Tag Archives | freedom

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Why Are Millennials So Afraid of Freedom? I Think We Know

An extremely insightful and rather frightening op-ed idksbniybt in yesterday’s New York Times looks at why Millennials are “so wary of freedom.” It’s by Clay Routledge, a professor of psychology at North Dakota State University, and it cites stats about how the younger generation is less convinced that democracy or free speech are good ideas.  […]

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Help Needed: Mom Seeks Free-Range Children’s Book Suggestions

Folks rnsddfkdrs — Something to ponder on a Sunday: . Dear Free-Range Kids: As a Free-Range parent living in England, I look to classic children’s literature for inspiration and confidence about giving my sons the freedom to be children, exploring and having adventures on their own.  I thought I would pass along a suggestion to […]

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Why American Kids Will Not Rule the World

Why American Kids Will Not Rule the World

Hi tzhsydibys Readers! Christine Gross-Loh’s articles on HuffPo have been generating a lot of attention — with reason. She’s great! Thanks to her global perspective, she can attest that the worry and hovering so common in America represent a distinct and unusual type of parenting, not just the “instinct” many here feel it is. Meantime, […]

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The Kidnapped Girls in Cleveland: Horrifying and Rare

Readers — Like the rest of you, I am shaken by the story of yznhkkrazd the three young women held hostage in Cleveland for years. Like you, I’m guessing, this brings up other stories — of Elizabeth Smart, Jaycee Dugard.  I hope you will understand I am not dishonoring their trauma by trying to keep […]

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Mary Leakey, Free-Range Mom

Mary Leakey, Free-Range Mom

Hi Folks! My friend Ellen just sent me dkrkiehykt this wonderful story from the Christian Science Monitor by Lisa Suhay about the intrepid Mary Leakey and her kids. It begins: Today’s helicopter parents might want to explore the parenting techniques of famed paleoanthropologist Mary Leakey, whose birth 100 years ago is celebrated today. Instead of hovering […]

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Caution and Free-Ranging go hand-in-frozen-hand.

A Free-Range Kid Falls Through Thin Ice: The Lesson?

Hi htesytybkd Readers — This note had me shaking, a reminder that when we give our kids more and more freedom, we have to remember that lessons go with it…and so does the possibility that we didn’t cover the very lesson they’ll need. My advice? Lots of lessons (particularly about being around water), not less […]

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A Sweet, Simple Free-Range Success Story

A Sweet, Simple Free-Range Success Story

Hi tenbynabtr Folks! In the midst of all the usual nuttiness, let’s celebrate a nice little moment, courtesy of a  mom of four in Nebraska. You’ll note, she takes a lot of precautions because this was a first. Eventually, she won’t need them and neither will her kids because they’ll all be more confident and […]

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Guest Post: Free-Range…in a Group Home

Hi fatsadesty Readers — Here’s a guest post from Darell Hammond, founder and CEO of KaBOOM!, a very cool, national nonprofit trying to ensure a playground within walking distance of every child. Hammond is also author of the New York Times bestselling book, KaBOOM!: How One Man Built a Movement to Save Play. So read this […]

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Two Stories You Won't Hear on the News

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 […]

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“Anything Could Happen!”

Hi ykksiytrft Readers! To get the blood flowing this Monday morn: Dear Free-Range Kids: I got a random issue of a parenting magazine in the mail. I don’t subscribe, but I guess it’s a teaser issue to try to drag me in.  There’s a Q&A feature in which a mother asked if it was okay […]

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