worry about my daughter too much.
Today was the first day for my daughter to start walking alone from/to the bus stop.
I had a complicated feeling. I was happy for her independency, but at the same time, I felt slightly lonely about her not needing me to escort her anymore.
It is one of the processes for both a young child and a parent when the child proceeds the steps to the adulthood.
♬ Any feedback? (^^♪
three wisdom 