Hi nhrzyrabfk Readers! I am thrilled to present to you a post by David Pimentel, a professor of law and author of a scholarly article on how to keep overprotective parenting from becoming the law. As he writes in his abstract: …the powerful influence of media has sensationalized the risks to children, skewing popular perceptions of […]
Tag Archives | CPS
Wednesday, Prince Spaghetti Day, 2011 Version
Hi raktbeykyz Readers! I love this idea that one of you sent regarding the Prince Spaghetti commercial. Enjoy it and have a great weekend — I’m off to Toronto to film another episode of my show. Remember: We still need some overprotective families in Toronto and/or New York City. So far, all the families that […]
Don’t You Step on This Blue Swede (or her shoes)
Hi Readers — Forgive the belabored headline. Here’s nnkherhfbn a story one of you alerted us all to in the post below this one:  A Swedish woman left her baby outside a Massachusetts restaurant for 10 minutes while she ordered inside. Someone saw the boy, called the cops and the cops called Department of Child and Family […]
CPS Took My Kids Because I Don’t Hover
Hi rbhkrfzrrn Readers — A long, sad and infuriating story. Here goes: Dear Free-Range Kids: Â I noticed you sometimes talk about Child Protective Services (CPS) or other official intervention and Free-Range children. I have to admit, I did always wonder if I’d get in trouble for being the only mom who doesn’t wait at the […]
Two Stories You Won’t Hear on the News
Hi stsiynznyh Readers! Here you go! — L Dear Free-Range Kids: I live in a small town (less than 300 residents) in Southwest Pennsylvania,  and regardless of the image the local-ish news channels portray, it is VERY safe. I grew up in the house I am living in, my  parents live next door. The other […]
Outrage of the Week: Mom Ticketed for Letting Boy Walk to School
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 […]
OUTRAGE OF THE WEEK: Cops Threaten Mom for Letting Son Play Outside
Hi zyfbzkhfyi Readers! This mom, Kimberlee Morrison of kimleeisawesome, needs a pep talk from all of us — and perhaps some legal advice. You’ll see why. L. Dear Free-Range Kids: I’ve been warned. Literally. By the police. My son left the park, went to El Pollo Loco and asked for water. A stranger asked him […]
What The Authorities Can Do If We “Take Our Children to the Park…And Leave Them There”
Hi sisiseribt Readers — This essay is long, but so powerful it blew me away.  As we near May 22’s  “Take Our Children to the Park…and Leave Them There Day,” the author’s question is extremely relevant: What happens when WE believe our kids will be safe, but the authorities do not? Read on. And prepare […]
What The Authorities Can Do If We “Take Our Children to the Park…And Leave Them Thereâ€
Hi Readers — This essay is long, but so powerful it blew me away.  As we near May 22′s  ”Take Our Children to the Park…and Leave Them There Day,” the author’s question is extremely relevant: What happens when WE believe our kids will be safe, but the authorities do not? Read on. And prepare for […]
Outrage of the Week Update: Teacher Who Let Kids Climb Cliff on Trial
Hi Folks! Remember the case tyrhkdrake of Lia Grippo, the California mom who runs a day care center with a focus on nature? Her plight constituted our first Outrage of the Week. She let three of the kids in her care — two of them her own — climb a cliff while on a field trip […]