Walking your children to school worthy of an A+

AS STUDENTS prepare to return to school next week, families should strongly consider having their children walk to school, which not only saves time and money, but (also) reduces stress and pollution.

Every day during the school year, I see parents waiting in long car drop-off lines that would not exist if more children walked to school. Even children who live far from their school could have their parents park a half mile away, then save gas and time by walking with their children instead. Additionally, stress would be reduced. Children would be able to get their “wiggles out” before having to sit for long periods of time in a classroom, and parents could be checking in with their children about the day ahead or hearing how the day went.

Fewer auto accidents would occur with fewer cars on the road, and a reduction in pollution would result with fewer cars spewing exhaust fumes into the atmosphere.

Finally, think of the good physical and mental condition that families would have as a result of walking at least a mile a day. New Mexico has great weather most of the school year.

If more children walked to school, we could solve so many of today’s problems: obesity, pollution, stress, anxiety, time constraints and financial hardship due to wasting money on automobile expenses. Before you dismiss this idea, try timing how long you sit in the car drop-off lane, how long it takes to walk to your child’s school and how much you spend on auto expenses each month. JEAN WILKINSON-RODNEY Albuquerque