Hi Folks! It is so rare that you see an article like this that I have to share it here. If you’re wondering about the relevance (and I bet you aren’t) just substitute “axe-murderer” for “shark.” – L The number of shark attack deaths in Texas is staggering by Eric Berger (“The Science Guy”) Staggeringly low, that is. There have been two in the last century. People simply have a ridiculously irrational fear of shark attacks. In the last six years there have been a total of six shark attacks along Texas beaches, none fatal of course. How many millions…
Author: lskenazy
Readers — Yes, this study happens to be about fire ants, but it struck me as hugely metaphoric. I think you’ll see why! — L. Fear of predators may be a bigger killer than the predators themselves (PhysOrg.com) — When biologists consider the effects that predators have on their prey, they shouldn’t just count the number of individuals consumed. According to a University of Rhode Island ecologist, they must also examine the effects of fear. URI Assistant Professor Evan Preisser said that fear of being eaten can reduce population densities as much or even more than the actual quantities of…
Readers — I didn’t know what to suggest to this dad, so please weigh in! — L. Dear Free-Range Kids: I’m writing to share what happened to my daughter and me last night and to ask you and/or your readers for suggestions on how to handle this situation if it happens again. I’m a white father to two 7-year-old black girls. Yesterday evening, one of them was walking the dog with me when a woman stopped her car, got out, and walked toward us. “Excuse me,” she said, pointing back and forth to me and my daughter, “but this is…
Readers — This is an incredibly heartening story from England where, about five years ago, Alice Ferguson and her neighbor Amy Rose petitioned to close off a local street for three hours one evening. Guardian reporter Sarah Lewis Hammond quotes Ferguson saying: “It was as if it was something they did every day. The adults started reminiscing about childhood memories of playing out we all said that this should be a normal part of our lives.” The result was not just a day of play, but a whole campaign — Playing Out. Playing Out was too good an idea not…
Readers — As I write on the Reason blog today, Scotland is beginning to assign every child, from birth to 18, a “named person” — that is, a state-appointed guardian. The program will be nationwide by 2016. Each “named person” will be privy to the child’s health, school and other records. If they don’t like what they see, well — that’s what they’re there for. To intervene. As one parent interviewed by NO2NP, the “Say No to the Named Persons” movement, said,”I love my child better than anyone else and so for the Government to tell me that I needed…
Readers: Remember, whenever considering any childhood activity, no matter how innocuous, first think about how TERRIBLE you’d feel if it ended up a tragedy from which your children (if they survive) NEVER RECOVER. Then go ahead and decide if you think they should do it. Here’s a lovely example of that worst-first thinking, below. It’s from a blog called Frontline Moms & Dads. A similar post, “Why My Family Doesn’t Do Sleepovers” is going viral and appears here. I am often asked by parents about how to handle child sleepovers in their family. To even broach this subject can sometimes…
Readers, in truth, I originally thought I had to boil tap water for my kids’ bottles. Then my pediatrician said nope — we live in the First World. Rejoice and let the kids guzzle. But since there is no easier dollar to extract than that from the wallet of a new parent, an Australian company is now peddling Bebi Infant Suitable Water, “quality, ready to drink baby water that can be stored at room temperature.” Water that doesn’t go bad at room temp? Imagine that! Bebi Infant Suitable Water offers you the same protection as boiling your water; but at…
Readers, I think we need some good news for this lovely summer weekend. So: Dear Free-Range Kids: I think the subject title says it all! Last year, I was despairing of a summer stuck to my son’s side because he wouldn’t leave our yard alone. This summer he has gone to 2 different parks within walking distance of our home… alone! He came home after an hour of playing and told me that he felt “so grown up!” The smile of pride on his face was worth the wait! While at the park, there was only a guy mowing…
Readers — I guess what’s good about the Internet is that we hear about all these crazy stories, including this one, wherein a Blanchester, OH, boy, 8, was supposed to get on the bus to church, but played hooky instead and was later found at the devil’s favorite stomping ground, the local Family Dollar. (I, too, cannot stay on the straight and narrow when seduced by $1 sponges, socks and hair doodads.) “Police were called,” says the story, and the boy, Justin Williamson, ostensibly claimed he didn’t know where he lived. Which sounds like an 8-year-old trying to forestall the…
Readers, This comes to us from Nancy McDermott, the brilliant essayist I often turn to when I feel some parenting advice seems weird but I can’t quite figure out why. She also sent along the video you’ll love, below. So here’s an idea: Instead of feeling guilty for not making every moment “teachable” in the school sense, let’s remember there’s a whole lot of interacting that is at least as valuable as another Berenstain Bear book. – L READ TO YOUR CHILD — FROM BIRTH! by Nancy McDermott Imagine, it’s your baby’s first check up. She spends most of her…