Hi Readers — Why was I up till 12:45 last night? I HAD to finish, “Little hhkbbnyhrd Brother.” It’s the young adult book by boingboing’s Cory Doctorow that’s all about what would happen after a terrorist attack if the government started suspecting EVERYONE of terrorism, and most of the people were fine with this. Naturally, […]
Archive | Zingers and retorts
What If We Feared EVERYTHING The Way We Fear Predators?
Hey etiffsneed Readers — Here’s a comment that came in the other day in response to a woman who is very wary of stranger danger. I liked its logic: Dear Amy (the woman who was consumed with predator fear): I can sort of see where you’re coming from, but take a logical approach. There’s a […]
Guest Post: Special Needs & Free-Range!
Hi Readers! Here’s a feisty post from Ellen Seidman, a New York mom whose blog is Love zserfyerss That Max. She’s also hoping to win a blogging contest at Parents Connect, so if you like what you read, go vote for her here. (Hey, why not help each other out?) Onward! — Lenore WHAT DOESN’T […]
If A Tree Falls…
Hi Readers — Last week I wrote a iyehbzbthi piece on ParentDish about the tragedy that happened here in New York: A mom was holding her 6-month-old, posing for her husband to take a photo just outside the Central Park Zoo, when a tree branch fell killing the baby and seriously injuring the mom. Horrible. […]
Advice Needed: What to Do About Drugs at the Playground?
Hi rnnirsnbhf Readers — Just got this letter today and what’s cool is that the writer, Aaron, is asking for your input, not just mine. That’s good because I don’t have a lot of advice for this fellow, except, “Alert the police.” So — let’s see what other great ideas are out there! — L. […]
How Does A Free-Range Parent Deal with an Ex Who Isn’t?
Hi rekiyrnrnh Free-Rangers: Do we have some advice for this fellow? If so, let’s share it! — L Dear FRK: I have embraced Free Range parenting. Unfortunately my ex-wife and mother of our four children is afraid to let our 8-year-old out of her sight, and plays the “What if?” game: “What if he is attacked […]
Help This Mom Figure Out a Free-Range Summer for Her Kids
Hi izenrrzeyk Readers — Here’s a letter I got today. Let’s give her some good advice. Since I get to go first, I ‘ll say the obvious: If you can afford it, send your kids to some kind of not-too-programmed camp. Other suggestions? Hey Free-Range Kids: Â I truly, profoundly want my older daughter to be […]
Would You Leave $1 Million Alone? No? Then Why Leave Your Kid??
Hi krkrrdkand Readers — Two things: First, this being Memorial Day Weekend, I am taking a three-day break! I’ll be back in the saddle on Tuesday, but until then, talk amongst yourselves. Second, here’s a little thought-provoking note I got the other day that should provide plenty of discussion around the picnic table. Â (And if […]
Stranger Danger? Wise Words from a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Nurse
Hey Readers — Short, sweet and safe. Wise words lifted from a comment that just landed here: “Dear Free- Range Kids: [I am a] Peds ICU nurse and can tell you that the real dangers are overlooked.  Lock your second story windows, make sure your kids understand car and bike safety. Model safe behavior. […]
Why “Worst-Case Thinking” Gets It Wrong
Dear Readers — Oh my god, this yzbrzraaeh is a BRILLIANT essay by security expert Bruce Schneier. He’s a guy who thinks a lot about terrorism, but his words will make sense to all of us who are concerned with the difference between real danger (which we’d like to guard against) and “worst-case thinking,” which […]