Topic: Want vs. Need

[Snowman]

Here is one. My son is 12 and wants to take the Go Train to Down Town Toronto on Sundays for his courses on his own.

What do you think?  Is he up for it?  Are you up for it?

He is ready and responsible enough. I'm the problem because I know the trouble that I got into at his age.

I'm sure that somehow, someway, despite being in trouble at a young age some of those experiences must have taught you some good lessons you carry with you to this day, no??

Is your kid a clone of you?  Or you think he's better behaved and knows better?

He knows better and not a risk taker like myself 

[rrocket]

Here is one. My son is 12 and wants to take the Go Train to Down Town Toronto on Sundays for his courses on his own.

When I was 12, I was finally allowed to visit my aunt in Montreal on my own.  An hour bus ride from our town to the Metro station (subway) on the south shore of Montreal.  Then, a twenty-minute Metro ride to the stop closest to her apartment (with transfers).  Then, a 20-minute walk along avenue du Parc to her building.  All this, with no cell phone to keep me "safe" or in contact with anyone.

The mind boggles.  And I loved it.

I know that he would be blown away by the experience and that we trust him go on his own. Perhaps it is time to let go...

Why don't you go with him the first couple of times to recon the route he will be taking and give him a few tips on being "street smart"?

[quadzilla]

Here is one. My son is 12 and wants to take the Go Train to Down Town Toronto on Sundays for his courses on his own.

When I was 12, I was finally allowed to visit my aunt in Montreal on my own.  An hour bus ride from our town to the Metro station (subway) on the south shore of Montreal.  Then, a twenty-minute Metro ride to the stop closest to her apartment (with transfers).  Then, a 20-minute walk along avenue du Parc to her building.  All this, with no cell phone to keep me "safe" or in contact with anyone.

The mind boggles.  And I loved it.

I know that he would be blown away by the experience and that we trust him go on his own. Perhaps it is time to let go...

Why don't you go with him the first couple of times to recon the route he will be taking and give him a few tips on being "street smart"?

Also if you can, get a phone number of somebody that lives close just in case something happens and he needs a place to go.

[johngenx]

Overall, it's just a much different society than a few decades ago.  When I was in school you could get the strap or a ruler across your knuckles if you acted up in class.  Today, if a teacher did that (or even a Parent for that matter) today they would probably be charged.      

Nope.  I can't legally give your kid candy (junk food ban) but I can hit them.  (In loco parentis)  Of course, I NEVER would, no matter how allowed I am.  Doesn't work.

[johngenx]

My daughter rides the bus from our 'burb into the inner city of Edmonton to go to school everyday.  After school, waiting for the bus, she chats with the hookers and homeless people.  (No one's ever going to call me a helicopter parent...!)

[Snowman]

Here is one. My son is 12 and wants to take the Go Train to Down Town Toronto on Sundays for his courses on his own.

When I was 12, I was finally allowed to visit my aunt in Montreal on my own.  An hour bus ride from our town to the Metro station (subway) on the south shore of Montreal.  Then, a twenty-minute Metro ride to the stop closest to her apartment (with transfers).  Then, a 20-minute walk along avenue du Parc to her building.  All this, with no cell phone to keep me "safe" or in contact with anyone.

The mind boggles.  And I loved it.

I know that he would be blown away by the experience and that we trust him go on his own. Perhaps it is time to let go...

Why don't you go with him the first couple of times to recon the route he will be taking and give him a few tips on being "street smart"?

Also if you can, get a phone number of somebody that lives close just in case something happens and he needs a place to go.

Last year we had a few runs where he gets on and off the train and walks to and from Union Station to his class without me. I would be on a different car and he textes me when he arrives while I run to the ACC and get Rapter scalper tickets.

[Loudpedal]

I wonder.... are kids with all these supervised "activities" any more balanced and better people than kids that don't have them?   
I know it was different times, different place but IIRC I had a cricket bat and ball. A soccer ball, a bicycle ( my only means of transport). The house always had books and there was a good library. Later I had a war surplus short wave radio and made enough doing a paper route to actually buy books and electronic parts.  A whole 3 channels of TV. My point is that none of these things were organized or supervised.  I am not complaining but to give an example:

Not far from my house there is a piece of land with carefully mown grass and three soccer pitches.  (Wellington and Edinburgh for the Guelphites) June through early September there are very organized soccer leagues playing on Saturday mornings.  6 or 8 teams judging by the colours of the uniforms. Referees, coaches, parents.  This is kids maybe between 8 and 12 years old by the look of them.   Great.    But I pass this area often at weekends , summer evenings and so on and NEVER have I seen any kids just kicking a ball around. I actually drove all around it this summer and there are no signs forbidding anything.  I would have expected to see kids there at other times just playing...

I think it depends on the sport.  My son (8 yrs old) is in his first year of Rep hockey.  After the 6 ice times per week, he still wants to play on the driveway/street with his friends until dark.   Also, once we get some cold weather, he and his neighborhood buddies will be able to play on this...

[carcrazed]

I didn't smoke a single thing (cigarette, cigars, weed) in my life because it would negatively affect me playing basketball.  I need to get my kid(s) into sports.. hopefully he/she won't get too deep into hockey since it's too costly and time consuming for all parties involved. 

[ktm525]

I didn't smoke a single thing (cigarette, cigars, weed) in my life because it would negatively affect me playing basketball.  I need to get my kid(s) into sports.. hopefully he/she won't get too deep into hockey since it's too costly and time consuming for all parties involved. 

You have a successful basketball career?

[carcrazed]

I didn't smoke a single thing (cigarette, cigars, weed) in my life because it would negatively affect me playing basketball.  I need to get my kid(s) into sports.. hopefully he/she won't get too deep into hockey since it's too costly and time consuming for all parties involved. 

You have a successful basketball career?

I was never good enough to make a career out of it, but I can play without having problem breathing like many of my smoking friends
Plus, I never liked the smell.
 

[ktm525]

I didn't smoke a single thing (cigarette, cigars, weed) in my life because it would negatively affect me playing basketball.  I need to get my kid(s) into sports.. hopefully he/she won't get too deep into hockey since it's too costly and time consuming for all parties involved. 

You have a successful basketball career?

I was never good enough to make a career out of it, but I can play without having problem breathing like many of my smoking friends
Plus, I never liked the smell.
 

I always hear a story about the air quality of the GTA (smog) was like the eq. of smoking a pack or two a week. True?

[Loudpedal]

I didn't smoke a single thing (cigarette, cigars, weed) in my life because it would negatively affect me playing basketball.  I need to get my kid(s) into sports.. hopefully he/she won't get too deep into hockey since it's too costly and time consuming for all parties involved. 

You have a successful basketball career?

I was never good enough to make a career out of it, but I can play without having problem breathing like many of my smoking friends
Plus, I never liked the smell.
 

I always hear a story about the air quality of the GTA (smog) was like the eq. of smoking a pack or two a week. True?

I've heard similar...1 day of breathing metropolitan city air=2 cigarettes.   Shanghai however, may be significantly more...

[airbalancer]

I didn't smoke a single thing (cigarette, cigars, weed) in my life because it would negatively affect me playing basketball.  I need to get my kid(s) into sports.. hopefully he/she won't get too deep into hockey since it's too costly and time consuming for all parties involved. 

You have a successful basketball career?

I was never good enough to make a career out of it, but I can play without having problem breathing like many of my smoking friends
Plus, I never liked the smell.
 

I always hear a story about the air quality of the GTA (smog) was like the eq. of smoking a pack or two a week. True?

I drove by the Don Valley and Gardener this morning just before 7 am on my way to port credit, it did not smell very pretty.
I think when the farmer spread manure it smells better

[carcrazed]

I didn't smoke a single thing (cigarette, cigars, weed) in my life because it would negatively affect me playing basketball.  I need to get my kid(s) into sports.. hopefully he/she won't get too deep into hockey since it's too costly and time consuming for all parties involved. 

You have a successful basketball career?

I was never good enough to make a career out of it, but I can play without having problem breathing like many of my smoking friends
Plus, I never liked the smell.
 

I always hear a story about the air quality of the GTA (smog) was like the eq. of smoking a pack or two a week. True?

I drove by the Don Valley and Gardener this morning just before 7 am on my way to port credit, it did not smell very pretty.
I think when the farmer spread manure it smells better

I agree about DVP & Bloor-Dundas area smells like sewage.  I close my vents when I pass by that section.

IMO, all those people who smoke in front of office buildings and while walking around are some of major contributors to the poor air quality in downtown TO.  Needless to say, cars are bad too.

[safristi]

    I WANTa Ciggie..............I NEEDa crap......

[KailynLaw]

You do not need a new car.    If you want and can afford a new car, go ahead.