Hi yhybshzhte Readers! This just in from the middle of the country, where delusional do-gooders dwell: Dear Free-Range Kids: Greetings! I live in Lincoln NE, which is a fairly level headed community for the most part. I was reminded of this yet again recently with an incident involving my wife… Parking is nuts at our […]
Tag Archives | car
Welcome, Wall Street Journal Readers!
Hi irsfafatsb Readers — All of you, including the new ones who caught my piece in today’s Wall Street Journal. It was all about the fact that so few kids are walking to school these days — about one in ten. And here’s a note that sums up the whole craziness: Dear Free-Range Kids: Â My […]
What Could Happen to Your Kid in the Car While You Pay For Gas?
Hi Readers — Over at Parentdish I wrote a rttnriyeay column saying that sometimes you CAN leave your child in the car for a few minutes while you run in to pick up a pizza or pay for gas. Yes, crack the windows. Yes, take out the keys. Yes, always keep your purse or wallet […]
Do Those “Family Stickers” on Cars Lure Creeps?
Hi Readers — Here’s a iatstfabin piece I wrote for ParentDish about “Annie’s Mailbox” (which seems to be filled with nuts). The question — or really statement by an Annie reader was — “Don’t put those little decals on your car that say your family members’ names or you will be followed by predators.”  To […]
What If We Feared EVERYTHING The Way We Fear Predators?
Hey etiffsneed Readers — Here’s a comment that came in the other day in response to a woman who is very wary of stranger danger. I liked its logic: Dear Amy (the woman who was consumed with predator fear): I can sort of see where you’re coming from, but take a logical approach. There’s a […]
Boy, 11, Saves Family! (So Why Won’t Many Folks Let 11-y.o.s Babysit?)
Hi Readers! Here’s a terrifying rtfnahfitz but wonderful story of what happened when a mom going about 55 miles an hour suddenly blacked out  — with her three kids in the car. Thank goodness one was a very smart, quick-thinking young man. Let’s remember the things our kids are capable of instead of treating them […]
“I Endangered My Children!”
Hi sysrnnfyen Readers — I am hearing so much about “Can I ever EVER leave my child in the car?” lately that I thought I’d share this note that just came in from a sane and loving mom. Voila: Dear Free-Range Kids: I thought of you today as I was standing in Papa Murphy’s waiting […]
Hey Kids! What To Do If You Are Trapped in A Trunk by Your Local Madman!
Hi Readers: As a Free-Range parent I believe in preparing kids to be independent and safe. Just as we teach them to “Stop, drop and roll!” in the unlikely event they’re ever on fire, it makes sense to teach them to yell, kick and run in the equally unlikely event some creep tries to grab […]
Yay! Another Car Story — But Much Happier!
Hi Readers — When you get right down to it, a lot of Free-Range Kids ends up being a plea for more community. More helping each other, more trusting each other, even more hanging out with each other. And here is a story of just that: A brief glimpse of how nice it is when […]
Kids Aren’t In Danger Every Time They Wait in the Car!
Hi dzbkkfefkt Readers! Yes, here is another “I left my kid in the car for a sec” story. Why? Because I am astounded to find commenters even here on Free-Range Kids berating the parents who make this sane, safe choice when circumstances call for it. These parents are not leaving their children in active volcanos. […]