Hi Readers! If you’re wondering what would make a great gift for your kids, or some other kids you love, how about giving them back time outside, and playdates that they make on their own, and the thrill of doing something — anything! — on their own? My book, Free-Range Kids, can help. (And it’s only $10.17! CLICK HERE!) If you’re wondering what it’s like, here’s the table of contents: THE FOURTEEN FREE RANGE COMMANDMENTS 1 KNOW WHEN TO WORRY Playdates and Axe Murderers: How To Tell The Difference 2 TURN OFF THE NEWS Go Easy On The ‘Law &…
Author: lskenazy
Hi Readers — I wholeheartedly endorse this note! Dear Free-Range Kids: Recently I started watching hours of “Law and Order SVU” (streaming live on Netflix for graduate students wanting to procrastinate!) and it’s really quite absurd to watch after a year of following your blog. The episodes where there is a child abduction or attempted abduction always involve some crazy sicko, and the parents are hysterical messes vowing never to let their child go anywhere alone again, etc. I have to say that, as I think about it, I cannot off the top of my head think of more the…
Hi Readers — Here you snow. er, go, from Scotland, via news.scotsman.com: CHILDREN have been banned from playing in the snow during break times at city schools due to health and safety fears. Pupils in some primaries have been kept inside during their morning and lunchtime breaks since the schools re-opened on Wednesday.The decision to stop the pupils playing in the snow has sparked criticism among parents, who believe it is “misguided” and is depriving children from enjoying the winter fun. One of the schools involved is James Gillespie’s Primary where the headteacher stopped youngsters going out on Wednesday and…
Good Morning, Readers: Wondering what to get those parents on your list? Dear Free-Range Kids: I thought you might be interested to see this. A local dentist was advertising this service. http://www.yoursafechild.com/parents-toothprintsr.html Now if your child’s body is found but so decomposed that it can’t be identified visually, you can use “toothprints” to record his/her dental records so he/she can be identified. It apparently also helps scent dogs track your child’s body to find it. This is really, really morbid. I can’t believe parents spend money on this kind of thing. The local police gave us a kit to fingerprint…
Hi Readers! Remember Santa John, the guy we were talking about here yesterday, fired for an “inappropriate” joke or two he told some ADULTS? Here’s the update, from a San Fran gal named Kathlin: I wanted to share some good news in reference to this story! It was on the news last evening that there was some real surprise and outrage in the community regarding this incident. “Santa John” has now been hired by a restaurant called “Lefty O’Douls” which is a tourist attraction right near “Macy’s”. And, get this…he has been hired at “TWICE HIS SALARY.” Apparently, he…
Hi Readers: Let kids eat dirt? Yes! At least, that’s my take-away from reading this thought-provoking article. It discusses the work of Emory neuroscientist Charles Raison, MD, who studies the link between cleanliness and depression. His hypothesis is that maybe young people are experiencing more asthma, allergies and even depression because they are less exposed to the benign germs that have been co-existing with and HELPING humans since the beginning of time. One way those microscopic “old friends” may help humans is by teaching the immune system not to overreact to other non-threatening germs and become inflamed. And there…
Hi Readers — A note from a friend, Mark Clark: “Lenore, is it too late to report a crime that first occurred in 1965 and is repeated every year? Charlie Brown’s parents allowed Charlie, and his buddy Linus, to go to the tree lot in their town UNACCOMPANIED BY ANY ADULT and purchase a tree for the school pageant. Where’s the vigilance? My God, won’t someone think of the children?” [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPG3zSgm_Qo] Not quite the right clip, but you get the idea.
Ho Ho Grrrrr, Readers: If I had a sleigh, I’d be on my way out to the Macy’s in San Fran which just sacked its beloved Santa, despite the fact he’d been doing the gig for 20 years. Some folks even made special trips just to visit the man known as “Santa John.” But then he did something unforgivable! According to this report in sfgate.com, he was booted after an adult couple complained about a joke he’d cracked: The joke has been in his Santa bag for decades. But after thousands of tellings, the 68-year-old retired caretaker for the elderly…
Oh Readers — I can’t take it. Look at this crazy “news” story from the Cortez Journal in Colorado: An unidentified man entered a high school. He used the bathroom, left and asked some students to give him a ride, which they did. Said the paper: No weapons were visible on the man, who was dressed in black, but he was carrying a black duffle bag, Cortez Police Department Chief Roy Lane said. Despite rumors, the man was not wearing a mask or anything to conceal his face, Lane said. No one was injured, and no property damage occurred. Is…
Hi Readers: Here’s one of many incensed folks who is slamming the parents who had left their baby in the car for a few seconds when along came a carjacker. (Video below.) The parents — right nearby — valiantly broke the window, climbed in and stopped the guy. But many commenters are saying SHAME ON THEM. They were “irresponsible” for being out of the car (which was left with its keys in the ignition, heat on) even a few feet away, for even a few seconds. Here’s one comment: The whole situation could have been avoided if they acted like…