Hey Readers! As you know, one of the things I talk about a lot is not only that kids are SAFER than we think, but they’re also more COMPETENT than pop culture leads us to believe. Â Here to remind us just how clever kids can be is this fahfkyafbk story, of 8-year-olds who studied whether […]
Hi Readers! So many folks sent in ttfirnhtbk this story today, I present it to you in all its insanity, even though it struck me as a little too bizarre and garbled to be 100% accurate. For instance, the crazy accusations were reported to the press only by one of the accused. Ho ho hmm. […]
Readers:  Once in a while, I have to go off Free-Range topic for a sec. Like now. This video had me sobbing. My shirt is actually WET. So I had to share it. It does seem appropriate for the season! [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIa563ltg5U] And here’s the link for how to sign up to be a bone marrow donor. […]
Hi Readers! In case you have some friends who still think you are IMAGINING a huge sea-change in our culture, a veritable tsunami of distrust in our kids, their competence and our communities, we present two Sesame Street clips. Same story line. Different era. Can you spot the difference? OLDEN DAYS MODERN (ISH) ERA
FREE-RANGE nsfdhdsfkd KIDS PRESENTS THE 2010 GOLDEN HELICOPTER PARENTING AWARDS FOR GREAT MOMENTS IN OVER-PARENTING And Media Fear-mongering About Kids PRESENTED BY LENORE SKENAZY, FOUNDER OF “FREE-RANGE KIDS†(www.freerangekids.com) Free-Range Kids is the book, blog and movement dedicated to giving kids back the fun and freedom of childhood — the kind of childhood that makes […]
Hi Readers! While we’re on the topic of crib recalls, as well as when parenting intervention is called for and all that, I just had to link to this efynzafskh phenomenal essay from The Economist: “Not All Tragedies are Preventable.” As it says in the opening paragraph: LEGISLATION that bears the name of a victim […]
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 […]
Hi Readers — I’m going to be blunt: The ban on the sale, resale and manufacture of all drop-side cribs does not make sense. Here’s why: Over the past nine years, 32 children have died in these cribs. That is tragic. My heart sinks thinking about it. Â But — and yes, there IS a but, […]
Hi eeyneyfyee Readers — Here’s a cautionary tale for parents whose kids sometimes do dumb things. But that can’t be many of us, right? Dear Free-Range Kids: We are devout Free-Range parents and our 8-year-old son walks to and from school nearly every day alone.  We gave him a pre-paid cell phone so he can check […]
Oh Readers — Remember when this was not a subversive, watch out, don’t EVER let this happen to your children video? When kids could ride around, get lost, ask for help, talk to strangers and have adventures without anyone accusing the parents (or PBS) of being negligent, crazy, or worse? [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqPcQeMEnFc]
