Free Range Kids

[GBurr]

I'm still young and not yet a parent. I'm interested in hearing parents opinions on this free range kids concept. This woman seems to have her facts right.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23935873/

YouTube - Is Lenore Skenazy the world's worst mum? (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bhp6E5lOD_o&feature=player_embedded)

http://freerangekids.wordpress.com/

[Kludge]

I've been saying this for YEARS: Let your kids play in the road if they want to!!!

[Dieseler]

I've been saying this for YEARS: Let your kids play in the road if they want to!!!

Damnit man lol!
That Amadinijad Avatar fits with everything.

[revolutionisnow]

In many countries they don't have specialized school bus systems, children take public transport to school.

[Danke]

That $20 would have been better spent on a haircut for that kid.

[kaleidoscope eyes]

The world has become pretty paranoid... I mean when I was little in the 70's/80's we we're able to walk down to the park by ourselves and play or walk or ride our bikes down to the corner store and buy snacks by ourselves I believe at least when we were 6 or so. Now... it seems if you let your kids play in the backyard without a leash and standing right next to them... you have to worry you're going to be called a neglectful parent!

I have two young sons now... and I struggle with this... we have been made to fear everything... like there is a child molesting murderer around every corner! They truly aren't old enough yet to be taking solo adventures like this... but when it comes time when I feel they are responsible enough.... I want to be able to let go and give them the kind of freedom we had as kids at least, and not hover over them, hampering their independence. That's my job as a parent, yes keep them safe as possible... but also to prepare them for the day when they have to leave us and be on their own.

That kid in the video seemed to have a good head on his shoulders for a 9yo and not a scatter brained idiot, while my initial knee jerk reaction is to go "WTF was she thinking!?", when I sit and think of it... I know she did the right thing. We are so paralyzed by "what if" these days, I don't want my kids to be fearful of everything and anything... now THAT would be bad parenting.

[LittleLightShining]

My friend is an unschooler. Her blog has lots of links to good resources: http://www.swissarmywife.net/

[sratiug]

At 11 and 12 years old I was often running our family business alone. The corporate destruction of the family business model is making our children into idiots.

[ChaosControl]

I think this is a very interesting concept.

I think back and for the most part I would say, with or without my parent's permission, I did stuff like that. Wandered all over, did things I wanted.

I think being raised in such a way not only instills more confidence, but more responsibility as well. I would bet that that kid will probably be somewhat successful in life and will not be someone who mooches off the state.

I'm not certain I'd let a kid ride a subway in NY at 8 years old, but then I'd never live in NYC so that wouldn't be much an issue. I will live in a more rural area where it is safer and people are nicer, and at that point I would allow my kids to explore and figure things out for themselves. You learn more doing things for yourself and figuring things out for yourself than you will ever learn from someone else telling you what to do.

I have to say I am glad I was not born later than I was. It'd suck to not have been able to wander around on my own, not to be able to play on a merry go round or a jungle gym.

[ChaosControl]

My friend is an unschooler. Her blog has lots of links to good resources: http://www.swissarmywife.net/

I love the name of that site...

[UnReconstructed]

I had two girlfriends living with me when I was 15

[MelissaWV]

Yes, but do free range kids taste better when barbecued? :confused:

[Danke]

I had two girlfriends living with me when I was 15

You're my hero.

[LittleLightShining]

I love the name of that site...

Me, too. She's a riot.

[zach]

Yes, but do free range kids taste better when barbecued? :confused:

Only if they're organic!! :eek: