Are We Too Obsessed with Our Kids?

The public bought the idea that they were essentially a danger to their own kids and had better pay money for advice, that they’d better try really hard to do a good job, and they’d still inevitably fail. (Even though, as Lepore points out, kids are actually safer now than ever. In 1850, more than one baby in five died before its first year, by 1920 that had dropped to one in 20, and today infant mortality is at one in 200.)

Sunrise, Sunset — Grammar School Style

Readers, I hope you’ll allow me a weepy moment. New York City schools get out late. For us,  graduation was Wednesday. That’s when I wrote this, which I also posted on  the Huffington Post New York page :
10 AM. In an hour my younger son graduates from grammar school. He’s the “boy who took the subway [...]

Free-Range Kids Outrage of the Week: 10-year-old Forbidden to Cross Parking Lot

Would you believe they have charged some intern to walk him across the parking lot?! Geesh people. He’s TEN!

CNN or C.A.N. — Child Abduction Network?

One reason Americans are so extremely terrified about child abductions is that whenever we turn on the TV or computer, there’s another one. As if these horrific crimes are happening 24/7, when actually the media is only too happy to fly across the country — or world — to set up camp wherever a cute, white girl [...]

Huffington Post and Free-Range Kids

Perfect together, here, on their new “New York” page.

Six-Year-Olds Build Nuclear Reactor (Or So the Cops Think)

Another story of strangely advanced kids – or is it strangely inept cops? — this time from Germany. Enjoy! — Lenore

Fourth Grader Lost in Wilderness Doesn’t Panic

I spend a lot of time trying to convince skeptics that “Free-Range” does not mean, “Send Your Kid Down the Mississippi on A Raft.” So when I present this article, it’s only because it delights me so: The story of a boy who will be in fourth grade next year who got lost in the wilderness [...]

Help, Daddy! A Grandma Smiled At Me! Will She Kidnap Me?

Hi Free-Rangers!
Just though I’d share this little note I got from Australia this morning. Makes you realize it’s a small world after all: A small,  paranoid, danger-halucinating world. This is from a lady named Vivienne:

Walking in Ikea.
 
I am a pleasant-enough, smiley grandmoter of 9. A man with his daughter of about 3 or 4 parks her [...]

Free-Range Kids Changes A Mom (And Two Childhoods)

Hi Readers — This letter, received today, made me cheer. For the mom, for the kids, for the movement!
From a mom named Mia:
I do very much wish to thank you for writing and sharing this blog.  It is changing my life and that of my children and I suppose you could call me a convert [...]

Free-Range Kids Outrage of the Week: “Wear Goggles When Putting Up Posters”

Four teachers in ten said that some field trips had been “toned down or cancelled” because they just weren’t safe enough.