Mom Lets Her Twins, Age 9, Roam without a Phone!

I realize that headline wouldn’t have made sense in any generation till now. Of COURSE 9-year-olds roamed, and of COURSE they didn’t have phones.

The fact that this is, indeed, Free-Range headline material shows just how normalized constant adult supervision — in person and via electronics — has become.

So read this Alaska mom’s essay at Let Grow for a dose of what was once called “normal childhood” or “normal confidence” or just plain normal life, and enjoy the fact it is not out of reach, even in these anxious and overprotective times.

The essayist is Nancy Fresco, author of a whole BOOK about getting kids out of the house: Go Play Outside: Tips, Tricks and Tails from the Trails. Pro tip: Send your kids outside while you read it!