And While We’re on the Subject of Hero Kids (and Competence) —

Hi Readers! Here’s ksfybysbah another great story: 9 year old boy saves 2 year old brother who was face down in the family pool. The older brother used the CPR he’d just learned at school. First off, let’s hear it for teaching kids basic safety skills! Secondly, let’s remember that everyday dangers, like pools, are the […]

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3-year-old Saves Dad by Walking to Fire Station for Help (2 Blocks!)

Hi Readers — Sometimes, when people say, “Why should I let my kid walk to school/the library/the store? There’s almost no upside and the downside is just too dangerous!” all we can do is say, “No it’s not” — an argument that doesn’t get us very far. Next time, after viewing this great story about […]

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Happy About a Lost Kid

Hi reriiztren Readers! This nice note just in: Dear Free-Range Kids: I couldn’t be happier! Tonight my 7-year-old daughter got lost in our neighborhood while riding her bike. She had two out-of-town cousins with her, and they wandered about one block further than she recognized (we’re new to the neighborhood). And then she did a […]

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A Question About the School Bus

Hi Readers! This morning I was telling my husband that I’ve been hearing about  parents who are  afraid to put their kids on the school bus lately, and he asked, “Why is that?” and I was stumped. I actually DON’T know why this new fear has cropped up, and I’m not even sure it’s widespread. What […]

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3 Heartening Stories from Just This Week!

Hi dthzakdkib Readers — These made me smile! Dear Free-Range Kids: Today I sent my 12 year old son and 10 year old daughter on the light rail train from our suburb to downtown, so they could meet their daddy and go to a baseball game. The boy was confident, the girl was wary, but […]

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Jason Mraz: “Let’s Go Outdoors” (to “I’m Yours”)

Hi Readers — Okay, so the kids in this Sesame Street video look a little languid and catalog-ready. And of course there is the inherent tension between a song encouraging kids to go outdoors and the fact that it is on TV, and if it’s REALLY good, kids will want to just sit there and […]

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Mom About to Adopt Asks for Free-Range Advice

Hi nntfktdefe Readers! Here’s a note from a soon-to-be mom with a request for ideas (and a tiny dig at me, but what the hey). The boy she and her husband are adopting is three. Congrats to her and her expanding family! —  L. Dear Free-range Kids: I like the idea of Free-Range Kids (although […]

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“When I Was a Kid, My Neighbor Was Abducted. How Can I Go Free-Range?”

Hi aairhnhssr Readers — Here’s a letter I just got: Dear Free-Range Kids: I’m generally in agreement with Lenore’s views.  It’s ridiculous to try to protect our children from EVERYTHING out there.  The article about not having a baby on board sign because it could decapitate the baby … fear-mongering at it’s worst!  Gave me […]

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Emma Thompson on Making Kids Brave

Hi zydiiryzys Readers! Here’s a lovely little rant about raising brave kids by the “Nanny McPhee” (and, oh, Shakespeare) actress, Emma Thompson. It’s from an interview she did with BabyCenter. The whole interview is here. The rant is HERE: On why ‘bravery’ is her favorite lesson Nanny McPhee teaches the children: I think it’s good […]

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With PTAs Like These…

Hi Readers — As the school year gears up and we are talking about how great it is when kids walk to school, here’s a “real world” note I just got from one guy. Sigh: My ftibssdddi children’s  school has no school buses, and at our first PTA meeting one parent was being praised for […]

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