Readers — This story speaks for itself (as does the son!). It comes to us from Aimee Turner, who says she and her husband are “happy to know we aren’t alone in the fight against BWCS: Bubble-Wrapped Child Syndrome.” She blogs at The Maine Page Turner . – L. Dear Free-Range Kids:This summer, instead of going to municipal rec camp (daily, highly supervised….. and so “safe” that it’s kind of boring), we talked with our spunky and independent 12-yr-old son about what he might enjoy better. So this summer he is taking daily group tennis lessons as well as…
Author: lskenazy
Readers — Just had to put this on the blog. HAD to. — L. Dear Free-Range Kids: Ok, slightly off topic, but related to the whole walking thing — my niece at age 4 wanted a big party for her 5th birthday. But they had just moved to a new neighborhood. So she went around to all of the houses on her block (without her mother’s knowledge), and invited everyone who had a kid to her “party”. Apparently, not only was she incredibly charming (no surprise I say, as her auntie), she told everyone the same date and time.…
Folks — What age do you think kids can safely start walking to school? I’d say age 7, because that’s the age in a lot of the rest of the world. Which is not to say younger is dangerous — I walked to kindergarten in the suburban Chicago of way-back-when. Must’ve been five. I’m just wondering if we can agree that, even if we squabble about younger ages, by seven kids are certainly ready — yes? Meantime, I give you this note from Ajax, Canada (actually a town where I filmed my TV show!). — L. * * * Dear…
Readers — This comes to us from a woman named Rita, who was reading the post, “The Man Who Abused Me Is Not on the Sex Offenders List (The One Who Saved Me Is).” At first, she asked me not to run it. But I found it so thoughtful, I asked her to reconsider, and she did! Dear Free-Range Kids: I don’t want to stir up a major hornet’s nest, but one of the things that has been more and more disturbing to me as I read posts such as this, and others regarding sex offender registries, as well as…
Hi Folks! Today we feature the musings of Jennifer Clarke, who describes herself as “a professional who went back to school at 25 for a Bachelor of Engineering and wishes her mother had been less involved in her life as a teenager.” – L Subject: Witch Burnings and Litigation A long time ago people would blame bad events on the spirits that needed to be appeased. Then the bad events were blamed that needed to be burned. Now bad events are blamed on people/companies that need to be sued.I think it all comes from the same root. Humans are…
Hey Readers — One of the things we talk about here is distrust of strangers, and of men in particular. This amazing story about an unmarried man in his late 30s moving into what sounds like a “family” neighborhood is so wonderful that all I can say is: Read it. And also: Let’s try to do something like this in our own lives: Connect. And here I have to brag. The other night, my younger son, now 15, was coming home from a Mets game by (what else?) subway. He and his friends had stayed so late, they were still…
Hey — is this sanity I see appearing in the comments on this post?A mom screams at the ice cream man to bug off and folks weigh in sounding like…us! Feeling kind of positive! — L Well, maybe THIS guy is a little creepy, but in general…
Readers — Here are two recent gems from my mailbox. I hope you can take a deep breath and summon the courage needed to face these gigantic problems. Try to be strong! – L. Hi Lenore, Hope all is well! I wanted to send along a story idea that’d be great for your readers. [Really? MY readers?] As the school year winds down and kids get ready for summer vacation, it’s important for parents to know how they can help them re-adjust their schedules to accommodate the lazy days of longer sunlight, hot temperatures and staying up late. [Yes, how…
Hi Readers! If you are not one of the 44 million folks who have already seen this video, enjoy! If you are ARE one of the 44 mill, enjoy again! – L.
Folks, this is a long essay, but one I’m proud to share, as I continue to believe the Sex Offender Registry is not keeping kids any safer, and yet it is ruining a lot of lives. It comes to us from Shana Rowan, executive director of USA FAIR, Inc. (USA Families Advocating an Intelligent Registry), a nonprofit group founded by family members of people required to register. As Shana says, “USA FAIR promotes intelligent, fact-based sex offender laws and shines a light on the collateral damage imposed on loved ones of registrants.” A noble goal. – L. MY ABUSER,…