FREE-RANGE nsfdhdsfkd KIDS PRESENTS THE 2010 GOLDEN HELICOPTER PARENTING AWARDS FOR GREAT MOMENTS IN OVER-PARENTING And Media Fear-mongering About Kids PRESENTED BY LENORE SKENAZY, FOUNDER OF “FREE-RANGE KIDS†(www.freerangekids.com) Free-Range Kids is the book, blog and movement dedicated to giving kids back the fun and freedom of childhood — the kind of childhood that makes […]
Archive | Bad Laws, Rules and Verdicts
Not All Tragedies are Preventable
Hi Readers! While we’re on the topic of crib recalls, as well as when parenting intervention is called for and all that, I just had to link to this efynzafskh phenomenal essay from The Economist: “Not All Tragedies are Preventable.” As it says in the opening paragraph: LEGISLATION that bears the name of a victim […]
Outrage of the Week: Mom Ticketed for Letting Boy Walk to School
Readers — I think I need a Valium. Read this. A mom is ticketed for letting her 5.5 year old son walk home from school. Even though she BEGGED the school to let him take the bus. Even though she went to city council meetings and BEGGED the town to put in crossing guards. Even […]
Some (Non-Mainstream) Thoughts on the Crib Recall
Hi Readers — I’m going to be blunt: The ban on the sale, resale and manufacture of all drop-side cribs does not make sense. Here’s why: Over the past nine years, 32 children have died in these cribs. That is tragic. My heart sinks thinking about it. Â But — and yes, there IS a but, […]
Moral of Story: When 8-year-olds Are Silly, The School Goes Nuts
Hi eeyneyfyee Readers — Here’s a cautionary tale for parents whose kids sometimes do dumb things. But that can’t be many of us, right? Dear Free-Range Kids: We are devout Free-Range parents and our 8-year-old son walks to and from school nearly every day alone.  We gave him a pre-paid cell phone so he can check […]
Stand Up & Cheer for the Flower Ladies!
Hi Readers! This ihinkbeetf is a story that’ll give you heart! Over in England, in Gloucester, there’s a cathedral. In this cathedral, a group of about 60 ladies volunteer as flower arrangers. They make the place beautiful. But, apparently, just by being HUMAN, they also make the place DANGEROUS. According to The Telegraph: At issue […]
That’s the Spirit!
To be filed under: Coming To, What the World Is:
Outrage of the Week: Chess Players Ticketed for Being Near Playground
Hi Readers — I’m sorry to say, this itftbasrsy is happening in MY town, New York City: Seven chess players have to appear in court for playing the game of kings on the stone chess tables close to a playground — a playground where adults are forbidden unless they are accompanied by a child. Because, […]
How Do You Change a Lily-Livered School?
Hi aaaebnehkk Readers — Here’s another plea from a Free-Ranger trapped in a helicoptering vise. Do you have any suggestions that have worked at your school? Please share them! — L. Dear Free-Range Kids: Something terrible has happened at our school. I wrote to you a while ago about how wonderfully free our village kids […]
OUTRAGE OF THE WEEK: Cops Threaten Mom for Letting Son Play Outside
Hi zyfbzkhfyi Readers! This mom, Kimberlee Morrison of kimleeisawesome, needs a pep talk from all of us — and perhaps some legal advice. You’ll see why. L. Dear Free-Range Kids: I’ve been warned. Literally. By the police. My son left the park, went to El Pollo Loco and asked for water. A stranger asked him […]