Hi Readers — Kwasi Enin, a Long Island, NY, high school senior who got into all the Ivies credits rzdadbnyey his “helicopter parents” for pushing him to excel. So does this mean that helicopter = success and, possibly, Free-Range = failure? Of course I don’t think so. Here’s why. 1 Â – First is the fact […]
Archive | Helicopter Effect on Kids
HELP NEEDED: “I Want to Stop Smothering My Kids But Don’t Know How”
Hey Readers — This piece hihakeryyh on the Huffington Post  is by a mom, Rebecca Cuneo Keenan, who is rarin’ to let her 8-year-old son Free-Range…but can’t: I’ve been reading about helicopter versus free range parenting for years now. I’ve been hearing about how our kids are being raised on back-lit screens and shuttled from one scheduled activity […]
Take the “No Snacks” Challenge!
Readers — I love this efasrtsiba post by a gal named Karen Perry who came up with this great modern-day challenge after thinking back and realizing: I don’t have ANY memories of my mom ever stepping foot in the park let alone laying down a blanket with a variety of snacks for me to nibble […]
Attn. Ben Sherwood, Jeff Zucker, Joshua Sapan & Other TV Execs: My Reality Show Needs a Home!
Folks — Below is a 1-minute taste of the 13-part reality show I host, “World’s knnsfeynkb Worst Mom.” It’s like The Supernanny, except instead of dealing with out-of-control KIDS I deal with PARENTS and their out-of-control worries — like the mom who would only let her son stand on his skateboard on the lawn and […]
CPS and Free-Range Parents
Readers etbdyedkbi — This comes to us from one of my favorite thinker/writer/lawyers: David Pimentel. In 2012 he wrote the wonderful piece, “Child Neglect and the Free-Range Parent: Is Overprotective Parenting the New Standard of Care?“Â Alas, in some legal ways, it is. Now he’visiting the issue of what happens when Child Protective Services believes Free-Range […]
How Come Yesterday’s Free-Range Moms are Today’s Helicopter Grandmas?
Readers, naidyryrbh this comes up often: terrified grandmas who were fearless moms (or at least feared less): Dear Free-Range Kids: Funny thing about my mother… I was very much raised Free-Range. From the time I was six or so, I left the house in the morning, returned for lunch, and then got called home after […]
Whose Idea Was it That Children are Fragile and Stupid?
Readers — Over and over I keep realizing how grateful kids are when we lean OUT of their lives a little and let them show us how competent they really are. I love this letter! – L. Dear Free-Range Kids: I stumbled on your site when a backpacking guide friend asked me what approach she […]
Swiss Mom Can’t Understand Helicopter Parents — and Schools
Readers — One of the things I try to explain in my talks, bfbkektfai book and blog is that some present-day parenting practices (and laws) that just seem “wise†now will be considered downright detrimental in the future, or are considered weird NOW in other places. For instance: Dear Free-Range Kids: I can’t thank you enough! […]
Spy on Your Kids Or They Will Be in Danger
Readers — As you know, the government has been spying on us all, from plebes to prime ministers. But National Security Agency agents look like pikers compared with plain old American parents, who are being encouraged to treat their kids as enemy agents whose every move must be observed, tracked, tapped or taped. It’s all […]
What It Feels Like to Finally Be Allowed to Walk to the Ice Cream Store at 12
Readers — There is something poignant, sweet, weird and wonderful about what you’re about to read. Remember it when friends say they can’t possibly go Free-Range because it’s too scary. – L. Dear Free-Range Kids: Back in ’09 I read your book, and allowed my boys to walk to get ice-cream for the first time. […]