There is a sub next to mine where most of the houses are young families with children. I used to walk my dog past there in the afternoon, sometimes around the time the middle schoolers were getting off the bus. I cannot tell you how many SUV's (mostly) were lined up on both sides of the street to get their kids when they got off the bus and turn around and drive them home. They wouldn't even let the kids walk to their houses. This is a very safe neighborhood. Ridiculous as far as I'm concerned.
My son had an early morning paper route for five years. Yeah, it was dark out. He was a smart kid. No cell phones back then. There was never an incident. He's still alive!!! What a negligent mother I was. 
Life has always had its dangers. If you have children there are thousands of scenarios that could happen to them in their lives. You can't protect them from everything or lock them in the basement. You just have to be smart about finding the middle ground where you learn to give them some leeway dependent upon their age and your instincts as to whether they're ready to handle themselves.
Edit history
Recommendations
0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):
= new reply since forum marked as read