Posted on June 6th, 2013 by lskenazy
Readers – Before you read this, let me say that I am eagerly awaiting a call later today from a lawyer whose organization fights for parents’ rights to raise their kids as they see fit, so long as they aren’t hurting them. In the meantime, here’s why we need a group like that: Dear Free-Range [...]
Filed under: Bad Laws, Rules and Verdicts, Child Protective Services, Infantilizing young folk, Miscellaneous | 54 Comments »
Posted on June 3rd, 2013 by lskenazy
Hi Readers! Christine Gross-Loh’s articles on HuffPo have been generating a lot of attention — with reason. She’s great! Thanks to her global perspective, she can attest that the worry and hovering so common in America represent a distinct and unusual type of parenting, not just the “instinct” many here feel it is. Meantime, she’s [...]
Filed under: Helicopter Effect on Kids, Infantilizing young folk, Miscellaneous, Other Places Other Eras, Zingers and retorts | 104 Comments »
Posted on May 28th, 2013 by lskenazy
Hi Folks! Here’s a bit of advice actual “safety experts” are giving kids — and parents. But first, the backstory. This New York Times guest parenting blogger wrote that her 7th grader came home one day and announced he “didn’t do it.” Didn’t do what? He and his friend were walking home from school (points for that!) [...]
Filed under: Crazy Parents, Helicopter Effect on Kids, Infantilizing young folk, Miscellaneous, Uber Safety, Walk to School / Stay Home Alone / Wait in Car | 84 Comments »
Posted on April 29th, 2013 by lskenazy
Hi Folks! My last two posts were about the 10-year-old boy not allowed to bring his pen knife on a nature trip as well as the ridiculous rules for adopting a pet that now sometimes include things like, “Pet needs one parent home at all times,” and, “Cat cannot be kept as a mouser in a barn.” [...]
Filed under: Helicopter Effect on Kids, Infantilizing young folk, Miscellaneous, School and Zero Tolerance and Bullies, Uber Safety | 42 Comments »
Posted on April 19th, 2013 by lskenazy
Readers — This is one of the most reflective, honest things I’ve ever read about parenting and marriage. It comes to us from Kristina Beth, in Utah. – L. Dear Free-Range Kids: This is my first time saying anything on this website, but I’ve often heard about this blog from my coworker. In the beginning, [...]
Filed under: Helicopter Effect on Kids, Infantilizing young folk, Miscellaneous | 90 Comments »
Posted on April 11th, 2013 by lskenazy
Hi Folks! This oped of mine recently appeared in the Wall Street Journal. Afterwards, I heard from guess who? Hint: She’s Chief Operating Officer of a very popular social network — and a Free-Range Kids fan! Here’s to spreading the “Kids are not in constant danger” message…perhaps via social media? – L LEAN IN AND [...]
Filed under: Crazy Parents, Helicopter Effect on Kids, Infantilizing young folk, Marketing Madness and Gadgets, Media Madness, Miscellaneous | 157 Comments »
Posted on April 3rd, 2013 by lskenazy
Readers — This is the continuing story of the 6-year-old detained by the cops for walking outside. It is disturbing and distressing. The family needs pro bono legal help. If any of you are lawyers or know someone who can help, please let me know and I will forward the info to the family. Remember: [...]
Filed under: Bad Laws, Rules and Verdicts, Child Protective Services, Helicopter Effect on Kids, Infantilizing young folk, Miscellaneous, Walk to School / Stay Home Alone / Wait in Car | 402 Comments »
Posted on April 2nd, 2013 by lskenazy
Readers — As many of you know, when I’m not busy posting, I am often off to give a keynote. It’s how I make my living. (Not by blogging? No. Not by blogging.) I’ve spoken everywhere from Microsoft, to the Sydney Opera House, to the Yale Child Study Center (twice!). In the next two months [...]
Filed under: GOOD News, Helicopter Effect on Kids, Infantilizing young folk, Marketing Madness and Gadgets, Miscellaneous, Zingers and retorts | 12 Comments »
Posted on March 28th, 2013 by lskenazy
Readers — This came in response to the post about a mom who let her 7-year-old sit out on their front stoop for a short time and the husband declared this “bad parenting!” Sometimes our society expects so little from kids in terms of competence, helpfulness and general responsibility, it’s nice to zoom out a [...]
Filed under: GOOD News, Infantilizing young folk, Miscellaneous | 22 Comments »
Posted on March 27th, 2013 by lskenazy
Hi Readers! Have you noticed that study abroad programs are becoming very common at college? (Is this as obvious as saying, “Have you noticed kids spend a lot of time on Facebook?” If so, sorry. It’s just a jumping off point.) Anyway, while traveling strikes me as great — we can all use some perspective! [...]
Filed under: Helicopter Effect on Kids, Infantilizing young folk, Miscellaneous, Other Places Other Eras | 58 Comments »
