Tag: free-range parenting
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Nurturing Free-Range Kids: Embracing Adventure and Independence
Get Pregnant Fast “In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.” –Albert Camus As a child, I was fortunate enough to have parents who allowed me the freedom to dream, create, and play independently. Whether they recognized the value of unstructured outdoor play or simply needed a…
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Nostalgic ’80s Adventures That Would Raise Eyebrows Today
Get Pregnant Fast Ah, the ’80s—a time when kids roamed free, unburdened by the concerns that weigh heavily on today’s parents. Growing up in that era was a unique experience filled with unstructured play and a sense of adventure that seems almost alien now. We engaged in activities that, if attempted today, could very well…
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Wave Goodbye to Helicopter Parenting and Welcome Drone Parenting
Get Pregnant Fast In a fascinating twist on traditional parenting styles, a dad from Tennessee took the concept of helicopter parenting to new heights—literally. When his 8-year-old daughter, Lily, expressed a desire to walk to school independently, Mark Reynolds, a tech-savvy video production specialist, decided to track her journey using a drone from the comfort…
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Oregon’s Message to Parents: Let Your Kids Walk to School Alone
Get Pregnant Fast In an unusual move, the state of Oregon is taking a stand in the parenting debate by encouraging parents to consider allowing their children to walk to school independently. The Oregon Department of Transportation recently released a poster that outlines guidelines aimed at helping parents assess when it might be appropriate for…
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Empowering Your Kids for a Brighter Future
Get Pregnant Fast As I stand at the threshold of my home, I observe my son pedaling his bike down the street. A few houses away, I spot two girls peering through their window, seemingly the same age as him. They don’t join in on the fun, as they aren’t permitted outside on their own.…
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When ‘Stranger Danger’ Is Actually Child Protective Services and a Curious Neighbor
Get Pregnant Fast In a recent incident that raised eyebrows, a mother named Sarah Turner found herself facing scrutiny from Child Protective Services (CPS) after a “concerned neighbor” reported that her children—a seven-year-old and a nine-year-old—were playing unsupervised at a nearby park. Sarah and her husband, David, practice what is known as “free-range parenting,” a…
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Is Parenting Through Benign Neglect Really a Bad Idea?
Get Pregnant Fast Fifteen years ago, before I embarked on my parenting journey, I had a conversation with a friend’s mother, a highly respected judge. I asked her how she successfully raised her children, who turned out to be well-rounded and accomplished individuals. She simply responded with two words: benign neglect. This phrase has lingered…
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Mother Faces Legal Trouble for Allowing Her 4-Year-Old to Play Outside Alone
Get Pregnant Fast In a gated community in Sacramento, California, a mother is facing charges after allowing her four-year-old son to play outside unsupervised. The incident began when a well-meaning neighbor reported her to Child Protective Services (CPS), raising concerns about the child’s safety. Jessica Matthews, the mother in question, shared that her son, Casey,…
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Our Children Are Safer Than Ever, Yet We Struggle to Accept It
Get Pregnant Fast Growing up in the 70’s and 80’s, I recall a childhood that many would consider carefree. My mother worked as a waitress during the evenings, leaving me to navigate my after-school hours as a latch-key kid from the second grade onward. I would unlock the door, prepare a quick sandwich, and wait…