Hi bnskribnky Folks! Â This is perhaps the most absurd story ever reported here — and that’s saying a lot! A reader named Rachel writes: A Deaf child named Hunter is not allowed to use his name sign because the sign for “Hunter” (a dictionary word) uses the thumb and first two fingers in a gun […]
School Outrage of the Week: No Cartwheels Unless “Trained Gymnastics Teacher” Supervising
Hi Readers! If you send your kids to the Drummoyne publics grammar school in Sydney, kindly instruct them to stay upright their whole day, as cartwheels, head- and handstands are no longer allowed unless zaeibtaani  “under the supervision of a trained gymnastics teacher and with correct equipment,”‘ according to the Local West Courrier. The ruling […]
Clown Teaching Kids to be “Berry Berry Safe”…Except from Berry Berry Creepy Clowns
Hi Folks — Let me state upfront that I agree with this, uh, guy: Teach your kids never to go off with  stranger. But is there anyone stranger than this blue-haired, baby-tawking clown who keeps showing up out of nowhere?  The lesson he seems intent on teaching kids: Never go anywhere without a possibly […]
2 College Presidents Beg Parents to Hover…in a New Way
Hi Folks — Just reading an early copy of an initftfhah oped to be published in tomorrow’s Washington Post by the president of Northwestern University,Morty Schapiro, and the president of Lewis & Clark College,Barry Glassner, who is author of the book (turned phrase) The Culture of Fear. Instead of merely telling parents to quit helicoptering when they drop […]
The Flashcard Backlash!
Hi Readers — Lovely ktzhbhhken article by Tara Parker-Pope in today’s New York Times about how we have been led astray by the flashcard mentality that says the more we DRILL our littlest students the SMARTER they become. On the surface of it, the drilling idea makes sense: Why not efficiently shove info into our kids? Here’s […]
A Conversation with an Older Man
Hi ttydnneita Folks — To be filed under, “What we’ve lost.” Or maybe, “What Free-Range Kids is working  to bring back.” – L. Dear Free-Range Kids: I had an interesting experience in the Target parking lot today. While I was unloading my cart, an older man passed and complimented me on my four kids. I […]
A Question About Dad Driving the Babysitter
Dear tstreytekh Readers — This letter got me wondering, too. Eagerly awaiting your answers. – L Dear Free-Range Kids: Â I found your blog recently and have been going through all of your past posts (driving my hubby crazy with “listen to this…..!”). Â I have been a Free-Range mom for years now (10 years, 5 kids), […]
Guest Post: Parents — Reach for the Duct Tape
Hi znzsstynbs Readers! Here’s a little list of tips from Vicki Hoefle, author of the brand-new book:Â Duct Tape Parenting: A Less is More Approach to Raising Respectful, Responsible and Resilient Kids. – L 5 Simple Ways to Let Go and Raise a Resilient Child, by Vicki Hoefle Hey there Free-Rangers! I want to give a […]
When is A Bumbo Seat Safe Enough?
Hi Folks! Just read about this warning regarding Bumbo Seats — little seats that look even safer than normal seats because there’s a big, hmmm, I guess “bumbo” in front of the crotch, wedging the child in. (See below.) About 4 million — that’s 4,000,000 — have been sold. And now they are being recalled […]
Guest Post: Danger Sells
Hi rsiknrbzsn Folks — Here’s a little essay reminding us that the push to sell ever more things dovetails with the push for us to fear ever more  new things. It comes to us from Kassandra  Brown, who says she “supports women in transition and conscious parenting.” – L Danger Sells The biggest backlash to […]