Hey Readers: Here’s a nice tatdkteebn story from our friends up north! No — not another igloo. A Canadian school that really wants kids to get there on their own. Listen to this: … P.L. Robertson elementary in Milton, which opened this week, has been designated a “walking-only school,” where students will be strongly encouraged […]
Archive | Walk to School / Stay Home Alone / Wait in Car
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 […]
One (Frustrating, Makes Me Want to Yank My Hair Out) Conversation At A Time
December 15, 2009
Hi rzeisnredt Readers — Here’s a letter I got yesterday. It hit me in the gut because this woman just went through the same process I think a lot of us go through daily: Trying to deal, calmly, with the knee-jerk response of, “That’s too dangerous!” to any suggestion that kids can do anything on […]
Tragedy Miraculously Averted!
December 4, 2009
Hi Readers! I’m sorry for what happened to this kid, but is it NEWS? brfybtbara And did we NEED that last line? And as the guy who sent this to Free-Range Kids said: “I thought this a headline from The  Onion.” But no. It’s from Gainseville, Fla: 7-year-old ends up walking home alone from school […]
Kids Aren’t In Danger Every Time They Wait in the Car!
November 1, 2009
Hi dzbkkfefkt Readers! Yes, here is another “I left my kid in the car for a sec” story. Why? Because I am astounded to find commenters even here on Free-Range Kids berating the parents who make this sane, safe choice when circumstances call for it. These parents are not leaving their children in active volcanos. […]
The Dame in Spain
October 30, 2009
Hola Readers — I’m just back from Spain, which seems a little more Free-Range than America. (And Canada. And especially England!) One Madrid playground my son Izzy and I visited actually had a see-saw, something you rarely see (saw) in America anymore, thanks to the fear of bump-induced lawsuits. Izzy declared it the most fun […]
A Mom Worries: Am I Bad? Friends, Family Say “YES!”
October 9, 2009
Hi kaendsnffd Readers — Here’s a dilemma almost every “good” parent will face at some point. Does it take just one, normal, harried parenting decision with ZERO consequences to make others find us BAD? Sometimes it seems the parenting path is narrow indeed. Dear Lenore: I am currently reading your book, am only about halfway, […]
Non-Sanctimonious Blog About Today: WALK TO SCHOOL DAY!
October 7, 2009
Hi azderhizsy Readers — I’m all for walking to school but I never expected such a beautiful blog post about it. Thank you, Massachusetts mom o’ two, Karen Allendoerfer! WHERE WALKING GETS YOU by Karen Allendoerfer I am the PTO Walk-to-School Coordinator for my kids’ elementary school. I already have 2 kids, a full-time job, […]
Ancient Child-Locomotive Practice to Be Revived for a Day
October 7, 2009
Just a reminder: All across the country (and world!)Â tomorrow, parents will be encouraging their kids to try a strange ancient practice called, “walking ebtihesedf to school.” Perhaps it is time to reach back in into the hazy mists of time and try it in your neighborhood, too!
Support Safe Routes To School!
September 14, 2009
Hi dtebkidrbf Readers — To see a line of cars snaking up to the door of school on a sparkling fall day is disheartening, especially when those cars disgorge perfectly able-bodied little kids who live just a few blocks away. But sometimes the problem is not parental hysteria. Sometimes, it’s that there are no crossing guards at a busy street, […]