Helicopter Moms vs. Free-Range Kids

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  Posted By: jlistsweeney @ 05/15/2008 12:49:58 PM

  I read this story during a flight home this week, and took great solace in it. My husband and I have had a commuter marriage for a year now - living in two cities due to our jobs - so when I have to travel for work, there is a predicament with our 16-year-old daughter. Her school is academically grueling so she begs to stay at home vs. being sent to grandma's or a friend's, protesting: "I'll fall too far behind in school!" After much trepidation, I have twice allowed her to stay at home alone, for one to three nights, with only a Labrador to protect her - and a neighbor keeping a watchful eye on the house. All seemed at peace when I returned last night ... she barely looked up from her studies when I walked in the door. I do feel better having read this article and blog!

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  Posted By: voicefrombk @ 05/13/2008 4:17:50 PM

  It seems that you choose to allow to live in fear of the "what-ifs" of life. Yes, bad things can & do happen everyday but the majority of things that we worry about as parents never happen. It is our responsibility to prepare our children to stand on their own without us and that training has to begin when our children are young. It is heartless and destructive not to give them the oppy to develop thinking skills and how to exercise good judgement and then send them out into the world.

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  Posted By: voicefrombk @ 05/13/2008 4:03:45 PM

  Guess what?? We all have daily interactions with people we don't know. This is life. Kids have to be taught how to interact with people they don't know. If my 10 yo needs help and I'm not there, she may have to ask someone she doesn't know for help. It is a part of life. You role play w/them, then watch them from a distance, and ultimately let them do it on their own. Too many kids today are spoiled, selfish, unthinking brats and it's their PARENTS fault!!