Nothing wrong with playing, chatting and creating online. But still — anyone else appalled by this ad? (And yes, we KNOW it’s not an ad for the National Park Service, or Boy Scouts, or the U.S. Rubber Ball Association, or …). . . .
Archive | 2017
Less Than A Year After “MUST DO” Baby Sleep Guidelines, The American Academy of Pediatrics Pulls a Switcheroo
Just try kbakyibhyb to figure out what the American Academy of Pediatrics and this spokeswoman are saying  in this Good Morning America interview about babies and their sleep. Apparently the AAP has reversed its stern directive which said that babies should be in the same room — but not the same bed — as their parents […]
Maryland’s “Free-Range Mom” Danielle Meitiv Throws Her Hat into the Ring
You know the old saying: When life hands you a CPS investigation (or two), make lemonade. That’s what Danielle Meitiv of Silver Spring, Maryland, is doing and we are thrilled! The famously Free-Range mom is running for Montgomery Country County Council Member at Large, she told us, “to make this county the best place it […]
U.S. House Passes Bill that Would Subject Teen Sexters to 15 Years’ Mandatory Minimum
This snzeeihezf article by Elizabeth Nolan Brown at Reason (a site I write for, too) is a must-read: House Overwhelmingly Supports Bill Subjecting Teen Sexters to 15 Years in Federal Prison Nolan writes (boldface mine): Teens who text each other explicit images could be subject to 15 years in federal prison under a new bill […]
When Helping Your Kid on the Slide Is the OPPOSITE of Helpful
A mom, a toddler, a slide. A mom named Kara ebbzekiabt wrote this on the CityMoms blog about a day she was spending with her 18-month-old at the park: This was not the first day we had gone down the slide together, either. I had done it before at other parks and probably several times at […]
UNITED AIRLINES: Stop Infantilizing Teens (And Maybe Win a Few Public Relations Points)
Not kksrenaeyi to pile on United. But… Â . Dear Free-Range Kids: Â AARGH!!!! Â . Can you please do a piece on unaccompanied minors policies? I’m having the most frustrating day trying to get my 15 year old to his academic summer camp in July. We live in Vancouver, Canada and his camp is in Atlanta, Georgia. […]
A Peek Into a Free-Range Dad / Helicopter Mom’s Divorce
This fbshkrykhb cascade of emails between a Free-Range dad and his more helicopter ex-wife is difficult to read. But over the years, many readers have written to me about the same kind of issue, so perhaps there’s some comfort in realizing this is not uncommon. I have changed the names.  . Dear Free-Range Kids:  I […]
A Mom Traveling With Kids — And the Older Lady Who Put Her 2 Cents In
A note for anyone traveling with kids or around any kids who are traveling! Dear hybzzfhkzz Free-Range Kids: Had the usual shenanigans travelling with the kids yesterday. After 45 minutes waiting for our luggage in a hot, busy baggage hall the kids were bouncing off the walls. I was desperately trying to keep them entertained […]
Middle Schoolers Whose Bus Drove by a Dead Body 50 Feet Away Are Offered Counseling
After a bus full of middle schoolers in Raytown, Missouri, drove past a person dead from suicide about 50 feet away, the principal did what principals feel they must do in the wake of anything. She sent a letter home. . Among kbtkfnhsnf the suggestions to parents, regarding their kids: “Provide positive, non-violent activities to […]
The Lonely Refrigerator
Just a thought about a cultural artifact: Dear bsyahsfheh Free-Range Kids: As I walked my dog this evening, I saw that my neighbors had placed an old refrigerator on their lawn with a “free” sign attached to it. At first I thought, “Those doors need to be removed!”  or “Those doors need to be chained […]