Free-Range or Helicopter??

I read an article today about a mother who is under investigation for allowing her children (10 and 6) to walk to a playground on their own.  In fact, I've read a couple articles recently about parents allowing their kids to walk home from playgrounds or play outside by themselves.  One was about a parent who was criticized for letting her son play outside, where she could see him from the window.

In Douglas, my 10/11 year-olds walked home from school everyday.  Many of them walked to MEXICO on their own, which was a good couple miles away.  I can't recall one instance where they were kidnapped, or hurt in the process.

Free-range parenting is the idea that you gradually allow your kids more freedom to travel and play without adult supervision.  At a younger age than what is culturally deemed "normal" by today's society.

When I was 11, I had a JOB that required me to ride my bike 3 miles ONE WAY to deliver newspapers to complete strangers.  I think the only time my parents were with me was if it was raining.  Wonder if my parents would have been under investigation too?  I never felt scared or threatened.  Maybe there were creeps in some of those houses, but most of my customers were really nice.  I also walked 2 miles home from school on occasion in middle school (or rode my bike).  That ride was on country roads...very unsafe.

When did we get so protective?

Obviously, I'm not going to let my 3 year old walk a mile to the park, but I do let her play in the yard while I'm in the house.  What I allow her to do on her own will expand as she develops her ability to communicate and decipher hazardous situations.  To me, when you let your child do something unattended isn't based on an age.  It depends on her maturity and how much I trust her.

You can't save your kids from everything, it's impossible.  In fact, I think helicopter parenting is more harmful than free-range parenting, because it doesn't allow kids to develop true independence - something they will need later in life.  The best thing you can do is prepare them for as many situations as you can.  Merrie will know how to protect herself and how to identify strangers who could hurt her - we're already teaching her these things.  If you don't prepare your child early, than when they are older they won't know how to handle themselves in those situations.

Allowing your child to walk home from school or the park, gives then a measure of independence that will help develop their overall independence...something they will need to survive in the real world.

I also think this is something that responsible parents shouldn't have to worry being judged about.  There are far worse things the governments needs to spend money on than whether or not a 10 yr old can walk his sister home from the park.

Read One Referenced Story:
http://fox13now.com/2015/01/23/another-family-under-investigation-after-letting-children-walk-home-alone/