Hi sssyrtfbsf Folks! Here’s a question about bathroom break protocol at a Sunday School. Weigh in! — L Dear Free-Range Kids: What got me interested in this movement is a conversation I had at church just over a week ago. I’m my church’s Health and Safety Officer, but we also have a Child Protection Officer […]
Archive | Walk to School / Stay Home Alone / Wait in Car
Frustrated in Florida
Hi tyfyehrszy Readers — A quickie note from the front lines of insanity. L. Dear Free-Range Kids: I just had to shoot you a quick email in order to vent my frustration. My son stayed after school today to re-take a test. I told him to call when he was done and his dad would pick […]
Is It Safe to Leave Sleeping Kids at Home for a Bit?
Hi dzfdzzkhbd Readers — I got this question yesterday and it is one that comes up from time to time. I’ll give you my answer, but the author would like to have yours, too. Here goes: . Dear Free-Range Kids: I have a question for you. Or a scenario. Every morning — ok most mornings […]
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 […]
Quit Ragging on the Car-jack Parents!
Hi Readers: Here’s one of many incensed ydhzytkdai folks who is slamming the parents who had left their baby in the car for a few seconds when along came a carjacker. (Video below.) The parents — right nearby – valiantly broke the window, climbed in and stopped the guy. But many commenters are saying SHAME ON THEM. They were “irresponsible” for being out […]
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 […]
And So, Things Change
Hi faeaneeddy Readers! Have a great weekend! — L. Dear Free-Range Kids: I just wanted to share with you a small but happy Free-Range story that probably wouldn’t have come about if your site hadn’t given me the courage to articulate the reasons why my children should be allowed to do strange things like walk to […]
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 […]
Amazing Halloween Horror Story!
Hi Readers — Read it and creep: Â This kfzeyatits fantastic article from The American Spectator is about how Manchester, New Hampshire, imposed a law, on the books for decades, making Halloween officially the Sunday afternoon BEFORE Oct. 31. The law was, of course, in reaction to all the usual Halloween fears — razors, poison, torture […]
A Second Grade Boy Gets a Key to His House
Hi setrbinnzs Readers! Here’s a letter that’ll make you smile! — L Dear Free-Range Kids:Â Today, thanks in part to you, I am going to have a copy of my house key made for my son. My son is in second grade. He and his sister go to different schools and I thought it would be […]