Originally Posted by
Roody
As for my grandson, unless I walk to the school to pick him up, he is driven there and back. We only have one car, so it's rather difficult sometimes, but it gets done. Personally, I would have him walk since its only one mile. My son agrees. Even my grandson, who describes himself as "lazy", has been telling me for a year now that he would prefer to walk sometimes. But my daughter-in-law won't allow it. I guess she thinks the neighborhood is too dangerous.
Just my opinion, but perhaps it's time for the teen to rebel. I mean, what kind of punishment would there be if he just pre-emptively walked or biked to school? It doesn't have to be all the time. But it sounds like it could be a difficulty reliever if there were times when he takes charge of his own transportation on occasion. I suspect this will occur if you give it time. High school will expose him to new norms and demands.
Looking back, I had a variety of transportation methods, walking, cycling, getting rides from friends and even driving. It's part of stepping out into the world. I hope you can make some progress on this front this year. It may be part of the natural growth, that he becomes more and more independent.
For me using a bike gave me the best control over my life. It enabled me to do after-school activities like soccer and drama and still get home at a reasonable hour. My old Wald baskets could carry a prodigious load. But walking wasn't bad either.