Three miles from home, ages 10 and 12…no, not acceptable. I’m having a hard time thinking of when something like this would be acceptable, unless the children are a lot older. If they were a block from home in a safe area and know how to get home from there, I guess it wouldn’t be so bad. For me, I’d have to know from previous experience that my kids were capable of getting home on their own from wherever they were.
When I read something like this, I always think of what I would do in that situation. If I was truly losing my mind, I’d pull over, park, and step out of the car to take a deep breath. Then, I’d deal with the kids when I felt calm enough. When we got home, they would suffer the consequences. I’ve had three kids bothering each other in the car before, and usually all it takes if for me to pull over and have a talk with them. They know once we get home they will lose privileges and be sent to their rooms. They are ages 11 to 5, and I honestly can’t remember the last time I had a problem with them in the car. They’ve learned better. :)
On the other hand, when I was 10 years old, I was allowed to walk several blocks to the local shopping center to buy candy or records. I walked to school, walked to the pool, and rode my bike wherever I wanted. If my mom had tossed me out of the car, odds are I could have found my way home. A kid who isn’t able to roam around might have more trouble and would naturally panic.