Dear Readers: Â OMG, as I rarely say, because I am over 22. Â Here’s the latest crazy thing, according to the sadtbefeft San Diego Union Tribune: An 11-year-old boy did a science project on his own (tsk tsk!) and brought the results to show his buddies at Millennial Tech Magnet Middle School. Â Yes, a school DEVOTED […]
You Mean Kids Can Survive Winter Recess?
January 15, 2010
Hi tsbbntkfhn Readers! After all the discussion a week or two ago about schools cancelling recess in the (less-than-bone-chilling) cold,  another mom sent in her school’s policy. I like it! Voila: Dear Parent: Even in the cold winter months, we believe outdoor recess is an important and valuable part of the student’s day in the […]
Found: A Free-Range Kid Of Recent Vintage!
January 15, 2010
Hi hbynhyzbhs Readers — We talk (a lot!) about raising Free-Range Kids. Ever wonder what it feels like to BE one in this day and age? Or if there even ARE any in this day and age? Read on! Dear Free-Range Kids:Â Well, I am actually 17, and for some strange reason, found this blog and […]
Hooray for 8-Year-Old Lifeguards!
January 14, 2010
Here’s iekfntysfs a story to cheer us all up! Who says 8-year-olds are too young to do anything “real”? And by the way, with all the talk about how to protect our kids — isn’t one of the best things we can do: Teach them to swim? — L.
Dear Abby: I’m 15 and My Parents Still Push Me in a Swing
January 13, 2010
Hi kkestkbrtk Readers and yowza. I hope this letter is a prank. If it’s not, how sad, how icky and how nuts. And for once I pretty much agree with Dear “Start Worrying NOW!” Abby. DEAR ABBY: I’m a 15-year-old girl whose parents treat me like an 8-year-old. They not only refuse to let me […]
Prisoner of the Playdate: Let’s Help This Mom!
January 12, 2010
Hi rfnztdrrtf Readers — Here’s today’s yelp for help from the frontiers of modern parenting. Got any great ideas? Share ’em! Â Meantime, as to her plea, “How can I find other Free-Range parents in the neighborhood?” I really do hope to be revamping this site soon, with a feature to help like-minded folks connect where […]
Quote of the Day (Even Though Quotee is Dead)
January 11, 2010
Here’s what Gertrude Stein had to say even BEFORE the Internet and parenting books and product warning labels and cable news. Even before Twitter! “Everybody ndidedztbe gets so much information all day long that they lose their common sense.” True that!
Over the Moon Over “Over the Hedge”
January 11, 2010
Hey Readers! Check out today’s “Over nibkhdybfh the Hedge” comic — so wonderful on every level (even though reading it makes my tongue hurt). Thank you, oh Michael Fry and T Lewis!
For The (Lobotomized) New Parent Who Has Everything
January 9, 2010
Hi Folks and look! It’s the Itzbeen sfrdhdafah Baby Care Timer! How long has it been since you changed your baby? Don’t go by smell or wailing — so old hat. Simply check your batttery operated, Â pocket-size “Itzbeen.” It’ll tell you how long! Speaking of which: How long since you fed the little bugger? Don’t […]
The Bicycle/Three Sleeping Children Thief
January 8, 2010
Hi Readers! How the Danes must be puzzled by our abduction obsession. Here’s hzatbiazet what happened when a thief  in Copenhagen found a cargo bike outside a store and stole it — not realizing three kids were sleeping inside the big container-thing attached to the front.  Thanks to all of you who sent in this […]