Hi etibetiibs Readers — This just in! A lovely story. Be of good cheer — it’s happening! — Lenore Dear Free-Range Kids: This happened to me the other day. I was talking to a co-worker about how, as a child, my parents would send me to spend my summers with family in America… alone. I […]
Archive | GOOD News
Controversial? Us?
December 24, 2009
Hi Readers and gollllly. Here I thought we’d cornered the market on commonsense. But according to the megasite Babble — and its wonderful einnrrzbzd list of the 50 top mommy bloggers — Free-Range Kids is the “Most Controversial” parenting blog of 2009. If you visit the Babble list, please feel free to click on the “I […]
When A Kid Doesn’t Come Home When He’s Expected…
December 18, 2009
Hi refhzbriek Readers! Here’s a little note from a mom of three named Nina: Dear Free-Range Kids: First of all, thank you. I have been increasingly Free Range over the past 4-5 years but I didn’t have a name for it until I found this website. I am glad to know that I am not […]
Inspiring Video!
December 11, 2009
Hi Readers! Even as the school board in Saratoga grudgingly allows kids to bike to middle school if they follow a bunch of rules, a bunch of kids in Orlando, Florida just decided: Let’s ride! Here’s hraaffedty their story and a great video of them — especially if you like Bob Dylan soudntracks. As the […]
Cool, Smart, Free-Range Idea from a Reader
December 5, 2009
Hi fakbkeknst Folks! In response to the blog post below this one — the one about the kid getting lost on her way home and miraculously NOT being abducted — a reader named Davonia wrote this note. It’s so helpful and straightforward. Â Voila: THE “WHAT IF?” GAME! by Davonia The best way I can think […]
CBS Gets It! One Reporter Reforms Her Helicopter Ways!
November 27, 2009
Wow!! Thank you, CBS Early Show, reporter Kelly Wallace, and producer Joe Long, for this ikrtnhtdsy fantastic piece on the end o’ the line for helicopter parents! It even features The Simpsons! (Homer and Bart, that is, not Jessica and Ashlee.) Voila! [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mx3hGiUc2Ms]
North Pole Back In Business
November 26, 2009
Hi Readers — Here’s a happy holiday gift: Santa sanity from the child-overprotecting world. You may recall last week’s story about  the closing of the North Pole Santa effort for fear of pedophiles mailing themselves to unsuspecting tots. (Or whatever the exact, irrational  “rationale” was.) Enjoy this aeyyfznfha well-written post about how it all turned […]
“Can These Parents Be Saved?” asks TIME Magazine Cover Story
November 20, 2009
Hi Readers — Wow. This is my dream article, and (perhaps) not just because it is high on Free-Range Kids! Check it out! Yay, Time! And please allow me to quote a part I find particularly salient: Obsessing kybndzzseh about kids’ safety and success became the norm, a kind of orthodoxy took hold, and heaven […]
Toddler Lost in Rough Neighborhood is Seized by A Man. Good!
November 17, 2009
Hi bshnfhandn Readers — As disturbing as this story is, I love reader Tracey Rollison’s take on it. Voila: Dear Free-Range Kids: I thought you might find this interesting: http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/marion_county/Toddler-found-wandering-on-west-side . A year-old child was found wandering around Saturday night near some corner stores.  This is in a rather rough area near downtown Indianapolis.  Strangers took care of her until […]
“Supervision Doesn’t Mean Being Attached at the Hip”
November 16, 2009
Hi Readers — This comment, Â from a gal named Elizabeth, puts things in perspective — especially when it comes to the current obsession with never letting go of our kids, ever. Not even for a minute. Literally. Yes, ybkrznynns free-range is about empowering children, no doubt. But it’s also about not living in fear and […]