My Soggy 15 Minutes of Fame

October 7, 2009 at 2:29 PM

Today is International Walk-to-School Day. Back in the dark ages, I used to walk to school, carrying my violin. A few years ago I became the PTO coordinator for walk-to-school at my kids' elementary school. And we and a bunch of other kids, parents, teachers, and town officials walked to school this morning, in the rain.

After 3 years of spectacular weather on fall Walk-to-School day, our karma, apparently, was up.

But, I want to thank Lenore Skenazy, of Free Range Kids, for letting me guest blog on her site about the topic today:

Where Walking Gets You by Karen Allendoerfer

Blogging is fun! I especially love being called "non-sanctimonious."

From Anne Horvath
Posted on October 7, 2009 at 5:51 PM

Of course you are "non-sanctimonious"! Nice article. I have cats, so I don't follow these types of blogs. From my own students and family, I am aware that "Kids These Days" are getting a much different suburban upbringing from what I had.

Glancing through that blog, fear seems to be an ongoing theme. Interesting, as I'm not a parent. What I remember vividly from childhood was the fear of total nuclear destruction. I wasn't afraid to take the bus, go to school downtown, or walk and bike around my neighborhood.

So you aren't a Helicopter Mom?

From Karen Allendoerfer
Posted on October 7, 2009 at 6:31 PM

No, I'm not a helicopter mom. I don't have time!

A colleague introduced me to Lenore Skenazy and I essentially agree with her point of view (and I think "Free Range Kids" is a cute name for a blog).

But my motivations for wanting to walk to school are more "green" and aesthetic than really Free Range, per se. I like lazy, shady tree-lined streets and walkable cities better than thoroughfares and suburban sprawl. And honestly, I just don't like driving cars very much. I don't want to go back to covered wagon days or anything like that, but I only spend a few hours a month in a car, and I like it that way.

From Tom Holzman
Posted on October 7, 2009 at 8:06 PM

Nice blog! Belmont has some lovely areas for walking. Continue to enjoy it!

From Patricia Baser
Posted on October 8, 2009 at 2:10 AM

Here is a recent story from our area: http://www.macon.com/198/story/871340.html?storylink=omni_popular. When I leave for school at 6:30 a.m., there are students waiting in the dark for buses. My daughters' school is about 12 miles from our house so we must drive (no bus). It's around the corner from where I teach and sadly, not safe for walking at all.

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My Soggy 15 Minutes of Fame

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