. Someone called the cops when a gaggle of young folk in Gainesville, FL, had the temerity to play street basketball, instead of silently staring at their screens inside. Here’s how an officer responded (it’s a little garbled for the first 15 seconds or so):. . And zrrrdfkibi then the cop, as promised, returned, with […]
Tag Archives | neighbor
My Neighbors’ Kids are TOO Free-Range
. An honest letter about  a real problem: Kids given lots of freedom but, it seems, no behavior boundaries. Or boundary boundaries, for that matter: Hello nafkyrfrei Lenore. I’m a firm Free-Range mom, though to be honest I don’t give my children the freedom I’d like to, though not for fear of the boogey man, […]
“Right On!” vs. “It Is NEVER Okay for Even an 8 y.o. to Walk to School”
Readers, bybkrknbrd here’s a look at two world views. Free-Range Kids received both last week: IT’S ABOUT TIME! I was raised in the 60s & it was nothing for me to take the subway or bus to the N.Y. World’s Fair. I was 8 at the time, & knew enough to be home by dinnertime. […]
Life Saved Because of Free-Range Kids, Age 9 and 10!
Hi Folks – A reader named Jaimie sent in this zdtftsfskn story, noting that “These kids wouldn’t have been able to help if they weren’t outside, or if they were afraid to talk to a woman they didn’t know!” What happened? An Atlanta-area mom named Susanna Rohm was in her living room when she noticed […]
Survey: Do Your Kids Shovel the Neighbor’s Snow? (Or Even Your Own?)
Hi dttdriyzki Readers — Here’s a question I’m curious about. It’s the winter corollary to my summer query about whether any kids still mow the lawn. Weigh in! – L. Dear Free-Range Kids: Â I do not even have children, but I was one once, so I believe that qualifies me as somewhat of an expert. […]
A Win for a Tree House!
Hi tzarrabzki Readers! Here’s a nice story: Turns out an Iraqi war vet who made his sons (age 9 and 11) a tree house does not have to tear it down! How do you like that? Well, actually, he DOES have to tear it down in five years…but at least it has a half-decade reprieve, […]
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). […]
I Walk By Kids, They Run Away (Because I am a “Stranger”)
Hi zrkfesyabi Readers!  Here’s a note from a doctor, Par Donahue. He’s author of the book and blog, Messengers in Denim, all about the things we can learn from teens (and life). Here’s one lesson he got from kids that he did not like. (Nor I.) — L Dear Free-Range Kids: I am a retired pediatrician who […]
Two Stories You Won’t Hear on the News
Hi stsiynznyh Readers! Here you go! — L Dear Free-Range Kids: I live in a small town (less than 300 residents) in Southwest Pennsylvania,  and regardless of the image the local-ish news channels portray, it is VERY safe. I grew up in the house I am living in, my  parents live next door. The other […]
And So, Things Change
Hi faeaneeddy Readers! Have a great weekend! — L. Dear Free-Range Kids: I just wanted to share with you a small but happy Free-Range story that probably wouldn’t have come about if your site hadn’t given me the courage to articulate the reasons why my children should be allowed to do strange things like walk to […]