Some perspective from a parent and a kid

Free Rangers: I’m so glad about the conversation – and possibly new movement — going on below. Here are two letters that particularly struck me. I’ll highlight more as the weeks go by.

The first is from a 13-year-old who pleas – snarkily — for a little independence and parental perspective. Her friend’s dad is thinking of trailing the class field trip (for four days!) to make sure his daughter is safe.

If it’s getting to the point where a responsible adult cannot even trust other responsible adults – the ones at his kid’s school – I think we can agree that nothing outside of having his daughter sit in the living room will strike this dad as an acceptable risk.

The second letter might serve as a sobering reminder to him — and the rest of us: There is no place that is absolutely safe. Not even a living room. The letter speaks for itself in its poignancy and refusal to retreat from the world.

Why I Let My 9-Year-Old Ride the Subway Alone

I left my 9-year-old at Bloomingdale’s (the original one) a couple weeks ago. Last seen, he was in first floor handbags as I sashayed out the door. Bye-bye! Have fun!

And he did. He came home on the subway and bus by himself .

Was I worried? Yes, a tinge. But it didn’t strike me as that daring, either. Isn’t New York as safe now as it was in 1963? It’s not like we’re living in downtown Baghdad.

Is Snow Going to Kill Your Kid?

Is there some snow on the ground by you? If so, do yourself a favor and go eat a handful. Have your kid eat some, too.

Then wait to see if you die. If you don’t — and you won’t — you will be joyously liberated from the latest WATCH OUT YOUR KID COULD DIE FROM DOING A NORMAL KID THING warning, this one about germs in snow.