Hi Readers: So here’s a “helpful” article on how to keep our kids safe from predators. It cites the oft-repeated notion that when we make our kids hug or kiss relatives, the kids get the message that from now on they must submit to any and all skeevy and revolting requests adults make of them. To me this seems like a giant leap. I never liked kissing my aunts and I sure hated the lipstick smudges they’d leave on my cheeks, but I don’t think that gave me an, “I guess from now on I’m jailbait” mentality, either. This just…
Author: lskenazy
Hi Readers — This comment came in from a 16-year-old. Seems to frame the problem of overprotection and parental fear pretty darn well. Read on! Dear Free-Range Kids: Tell me about it. Kids need more freedom and less worry. I live in a neighborhood where the violent crime rate is a small decimal. It’s a safe, cushy suburban neighborhood. The last violent crime happened because someone was mentally disturbed, a few years ago. My friend’s mom wouldn’t let her go on a walk at 8pm on a Saturday with a group of 4 friends (several of whom were trained in…
Hey Readers! Great to see this ebdydhdsif post about “Take Our Children to The Park…And Leave Them There Day” on Lisa Belkin’s New York Times blog, Motherlode. The ball starts rolling! Get set for May 22! Spread the word! — L.
Hi Readers! Today is officially “Take Our Sons & Daughters to Work Day.” And here is an official memo from one reader’s employer: Parents are cautioned to be mindful of the safety of their children and limit their exposure at work to job-shadowing which could include: permitting the young observers to attend a meeting, encouraging them to interview office workers (who volunteer) about their jobs, demonstrating use of special equipment (not including equipment which could be harmful such as paper shredders, cutters or staplers), and allowing them to participate in hands-on activities appropriate to age and skill levels. ” As…
Hi Readers! Just got this wonderful little clip from The Big Bang Theory (which happens to be my older son’s favorite show. Yes, even Free-Rangers end up watching some TV.) It’s all about what happens when a stranger talks to a kid. Sheldon, the main character, is — as you will soon see — socially awkward. Enjoy! — Lenore (who thanks Lin for sending this in!)[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhWoFUpzYLM]
Hi Readers — Get this: It was in Canada! The Royal Canadian Mounted Police received a couple of calls from someone angry that the boys were playing on the street, and came over to break it up. And I always thought kids up there were REQUIRED to play street hockey! Well times they are a-changing. It’s also ironic that when you click dshanertnb to read the story, you will find it running under a banner ad for an “Obesity Panacea.” Hey, I’ve got one! How about….street hockey? — Lenore
Hi Readers — Guess I shouldn’t be surprised, but when a blog called The Neighborhood Crime Map did what seemed like a very even-handed little post about May 22’s “Take Our Children to the Park…And Leave Them There Day,” the reaction was swift and hysterical: “Is there not a culture of drug use, meanness, and violence even among kids themselves, trained by TV, movies and school cultures? This should at very least be negligence per se. To announce it publicly for benefit of predators is criminal,” said one. “What about food, water, and restrooms. What happens when a fight breaks…
Hi Readers — This is the blog that started the book that came out in hardcover a year ago and debuts in paperback today! With a new intro and even a new subtitle! Now it’s, dbizaefnft “Free-Range Kids: How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children (Without Going Nuts with Worry).” CRITICS RAVE! “Skenazy will find plenty of supporters for her contention that, in a world where the rights of chickens to roam freely are championed, it’s time to liberate the kids.” —The Wall Street Journal “A bubbly but potent corrective for the irrational fears that drive so many parents crazy.” —Robert…
Hi Readers! In the category of “overkill” and “probably not representative of the culture as a whole, but still instructive,” and “wacko!” here’s an amazing post from the blog Doctor Grumpy in the House: A dad (Dr. Grumpy, I presume) was dropping off his daughter at a friend’s house for a sleepover when the mom halted him. She demanded he sign a legal waiver promising he would not sue for over any injuries Marie might sustain in the course of a “normal slumber party” (whatever the hell that is). Fill out a form listing what ER I wanted her taken…
Hi Readers — I was just going to tweet this, but it’s such a cool story, I’m providing the link here. A high school in Naperville, Illinois is holding gym class first period for some kids who struggle with academics. The idea is: Switch on the body and the brain switches on, too. And even in the classrooms there are bikes and balls. (Stationary bikes, that is. Otherwise, I’m not quite sure how much learning the kids would stick around for.) The program has been running (so to speak) for five years and the students in it are now reading…