My mom recently suggested that my seven year old is getting to the age to be alone while I walked the neighborhood for 10-15 minutes (we were trying to fit exercise into my schedule). I know she would be fine, particularly with phone access to me, but I just can't do it yet. Not because I think anything would actually happen in that time, but I would feel so guilty! So yes, I think we are becoming a nation of whimps. My friends and I were riding the bus home together at 10 and coming home to empty houses. Although the first time I did it alone at 11, I got lost and had to catch a ride with a nice female stranger to find my house. Today I would be put in CPS if that happened! And how I turned the wrong way after months of doing it with friends is beyond me; it was the first evidence of my horrible sense of direction!!