Hi yskdtetayd Readers! In response to my downer about dealing with a tsunami of media “What If?”s, here’s one woman’s note answer to: What happens when you, with some slight hesitation, let your child go outside on her own? Dear Lenore: I understand your anxiety, and can only join the chorus of those saying please, […]
Archive | Creating Community
“Take Our Children to the Park…& Leave Them There Day” Are You In?
Hi Readers — May 22, a week from this Saturday, is the very first “Take Our Children to the Park…And Leave Them There Day.” The idea behind it is simple: Most of us want our children to play outside and have fun, but this is impossible because there aren’t any OTHER kids outside for our […]
Overprotection Begins with City Planning
Hi atyrsehrsf Readers — This comment came in response to the blog post below, regarding a Minnesota community up in arms about an Alzheimer’s facility moving in. The people there are worried for their children’s sake. Ironically, it is when we try to make a neighborhood unneighborly that we all suffer. Voila: Dear Free-Range Kids:Â The […]
More News of Tide Turning! Two Girls Make Own Playdate!
Hi efnkzarsaf Readers! This just in! Yes, it is the tale of an extremely normal childhood moment, but in this day and age it counts as Big News! Â Ring the bells, hoist a juice box and read on! Dear Free-Range Kids:Â I had a Free-Range victory yesterday as well! My 8-year-old daughter (third grade) has a […]
ANNOUNCING MAY 22: “TAKE OUR CHILDREN TO THE PARK…AND LEAVE THEM THERE DAY”
Hi Readers : You read it here first! Free-Range Kids is officially declaring Saturday, May 22 — the weekend before Memorial Day– the very first, “Take tdiibffisi Our Children to the Park… And Leave Them There Day.” What?! Just that. If our goal is to get kids back outside (it is), and playing together (it […]
Ho Ho HOA! A Happy Kids ‘n Homeowners Story!
Hi fenzteeynn Readers! Here’s a nice story for a Sunday. Enjoy! Dear Free-Range Kids: Due to a recent bankruptcy and divorce my four children (ages 6-14) and I moved from our home of 10 years (great neighborhood) into a small group of very upscale townhomes. We are renting. IÂ didn’t see much evidence of children around […]
Ski-Range Kids?
Hi nefiaebezt Readers — Here’s a nice little letter from the slopes! Dear Free-Range Kids: I wanted to share a wonderful experience I had this weekend. I was skiing at a local Colorado resort called Eldora Mountain, about a half hour outside of Boulder. When skiing it is common practice for “single” skiiers (those skiing […]
40 Ways for Kids to Volunteer!
Hey Readers! This just came in over the transom (okay, over email):  A lovely nianntzftz list of really great ideas for how to get kids volunteering. For instance: Take shelter dogs for a walk. Babysit to help a single parent.  Form a clean-up crew to go in and help a senior clean her apartment.  And so many […]
Who Says Mayberry Is Dead?
Hi sydsanheet Readers! Clearly, that TV town of uber-neighborliness lives on — if you let it. This mom did. Read on! Dear Lenore: I just finished your book. Before I found your it and your website, I thought my husband and I were the last sane parents standing. We bought our house while still in our […]
Prisoner of the Playdate: Let’s Help This Mom!
Hi rfnztdrrtf Readers — Here’s today’s yelp for help from the frontiers of modern parenting. Got any great ideas? Share ’em! Â Meantime, as to her plea, “How can I find other Free-Range parents in the neighborhood?” I really do hope to be revamping this site soon, with a feature to help like-minded folks connect where […]