On my way to the first day of third grade. I may not have front teeth, but man was I proud to have my very own bike lock, with a secret combination!
Last year a New York Times article asserted
"Forty years ago, half of all students walked or bicycled to school. Today, fewer than 15 percent travel on their own steam."They go on to list myriad environmental, health, and mental acuity-related benefits to getting one's self to school.
I'd like to add another: Self Confidence.
I am certain that I was (am?) a stronger person as a result of my independence and self-reliance at a young age. My mother tacitly sent the message that she had faith in my good judgment by allowing me to get myself to and from school. This carried over into other aspects of my life outside the scope of this blog, including things like eventual peer pressure to smoke, etc. (yes, I am THAT old!)
Thank you Mom, for your faith in me.
Parents: protect your children, but don't forget to give them wings.
