I READ with interest your story on Fraser and Cooper Heard, "Exercise some common sense", (WT, February 3), who ride to the school bus.

It reminded me of my sisters and brothers, who all walked to school for our first six years, even though my mother had to chase me at times with a big stick to get me to go as I was not one who really liked school.

That was nearly 30 years ago.

Now my son, who is in grade one this year, gets a lift to school.

But from the first day of preps, he has walked home with mum.

In a year or two, when we can trust him to walk straight home and not be sidetracked or bring everything home he finds on his way, he will be able to walk to and from school by himself.

Like a lot of parents nowadays, we have become a lot more distrusting of people and feel a lot safer if we can keep our kids close by.

So mum may keep meeting our son after school, but they will still be walking.

Bruce Knell, Laverton, Victoria

Congratulations Bruce, your letter has won you an Australia Post prize pack.