Readers — I gotta go cook a turkey, but meantime, look enifrrksey at this. The REASON this Cleveland elementary school is making Chapstick contraband is that kids might SHARE it: Parents were afraid that children would share the Chapstick and spread germs,” [schools spokeswoman] Sessoms said. “By requiring written permission from the parents, parents would […]
Archive | Infantilizing young folk
How Do You Change a Lily-Livered School?
November 16, 2010
Hi aaaebnehkk Readers — Here’s another plea from a Free-Ranger trapped in a helicoptering vise. Do you have any suggestions that have worked at your school? Please share them! — L. Dear Free-Range Kids: Something terrible has happened at our school. I wrote to you a while ago about how wonderfully free our village kids […]
OUTRAGE OF THE WEEK: Cops Threaten Mom for Letting Son Play Outside
November 10, 2010
Hi zyfbzkhfyi Readers! This mom, Kimberlee Morrison of kimleeisawesome, needs a pep talk from all of us — and perhaps some legal advice. You’ll see why. L. Dear Free-Range Kids: I’ve been warned. Literally. By the police. My son left the park, went to El Pollo Loco and asked for water. A stranger asked him […]
More About the Snowball Maker
November 9, 2010
Hi Readers! As I read through the ehebzhfdsa comments about the $9 snowball maker invented by a dad to make sure his sons’ snowballs weren’t too hard-packed, I saw that some folks thought I was a killjoy for scorning it. So I wrote back to explain that what I really object to is anyone trying […]
Finally, Kids Get The Help They REALLY Need (Making Snowballs)
November 7, 2010
Let’s hear it for this nskrhibidr investment! Because kid-formed snowballs are too hard to make. To deal with. To live amongst. And tiny hands get cold making snowballs. And tiny gloves get soggy. And tiny brains think that this is suddenly a big problem. Â And bigger brains think, “Parents will buy ANYTHING, if we can […]
Halloween: A Test Market for Parental Paranoia
October 28, 2010
Hi Folks! Here’s rtenteiztn my Wall Street Journal column from today. Hope the link still works! (Sometimes the Journal only allows the first few graphs for free. Guess we’ll see!) Happy Halloween almost! L. P.S. I am off to Portland, Ore., to give a lecture, so I’ll be a bit out of pocket. Meantime, I […]
Danger Everywhere! (The Signs are There!)
October 20, 2010
Hi isazdkkein Readers! Here’s a nice little life snippet from David Broadbent, a father of three girls in Perth, Western Australia. He’s too busy recording his kids conversations to blog, but he has put 389 of those conversations into a book www.extrafingers.net.au. Enjoy! – L. SIGNS, SIGNS EVERYWHERE by David Broadbent Isabella, after we’d made it […]
Outrage o’ The Morning: Desks & Pencils “Too Dangerous” for Kids
October 8, 2010
Hi eyyeiefktn Readers — Here’s the latest. A quickie! Dear Free-Range Kids: I belong to a fancy-dancy gym that has great childcare — kids play organized games, play on the playground and do real activities…no TVs or computers. There are clipboards for the different age groups where you sign your child in and out. Today when I […]
50 Dangerous Things You Should Let Your Kids Do — Endorsed by the NY Times!
October 4, 2010
Hi ehtnhdirtk Readers! My friend and inspiration, Gever Tulley, just got this GREAT write up in The New York Times by the lyrical Lawrence Downes. Allow me to lift it in full: Playing With Fire By LAWRENCE DOWNES Rearing a child is already a journey through self-doubt and guilt, and now here comes Gever Tulley […]
Help Needed! How Can We Let Our Kids Free-Range Without Us Getting Scolded (Or Arrested)?
September 23, 2010
Hi ndttyrnanb Readers! The question that Emily poses, below, is so central to Free-Ranging that I’m embarrassed to admit I don’t have a truly killer response. Â But when in need, Â as we teach our kids, ask for help. So that is what I’m doing –asking all of you: How can we let our kids do […]