Readers kkhskssfsa — This letter comes to us from a mom in Alberta, Canada, who is giving me a lot of hope. Change can be swift and, since it makes everyone happier, lasting. . Meantime, this intro  comes to you from Vienna, where I just flew in (arms tired, etc.) to give a talk tomorrow […]
Tag Archives | suburb
Oh No! A Hostel Near a Day Care Center???
Readers – An area of Alexandria, VA, a suburb of D.C., is debating whether to allow a  hostel to open near, among other things, some day care centers. As the reader who sent us this nzirsdiadk news story wrote, “To hear some of the comments, you’d think they were planning to build a gun store/brothel/drug den!” Notes the […]
Most Scathing Student Body President Letter Ever
Hi ndbnddnyen Readers! This letter is a gauntlet thrown down by the student body president in Chappaqua, N.Y., a suburb so lovely it’s where the Clintons moved after the White House. (And apparently they have loved it!) I wish the letter had a few more details and of course, I do not know the administration’s […]
A Child Visitor to America Asks: “Where Are All The Kids?”
Hi snkikshzrd Readers — This note was originally a comment on the post below this one. Its poignancy hit me particularly hard because today’s New York Times has a piece by Jane Brody – “Communities Learn Good Life Can be a Killer” – about the effect of sprawl on health, autonomy and, of course,  childhood. I’m not sure […]
Help Needed: A Friendly Kid, a Scolding Neighbor
Hi syifsesrzi Readers! Can you help this mom? L. Dear Free-Range Kids: I’ve been reading your blog and readers’ comments for better than a year now. Never really thought I’d have an experience similar to the ones I read about on your blog, but yesterday it happened. My children are nearly-5 (boy) and 3.5 (girl). […]
Free Range FAIL
Hi fiyridkknf Readers! Ah well — it doesn’t always work out as planned.  Read on: Dear Free Range Kids:    One of my friends is a stay at home mom and went to a play group where your book was discussed. One of the moms in the group decided to let her 8-year-old son spread his […]
“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 […]