Hi Folks — As I wrote to the publicist who sent me this pitch: ” How does knowing my kid is out on a field in the middle of a tornado give me ‘piece’ of mind?” Here’s what she had sent me: Dear Lenore: Before leaving for work this morning, you recall hearing something on the news about severe weather. You can’t seem to shake the worry as thoughts about your loved ones rush in. The worry pops into mind again as you’re walking down the hall at work. As you approach an office window, a faint yet familiar sound…
Author: lskenazy
Yes, readers, it’s another case of child protective craziness. According to theManchester, Conn. Patch, a local mom was charged with “risk of injury to a minor and failure to appear after police say she allowed her seven-year and 11-year old children to walk down to Spruce Street to buy pizza unsupervised.” And according to reader Bob who sent this to us, Google Maps shows that we are talking about a half-mile walk! In addition to the solidarity of outrage, please post your ideas for how to protest the idea that kids are in danger every time they do something on…
Hi Folks — I sure liked him! Liked what he’s all about! — L. Dear Free-Range Kids: I wanted to share a great interaction we had this past Saturday with a Free-Range Kid. My son and daughter-in-law were moving from their apartment, and while we were over there packing and taking boxes and furniture down the U-haul truck, a 9-year-old boy and his little sister stopped by and asked if they could help. The little sister took a couple of small things down to the truck, but quickly lost interest. Her brother spent 4 hours with us,…
Hi Folks — I love this exchange on Facebook about kids and bruises! Wrote one mom: I brought my 5 year old son to the dentist yesterday and she was amazed to see that he has scratches and bruises. She said she never really sees those kinds of small injuries on kids nowadays because they play inside all day. What is happening to childhood in this country that seeing a scratch or small bruise on a 5 year olds shins is something out of the ordinary? When I was a kid my knees were always scraped and my shins were…
Hey Folks — The Hallmark Channel is or — since I can’t seem to find a 2012 hint of it — WAS having a Funny Sign Contest, and this one is their poster boy. LOVE it. – L
Hi Folks! Here’s a lovely letter about an organization I don’t hear much about, living in New York City. But it sounds just great! — L. Dear Free-Range Kids: I just got finished helping to enter one of my kids in the local 4-H fair. She will be showing ducks and geese and it is a sun-up to sun-down committment for the whole week. At the end is a form that she had to read and agree to: I believe that my participation in the Open, 4-H and FFA programs should demonstrate my own ability, knowledge and skill…
Hi Folks! Last year I went to a lecture by Tina Sharkey, the CEO of BabyCenter, and one point she made that really resonated was this: If you want to sell something to moms, SAFETY is the magic word. That explains why I found it in this ad: [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bsdPU2-8oY4] If you’ve seen any other ads that manage to promise safety in a product that IS and ALWAYS WAS safe already, let me know! – L. (bumbling her way into the world of vlogging and didn’t want to give away the entire idea in the post or the video would…
Hi Readers — What a story! The boys traveled by themselves, over a thousand miles, to meet the President. Okay, so it happened in 1910. Still, what a great reminder of what kids are CAPABLE of ! And today we dither about sending them to play at the park before dinner! Jeez Louise — let’s get a little perspective! Here’s the Wikipedia entry about the amazing Abernathy boys — Louis and Temple: Louis (sometimes styled Louie) Abernathy was born in Texas in 1899 and Temple Abernathy was born in 1904 in Tipton, Oklahoma. Their father was cowboy and U.S. Marshal…
Hi Folks — This observation struck me as, “Oh my gosh, YES!” It may do the same for you. — L. Dear Free-Range Kids: During my daily travels, I pass by several different schools. I’ve noticed a theme when reading their billboards once school is out. Instead of wishing students a fun-filled summer, every single school billboard says, “Have a Safe Summer!” Isn’t that a strange phenomenon? The more I thought about it, the more ridiculous it seemed. Is summer dangerous? Silly me, I’ve always equated summer with late bedtimes, fireflies, sprinklers, friends and FUN. Never once when returning to…
Hi Folks! Here’s this weekends thought to chew on, from frequent commenter Kenny Felder: Dear Free-Range Kids: I’m not sure how many readers will see the connection between this story [the lifeguard fired for trying to save a man beyond his official area] and Free-Range issues, but it is huge. A lot of the problems we’re running into come when people worry about insurance and lawsuits, and dress up those financial fears in “safety” clothing. . At my high school, for instance, we spend a staggering amount of time and money lining up parent volunteers to drive our students to…