Hi Folks — Just reading an early copy of an initftfhah oped to be published in tomorrow’s Washington Post by the president of Northwestern University,Morty Schapiro, and the president of Lewis & Clark College,Barry Glassner, who is author of the book (turned phrase) The Culture of Fear. Instead of merely telling parents to quit helicoptering when they drop […]
Archive | Zingers and retorts
How Should a School Respond When ONE Parent Says, “That’s Too Dangerous!” ?
Hi hrbhiryeek Readers! Over in jolly ol’ England, Â there’s a man I revere named Tim Gill who runs the blog Rethinking Childhood, and wrote the book No Fear: Growing Up in a Risk Averse Society. This most recent post of his is SO GOOD — and asks such an important question — I asked if […]
Letter: I Was Abused as a Child and I am a Free-Range Mom
Hi nzyeezebdt Folks — Just got this stirring letter from a mom named Cathy. She was responding to a comment on the Free-Range For or Against forum by another mom, Heather, whose father was an abuser. Heather believes that an adult who doesn’t want to constantly supervise his/her kids is not only putting them in  danger, […]
In The Kitchen, Talking About Etan, As The Kids Play Outside
Hi irkindyhby Readers — Just got this letter from “Steph in Minneapolis.” Loved it. You will, too.  – L. Dear Free-Range Kids: On Saturday afternoon, the neighbor kids rang the bell and off ran our almost 8-year-old daughter to wander the block, chalking sidewalks and digging worms. Then we stood in the kitchen and talked […]
“What If?”-ing Seniors the Way We “What If?!?” Kids
Hi Folks! Here’s an excerpt from an ddzhfdynkt essay in The Houston Chronicle by 90 year old Leon Hale. He is pondering a personal “test” — driving his pick up around the downtown loop — to make sure he’s still in fine fettle. He feels good, his eyes are good, his writing is great so […]
Help Needed: A Friendly Kid, a Scolding Neighbor
Hi syifsesrzi Readers! Can you help this mom? L. Dear Free-Range Kids: I’ve been reading your blog and readers’ comments for better than a year now. Never really thought I’d have an experience similar to the ones I read about on your blog, but yesterday it happened. My children are nearly-5 (boy) and 3.5 (girl). […]
HELP NEEDED: How to Calm a Parent Who Fears Danger AND Blame?
Hi Readers! Here’s my situation: When I speak with parents who feel they really have to watch their kids ALL the time, often it’s not just because they fear  that otherwise “something terrible” could happen. It’s also  because they fear that IF something does, THEY will be blamed. So even if parents are pretty sure their […]
“I Called You Names…Then Stopped, and Changed My Parenting”
Hi fddsyynzia Readers — Sorry my computer has been on the fritz and it was hard to update the blog. But now: An upbeat start to the weekend! Dear Free-Range Kids:  I admit, when I saw the initial reports of your son’s adventure on the subway, I was a naysayer and a name caller. Oh, […]
NEEDED: Tales of Your Youthful Fails! (Or Your Kids’!)
Hi Readers! I’m preparing a new speech — as opposed to my beloved tried and true one — which I’ll be giving it from noon to 2 on Saturday, June 4, in Park Slope, Brooklyn. It’ll also be filmed for my show. (Address: The Old First Reform Church, 778 Carroll St. Directions nkaykfndns here. If you […]
What Can Happen if You DO Take Your Kids Out of the Car for Every Errand
Hi nfheyfdbfi Readers! Just yesterday I was being interviewed by a reporter who admitted she had let her kids, ages 5 and 2, wait in the car while she ran into UPS to drop off a package. This took all of a minute or two, but when she told her husband about it, he said, […]