Opinions!!!!!!!

[Theresa]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

LOL!!!! Tell him I said THANK YOU!!!!!

I did remind Jeff that she's a GIRL--not a boy, and a small one at that, and the fact that he used to ride 15-20 miles away when he was a teenager is IRRELEVANT!

Not that boys are much safer these days....

my husband did say he wouldnt have even let our son go at 13.

We let him walk to someones house the other day for the first time...well, walk outside our street....this was about that far, 2.5 miles, and across a major roadway - BUT our son is 16, 6' 5" 350#. He's bigger than my husband. BUT - this was the FIRST time we let him WALK anywhere outside our block.

our daughter will not be walking anywhere out of my sight.

She wont ever ride a school bus either. Just not happening.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Theresa

my husband did say he wouldnt have even let our son go at 13.

We let him walk to someones house the other day for the first time...well, walk outside our street....this was about that far, 2.5 miles, and across a major roadway - BUT our son is 16, 6' 5" 350#. He's bigger than my husband. BUT - this was the FIRST time we let him WALK anywhere outside our block.

our daughter will not be walking anywhere out of my sight.

She wont ever ride a school bus either. Just not happening.

Theresa, I bet you know how to use a gun!

[Theresa]

Originally Posted by Ron

Theresa, I bet you know how to use a gun!

among other things....

[Theresa]

there was some "is he crazy?" "thats his LITTLE GIRL" "aint no way...." you can fill in the rest.

it was funny really, he reacted the same way I did - got his dander all up too

[pelathais]

You'd really have to have a feel for the area. I wouldn't worry so much about the monsters in the woods as the monsters on the streets. All things being equal I think 13 is old enough to ride a couple of miles on a bike - and the exercise would probably do her a lot of good. But you'd have to consider the route and a million other variables.

[Sister Alvear]

My husband said no...maybe ride in the company of others at some special time where there are limits and time but alone...no....
Not because you do not trust her it is the devil we do not trust...
A big hug to you, my friend.

[Theresa]

it would be a fun family outing if you rode together. But never alone.

[acjcpastor]

First let me say that I never had a daughter and my son is now an adult. However, I believe God is looking out for His People. I grew up "in the country" and rode my bike EVERYWHERE when I was 13. We did not have cell phones or helmets but we ventured all the way to the City of Waterbury, CT on our bikes. 10-15 miles from home was no big deal for us.

I recently read an article in Reader's Digest about a woman who let her young son navigate the NYC Subway on his own. People thought she was nuts but I happen to agree with her. Kids are not nearly as unsafe in our world as all the neurotic fear mongers want us to believe.

I remember going to NYC as a kid for the UPCI Harvestime street meeting. Am I dating myself? My brother and I got bored with the service. (Sorry, but we were kids) So, we took off to explore the subway. Did we feel unsafe? No! We figured, look at all these people, they’re not afraid to be here.

As an adult, I’ve traveled all over the U.S. and overseas. After 9-11, my wife and I visited ground zero in NYC. I have to say NYC was nothing like I remembered it as a kid. I’d say it is a safer place today than it was in the 70’s, by far. I’ve found the same thing everywhere I’ve traveled. Paris, London, Amsterdam, NY, LA, generally people are not out to harm some innocent stranger. Perverts can lurk in any neighborhood. However, let's have a little faith. It’s the Enemy who wants us to cower in fear.

Train your children. Instruct them in the evils of this world. But while you’re at it, don’t forget to teach them to trust God by showing them that you trust Him too.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by acjcpastor

First let me say that I never had a daughter and my son is now an adult. However, I believe God is looking out for His People. I grew up "in the country" and rode my bike EVERYWHERE when I was 13. We did not have cell phones or helmets but we ventured all the way to the City of Waterbury, CT on our bikes. 10-15 miles from home was no big deal for us.

I recently read an article in Reader's Digest about a woman who let her young son navigate the NYC Subway on his own. People thought she was nuts but I happen to agree with her. Kids are not nearly as unsafe in our world as all the neurotic fear mongers want us to believe.

I remember going to NYC as a kid for the UPCI Harvestime street meeting. Am I dating myself? My brother and I got bored with the service. (Sorry, but we were kids) So, we took off to explore the subway. Did we feel unsafe? No! We figured, look at all these people, they’re not afraid to be here.

As an adult, I’ve traveled all over the U.S. and overseas. After 9-11, my wife and I visited ground zero in NYC. I have to say NYC was nothing like I remembered it as a kid. I’d say it is a safer place today than it was in the 70’s, by far. I’ve found the same thing everywhere I’ve traveled. Paris, London, Amsterdam, NY, LA, generally people are not out to harm some innocent stranger. Perverts can lurk in any neighborhood. However, let's have a little faith. It’s the Enemy who wants us to cower in fear.

Train your children. Instruct them in the evils of this world. But while you’re at it, don’t forget to teach them to trust God by showing them that you trust Him too.

I understand what you're saying...and I don't want to teach my children to be fearful--just cautious. Anyway, Hannah doesn't even know this is an option for her yet--it was my husband's idea. We're just discussing it between ourselves. (And AFF--LOL!!!!)

Perhaps I could enroll her in a gun safety course and then send her down the road with my pistol tucked into her jacket. THAT would make me feel better.

[Theresa]

Originally Posted by acjcpastor

First let me say that I never had a daughter and my son is now an adult. However, I believe God is looking out for His People. I grew up "in the country" and rode my bike EVERYWHERE when I was 13. We did not have cell phones or helmets but we ventured all the way to the City of Waterbury, CT on our bikes. 10-15 miles from home was no big deal for us.

I recently read an article in Reader's Digest about a woman who let her young son navigate the NYC Subway on his own. People thought she was nuts but I happen to agree with her. Kids are not nearly as unsafe in our world as all the neurotic fear mongers want us to believe.

I remember going to NYC as a kid for the UPCI Harvestime street meeting. Am I dating myself? My brother and I got bored with the service. (Sorry, but we were kids) So, we took off to explore the subway. Did we feel unsafe? No! We figured, look at all these people, they’re not afraid to be here.

As an adult, I’ve traveled all over the U.S. and overseas. After 9-11, my wife and I visited ground zero in NYC. I have to say NYC was nothing like I remembered it as a kid. I’d say it is a safer place today than it was in the 70’s, by far. I’ve found the same thing everywhere I’ve traveled. Paris, London, Amsterdam, NY, LA, generally people are not out to harm some innocent stranger. Perverts can lurk in any neighborhood. However, let's have a little faith. It’s the Enemy who wants us to cower in fear.

Train your children. Instruct them in the evils of this world. But while you’re at it, don’t forget to teach them to trust God by showing them that you trust Him too.

while I appreciate the thought - in this day and age there is a time and place to teach your children life lessons.

I'd rather have my child at home with me than out on the roads where there ARE perverts and crazy people who *can* harm them. It is a sad reality but a very real one.

Your child can grow up confident, secure, trusting and smart. But when these situations arise you have to make the SMART choice and in this case a 13 yr old girl does not need to be out alone. Her ability to handle herself isnt the problem. We should have faith but we should also use good common sense.