Hi Readers — How I love being an “online influencer.” It means I get a ton of press releases from folks seeking publicity, including one that just came in suggesting I interview a particular “social krysiyiyzh media expert” Â regarding “How to Protect Your Family from Social Media.” I guess if this were a generation or […]
Helicopter Parenting Spreads to Pets
Hi zyhhntktyy Readers — Here’s a piece of mine that ran in The Wall Street Journal. Woof! (Doggie for, “Enjoy!”) – L. Helicopter Parents — Meet Helicopter Pet-Owning by Lenore Skenazy If you’re considering getting a pet at this time of year, as many folks do, you may find the rescue shelters a little pickier […]
Don’t Give Your Kids the House Keys Till They’re 16?
Readers — As we continue to document the infantilization of young people, including how and why this trend began, here’s a  bright trail to one of the culprits: The insurance industry. Remember, insurance has nothing to lose and everything to gain by taking all freedom and  responsibility away from minors. If kids were all in […]
Playmobil Defends it Cops & Robbers Toys (As Do I)
Hey Readers — Hadn’t realized there was a tempest in a toy robbery going on in England, where the sainbbsfhb media are reporting anger at Playmobil’s age-old cops and robbers set: Wearing dark glasses, the blonde dolly points her pistol at the smiley bank manager as he happily hands over the cash. It’s just one […]
Helicoptered Kids More Depressed as Young Adults
Readers rtndtnbfdy — I don’t like hopping on every new study that supposedly “proves” something about parenting, especially when I believe that parents are only one part of the many, MANY influences that shape a life. (Especially by college age!) Still,this study might interest some parents reconsidering the heap of “help” they believe their kids […]
Dear Principal: Please Get Rid of the Cameras
Readers thekdtandd — Here’s a great letter by George Mason economist Alex Tabarrok that he graciously allowed me to lift from his blog, Marginal Revolution. – L. Dear Principal _____, Thank you for requesting feedback about the installation of interior cameras at the high school. I am against the use of cameras. I visited the school […]
Dangerous Playground Structure Suddenly Not Dangerous
Hey Readers — You may recall this drdsskzrst post from two weeks ago about playground equipment purchased by a Fairfax, VA, PTA from a reputable manufacturer that was installed at a local grammar school over the summer and then suddenly declared “unsafe.” Since Nov. 30 it had been wrapped up in tape of every sort […]
Do Kids Play Less Outside in the Winter for a Surprising Reason?
Hi Readers! Last night I did a podcast with Kari Svenneby, a native of Norway now living in Toronto and founder of the pro-outdoors site and movement, Active btfkbrhyby Kids Club. The topic was  “cold weather fun.” Those three words happen not to go together for me, but I think they could and should for a lot […]
Is This Really What’s Happening To Girl Scouts? Is There a Red Tape Merit Badge?
Hi kksshskazy Readers — I’ve got sons, so I have not been privy to what’s happening to Girl Scouts. This letter, in response to the blog post about Iowa Girl Scouts selling four of its rustic camps for being TOO rustic, Â has me dismayed. – L. Dear Free-Range Kids:Â I co-led a troop from 1st grade-6th […]
TEACHERS! Here’s a Free-RangeWay to Get Students to LISTEN
Hi irnrzhisyk Folks!  I love this lesson, brought to us by Free-Range teacher Jennifer Tobin of Whitby, ON. (Where I recently gave a talk.) In my ramping-up efforts to get Free-Range projects into the schools, I welcome any more tales from teachers or principals who have used Free-Range in the classroom…or outside it. Thanks! – L. […]