Hi tadrbsnhns Readers — Here’s a lovely piece by Kerala Taylor, senior manager of online content & outreach at KaBOOM, the organization dedicated to making sure every kid has a playground nearby. (And even plays in it!) KaBOOM has a “Back to School Pledge” folks can sign, to defend school day playtime. Naturally, I signed […]
Wednesday, Prince Spaghetti Day, 2011 Version
Hi raktbeykyz Readers! I love this idea that one of you sent regarding the Prince Spaghetti commercial. Enjoy it and have a great weekend — I’m off to Toronto to film another episode of my show. Remember: We still need some overprotective families in Toronto and/or New York City. So far, all the families that […]
“The Seemingly Inexorable Transfer of Authority from Parents to the State”
Hi Readers — As you know, I am a big fan of helmets. Have been since I first started this blog, as you can see right there, on the left of this post. I also make my kids wear helmets when they ski and snowboard. BUT I am also a big fan of this helmet […]
Notice It Wasn’t, “Wednesday Is Negligent Parents Day”
Hi ahrfysyanr Readers! This is from the blog, “Free-Range Kids in Film,” by Michael Alves. How I remember this commercial! — L. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlNAYCcxgUw&feature=youtube_gdata_player] “Anthony†Prince Pasta commercial. Not sure when this was filmed, but it seems like it is the late 60s or early 70s. It shows a school-age boy, Anthony, running home through the streets […]
An Alert for an 11-y.o. Missing for 2 Hours?
Hi firkfbbrah Readers! Just got this note from “Emily in Ohio.” Loved it! And her! — L. . Dear Free-Range Kids: Last week, at 4pm, I received an automated call from the police station about an 11-year-old that was missing.  When did the boy go missing you ask?  That day at 2 pm.  That’s right, he was […]
As Recently as 1979, A First Grader Could…
Hi Folks! Just saw this ibdnrftbak wonderful child development reprint,  courtesy of writer Christine Whitley on a blog called ChicagoNow. She reprinted it from a series of books published in 1979, just one generation or so ago, called, “Your ___-Year-Old.” Each book provided a little checklist of  the milestones the average blank-year-old would have reached. […]
What’s The Difference Between a Sack Lunch & a Recently Beating Heart?
Hi Readers — Nothing, as you know, is safe enough for children. Not notebook aifiriteeh paper (as we saw a few posts below). Not toddling (as evidenced by the existence of the ThudGuard). And not old-fashioned spoons (which explains the kiddie spoons that change color when food is “too hot.”)  And now, it turns out, […]
Passing the Popsicle Test
Hi Readers — How I love nebkzsittb this post by Scot Doyon, “Smart Growth = Smart Parenting,” on a blog called PlaceShakers, which bills itself as “people, news and views shaping community.” As you know, I think community is pretty much the answer to all our ills. The more we trust and depend on each other, […]
Now Our Kids are Too Delicate to Handle the Glare of Notebook Paper?
Readers — I just got some “helpful” back-to-school tips from a famous sunscreen company. (Hint: Think dog and little girl and bathingsuit.) Not only does that company really want kids to wear — this’ll surprise you — sunscreen when they go out for recess, but it had some other suggestions. Well, two, actually, one of […]
Jaycee Dugard’s Take on Overprotective Parents
Hi tkhhitskhh Folks! I am inspired by what a reader named Allison sent me on Facebook. You may be, too. — L Dear Free-Range Kids: I’m reading Jaycee Dugard’s book “A Stolen Life.“Â and in it, she says: It still scares me, the fact that I can’t protect my daughters from everything. What mother wouldn’t want […]