Hi Readers — Here’s a dilemma almost every “good” parent will face at some point. Does it take just one, normal, harried parenting decision with ZERO consequences to make others find us BAD? Sometimes it seems the parenting path is narrow indeed. Dear Lenore: I am currently reading your book, am only about halfway, but I have to write and tell you my story. Even now, in relating this, I fear your judgment of my decisions. A part of me is thinking that you will read this and say “I’m all for Free-Range, but that was just plain dangerous of…
Author: lskenazy
Just when you thought Pedophile Panic couldn’t get any weirder comes this comment from a reader: A training document distributed at my church a few weeks ago for people who work with children actually tried to instruct in how to hug a child. The sentence said, “Remember: Side hugs are best.” Side hugs? How about being even a little safer and saying hi with a friendly elbow-to-elbow tap? Or quick pinky-to-pinky press? Or perhaps the “Heel Hello” — whereby two people meet backwards, heel to heel. That way there’s no accidental nipple grazing, either!
Hi Readers — Here’s a letter from a United Nations worker in Italy. Kinda puts our fears for our kids in perspective: Hi Lenore! UNICEF just published their 6th report on what the world is like for children. It is a scary one, but I would like to draw attention to what makes it scary for them. It is NOT: – The male teacher / Sunday school helper giving them a kiss (most of them would wish they had one that did give them a kiss) – Nor is it the dangerous homemade cupcake (many never even had…
Hi Readers! Here’s a list we could all learn from, sent in by a reader named Mike: I was definitely scared for my daughter, so I did a little research on how to keep her safe. These are the steps we’re taking: 1. No contact with any family members. Statistically speaking, they are the most dangerous. 2. No church, or religious groups. You think schools are a hotbed of pervy men? Try the church! 3. Never use the same babysitter more than once. If you’ve read about pedophiles “grooming” victims, you know…
Hi Readers: This is a GREAT column about a truly insane decision by a parent, a prosecutor, a judge and a jury. In other words, by modern day America. (It’s also a good way to remind your teens: Do NOT send sexy photos.) Read it and think how the Puritans are running the ship. — Lenore
Hi Readers — I’m all for walking to school but I never expected such a beautiful blog post about it. Thank you, Massachusetts mom o’ two, Karen Allendoerfer! WHERE WALKING GETS YOU by Karen Allendoerfer I am the PTO Walk-to-School Coordinator for my kids’ elementary school. I already have 2 kids, a full-time job, and a serious violin hobby, so I wasn’t exactly looking for another thing to put on my plate. But I started walking my daughter to school after the neighborhood carpool stopped working for me. I was done with frantically strapping kids 3 abreast…
Hi Readers — Yes, I know, most of us congregate here because we believe that kids don’t need quite as much bubblewrap as our society deems fit. But if you or someone you know believes that to let your children walk to school, or wait in the car while you get a gallon of milk, or sell Girl Scout cookies door to door means you will probably never see them again, a TV producer is waiting! Mostly, she wants someone to be the yin to my yang. If you’re interested, or know someone who is, email me at Lskenazy@gmail.com…
Just a reminder: All across the country (and world!) tomorrow, parents will be encouraging their kids to try a strange ancient practice called, “walking to school.” Perhaps it is time to reach back in into the hazy mists of time and try it in your neighborhood, too!
This ad gives me chills AND the creeps. Here’s what it says, in urgent, caring, chiding tones: You take the family to the food court. Your wife and Pete head for tacos. You and Danny want Chinese. You look up at the menu. You look down to see what Danny wants . But you don’t see Danny. Every parent knows that feeling. IMAGINE if he were actually abducted. To receieve free Amber Alerts on your cell phone go to wirelessamberalerts.com A child is calling for help. A child is calling to CHILL! This scenario — a child snatched from a…
Hi Readers! Ever wonder why we parents are so scared all the time? Maybe it has to do with the incessant din of marketers predicting DOOM unless we buy something. Something they just happen to be selling! Take a look at this blog post by Carolyn Graham, editor of L.A. Parent, and you’ll see the kiddie safety industrial complex in all its glory. This is an excerpt from Carolyn’s blog, “I Don’t Have Time for This.” WHO’S AFRAID? By CAROLYN GRAHAM Then today, I got to work and opened my email. It’s scary, and not just because there’s so many…