Get The Bump digital magazine >

tools: Pregnancy Calendar | Baby Namer | Gender Chart | How Big is Baby?

community

all boards


birth clubs


nest boards


my blog

my photos

my boards


200+ Easy Weeknight Meals!

Green living: Eco-friendly tips & tricks!

< Previous topic | Next topic >

All Boards > School-Aged Children

Sort:
12-20-2012 at 10:42 AM
mrs_sexy
Not Ranked
Joined on 10-16-2003
Kansas
2,293 Posts
8,550 Points
mrs_sexy is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 11:03 AMSilver

Holding an adult's hand

My kids still do it without question or complaints while crossing the street, in parking lots, etc.  What age do you stop or do they stop?  Dumb question, but I'm curious.
Wendy Twins 1/27/06. DS and DD 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 12:29 PM
penguingrr...
Top 150 Contributor
Joined on 11-19-2006
In NYC for now, but always a Jersey girl at heart!
20,227 Posts
37,715 Points
penguingrrl is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 10:51 AMPlatinum

For us it's incredibly situation dependent. My 5 year old automatically holds hands, but if my hands are full I'm okay with her not. She knows to watch for cars and understands the rules.

But it also depends on where we are. The tiny parking lot for her sister's preschool? She doesn't need to hold my hand. A huge mall parking lot with god knows who is driving? She needs to hold me or my bag or arm or whatever. When the baby comes I'll be retraining both kids to hold the stroller (we haven't regularly brought a stroller with us  in a good year now, so they're out of the habit) since my hands won't be free.

Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 1:19 PM
jlw2505
Not Ranked
Joined on 09-23-2004
MN
8,582 Posts
8,849 Points
jlw2505 is not online. Last active: 05-17-2013, 3:21 PMGold
Totally depends on where we are.  My kids are 4 1/2 (5 in March) and 6 1/2.  IN the mornings when I drop them off at school, we are there for before care and there is next to no traffic in the parking lot (just a handful of other parents at that time) so they can walk without holding my hand.  When we leave school, the parking lot is a mess so the girls hold hands and I hold one of them so we form a train sort of.  In other situations, they just need to be right next to me.  I still typically hold my 4 1/2 year olds hand the majority of the time but not my 6 1/2 year old.  I totally trust both of them to stay right next me but I do base it on the situation.  My DH is stricker with this one and still wants both to hold his hand all the time.
Jenni Mom to DD#1 - 6-16-06 DD#2 - 3-13-08 My Blog: http://lifewithmy2princesses.blogspot.com/ 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 4:29 PM
neverblush...
Not Ranked
Joined on 04-25-2002
4,844 Posts
10,691 Points
neverblushed is not online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 6:18 PMSilver

Both of my kids were probably about 6 or 7.  I think it depends on the situation and the kid's ability to stick with you and pay attention to pedestrian and vehicle traffic patterns.

There are still some situations (downtown Washington, DC for instance) where I'll hold my 8 y/o's hand to cross a very busy intersection, or whatever. 
Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers

Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-20-2012 at 7:40 PM
jnksmom
Not Ranked
Joined on 01-16-2009
KY
3,712 Posts
8,847 Points
jnksmom is not online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 7:15 PMSilver
My kids are 4 and 5.5 and most of the time they hold my hands, arm, or purse(if my hands are full). There are times when they just walk  beside me and I am okay with that in non-busy areas/parking lots.  I think it is such a habit for them that they hold my hand without really thinking about it.
Lilypie Fifth Birthday tickers Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-21-2012 at 12:26 AM
Jelliebean...
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-17-2003
4,555 Posts
14,327 Points
Jelliebean1982 is not online. Last active: 05-19-2013, 11:55 PMSilver
Most kids phase it out around 2nd grade. I see a lot of 1st graders wanting to hold hands, less of it in 2nd, and no one in the 3rd on up will hold an adult's hand. I am basing this purely on what I see as a teacher when we walk our kids to their cars at pick up time.

Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-21-2012 at 7:10 AM
mrs_sexy
Not Ranked
Joined on 10-16-2003
Kansas
2,293 Posts
8,550 Points
mrs_sexy is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 11:03 AMSilver
Thanks for all the replies.
Wendy Twins 1/27/06. DS and DD 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-21-2012 at 7:11 AM
mrs_sexy
Not Ranked
Joined on 10-16-2003
Kansas
2,293 Posts
8,550 Points
mrs_sexy is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 11:03 AMSilver

Jelliebean1982:
Most kids phase it out around 2nd grade. I see a lot of 1st graders wanting to hold hands, less of it in 2nd, and no one in the 3rd on up will hold an adult's hand. I am basing this purely on what I see as a teacher when we walk our kids to their cars at pick up time.

This is what I figured, and it's good to hear from a teacher's prospective.  I don't want to scar them, but honestly, I will be sad when they quit. 

Wendy Twins 1/27/06. DS and DD 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-23-2012 at 6:20 AM
shopgirl78
Not Ranked
Joined on 09-07-2004
Texas
12,806 Posts
7,293 Points
shopgirl78 is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 5:53 AMGold

Since I have 3 kids and 2 hands, usually, I am for sure holding my 2 year old.   If its busy, I hold my 5 year olds hand and have him hold his sisters or the cart  or something attached to us.  If its no busy, I only hold the baby's hand.  The amount of people/ busyness is all gauged in my head....

My 7 year doesn't usually put up a fight, more than likely its the 5 year old.   
Photo credit: Stephanie Fisher Photography

Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-23-2012 at 8:34 PM
LoriLee14
Not Ranked
Joined on 01-12-2008
505 Posts
10,220 Points
LoriLee14 is not online. Last active: 05-20-2013, 10:28 AMBronze
I still reach out for my mom or husbands hand when crossing a busy street or parking lot. Just habit now (i'm 27)
Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
12-26-2012 at 8:23 PM
MOMofGnGn+...
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-25-2012
340 Posts
7,310 Points
MOMofGnGn+1 is not online. Last active: 04-28-2013, 10:32 PMNewbie
I dunno, I don't feel like my boys HAVE to hold my hand for safety anymore really but I still love holding their hands and being close to them. I'll stop when they want me to, but they still like to as well. They are 7 and 5.
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
01-17-2013 at 4:35 PM
heather519...
Not Ranked
Joined on 05-21-2011
132 Posts
2,518 Points
heather51983 is not online. Last active: 04-30-2013, 2:40 PMNewbie
My dd will be 11 in March and when its super crowded somewhere like the mall or walking in downtown Seattle she holds my hand other then that its just whenever she feels like. 
My Ovulation Chart
 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
01-22-2013 at 4:39 PM
J&A2008
Not Ranked
Joined on 08-14-2007
my own slice of paradise
8,580 Posts
19,776 Points
J&A2008 is not online. Last active: 04-23-2013, 11:23 AMGold

I will still sometimes ask my middle son (third grade) to hold my hand if the parking lot is busy, it's rainy or dark.

He cannot be seen behind many cars, as he is short. 

Usually he does not take my hand, but I do sometimes ask him to.  I like having LO, as it's an excuse to have him take LO's other hand.  So, he's not being the little kid, he's "helping" me by taking LO's other hand.
Stay at home mom to a house of boys: two amazing stepsons, 12 and 9, and our 4 year old. 
Report Abuse
Reply
Quote
Hot Topics

New dad or dad-to-be? Chat with other dads here!
Visit the Dads & Dads-to-be board

Need baby shower inspiration? Get ideas here!
Visit the Baby Showers board

Chat with other crafty moms here!
Visit the Crafty Moms board

search boards

choose another board