Free-Range Family: Maryland Children in Custody Again

[@LittleLofiStories]

I remember walking home alone daily from the age I was in second grade. That was normal. It still is for my little sister, who is 9. But then we always lived in the countryside in germany. Not sure I'd let my children roam free in the US.

[@Tennantphile]

Country side is different. No danger really except nature. My mom would let me roam around alone if we lived in the country

[@sophlo5898]

MinaSchokolade Same here but I lived in the Hamburg. Also I went by underground and to my field hockey club which was way more than a mile away.

[@tiad.9536]

I walked home with my friends when I was 8yrs old. It was no big deal. Unless you're living in some high crime neighborhood, then I don't get what the problem is. The US is not as dangerous as people think, and I think getting that independence as a kid really helped me as an adult.

[@victoriav8124]

I'm from the US..I grew up in the country, in a small village of 5000 people..I walked to school w the neighborhood kids when I was 7!! I wandered around alone in the woods!! As long g as I was w a group of kids and my parents knew where I was going? And I came home after school? I got to go out and play again til dinner a 6...and that was in the 80s! No cell phones!! I'm so glad I got to grow up in the country that's all I can say! But a child can get kidnapped in a tiny village, just as much as it could get kidnapped on the city streets! So I guess that's my point here! I think parents nowadays are too overly protective of their children! I have a 10 year old and when he turned 9 I let him ride his bike to school with his friends. Same town I grew up in!

[@elizabethmckenzie3373]

Don’t they do this in Japan like first grade kids go to school by themselves? ... I’m from a small town and one of my friend was like a two minute walk from school she got to walk home in like 2nd grade

[@lolanaterlin]

I think it's fine to walk alone to the playground if it's just down the street or across the street, but they said they playground is a mile away

[@tayllor2900]

I was totally with the mom until they said it was a mile. A mile is too far from home for two small kids. She is 6 for God's sake. Her small 10 year old brother would not be able to stop someone from snatching her up.

[@angelicafelty9436]

Lolo Lin no they said over a mile away.

[@Petra44YT]

So what? Why can't they walk a mile?

[@tayllor2900]

Petra44YT I would say it's no problem to walk a mile if they were teens but 6 years old is a bit young to be walking around a mile from home.

[@angelicafelty9436]

Exactly

[@roachqueen1973]

A whole bunch of kids would have been picked up by CPS in the 1970s-1980s if these were laws when I was growing up.

[@vegandolls]

YOu obviously don't remember the atlanta Child murders that happened in your beloved " safe" time. 29 Black boys killed in one summer dumb bitch

[@wanderlingd7047]

90s to

[@youresostupid1]

And? Your point? Violent crimes almost tripled since 60s. Yes they need more laws. Its not safe NOW.

[@naelyneurkopfen9741]

Vegan Dolls 1 place, 1 horrible pos, in a nation of over 200 million at the time. You dumb bitch!

[@ajplays7241]

and alsos 90’s and Very early 2000s it was only after 9/11/01 when everything went downhill

[@suelynnb5867]

Illegal for children to be alone outside of a building? WTF. When I was a kid my parents let me go exploring wherever I wanted. I realize now, that that's not exactly safe, but this is totalitarian. Kidnapping them in a cop car and then CPS is horrible.

[@Skorphie]

to be fair it's not even that unsafe? these cases kind of piss me off. Like I understand that bad things can happen but they are so so rare... like lightning strike or childhood heart attack rare. kids do not need to be controlled to that extent :/

[@suelynnb5867]

Wayyyy more children get kidnapped/abused/molested than people realize. Most are not talked about in the media. As far as I'm concerned, if there's ANY risk, it's not really worth it...I think striking a balance between these parents and "normal" parents is key.

[@anonocomment]

The vast majority are kidnapped by exes who are not happy with custody. You say wayyyy more children, but do you have actual statistics to back this up or has the news made you feel like it happens all the time and everywhere? Helicopter parents are not normal. We have young adults who don't know how to ride a subway and are socially anxious. My Dad had me turn in the stores take at the bank, buy his cigarettes, interact with all sorts of people in business. Then he'd let me go do whatever outside because he taught me how to handle myself. I am much better for it.

[@thelastnameiwanted]

I understand your point, but I have to disagree. most children are kidnapped by someone they know so following the if there is a chance they will be kidnapped then no way logic all children should be kept away from absolutely everyone but the parents. the goal is to find the balance between freedom and security. there is no freedom if you have complete security and there is no security if you have complete freedom. I agree these parents might give their child to much freedom but to not give them enough freedom is just as bad

[@SAMMIsLIFE]

exactly, and same with me wen I was younger

[@ConcreteAngelx3]

But kids walk home alone from school all the time. How is that legal but this isn't?

[@lisettelachat1870]

parents letting 10 year olds walk home by themselves. is called fucking lazy and irresponsible

[@ConcreteAngelx3]

Lis Berryka 10 year olds?? I think it's the opposite. picking up your child from school a mile or less away from home is just making your child lazy.

[@lisettelachat1870]

ConcreteAngelx3 lazy ? Walking your child to school ... how ?

[@lisettelachat1870]

I'd walk my child to school 1 and half miles to school then carry on walking another 2 miles to work ... how are we lazy ?

[@ConcreteAngelx3]

Lis Berryka well I meant picking up your child by driving.. not walking with them. If your kid is 10 and your'e doing that then he or she needs to grow up

[@SashasSpecialChannel]

Really 2 1/2 hours in the back of a police car and then held by CPS for another 6 hours without food really and that's not neglect?!

[@alyshamiddleton4130]

I bet she is lying they probably had food. Maybe not the food they want since they are used to getting their way....

[@deliamorrison4761]

If the parents were doing what they were supposed to do which is watching their children it never would have happened. Wow what kind of dummy thinks children can't be abducted in broad daylight? And them to encourage a kid to tell a cop... Shouldn't u save me? Police can't be everywhere all the time and aren't supposed to b babysitters that's the parents job.

[@waynesatter1590]

kubejunkie there is a fine line on freedom and discipline, their are things they need to learn and I've been around children that I wanted to punch in the face couse they never learn how to respect others

[@emilyann4623]

that woman is full of shit, cops aren't going to hold them in their car for two hours, and they would definitely make sure they had something to eat and drink

[@DigitalChainsaw]

Uuuhh, yyyeah... How are they supposed to become self sufficient without any academic knowledge or even the crudest critical thinking skills?

[@annabanana1178]

A 10 year old is a 5th grader! It is mind blowing that a 5th grader can't walk to and from a park by themselves!! Crazy!

[@jaeshasway]

michele lachance It’s a mile away. Plus someone could knock him down and snatch the girl. Be realistic.

[@urbi3006]

@@jaeshasway America has a shitton of work to do if the abduction rate is high enough for that to be an actual concern. And it isn't. More kids die (not even counting injuries) in car accidents than there are abductions total. Those kids were fine, but the 6y/o was a bit young even for us euros.

[@meghan_.]

I was 10 in 3rd grade... I wasn’t even allowed to go anywhere until I could drive.

[@-itschetachi-1159]

urbi3006 account But that is no reason to let a child go around a city by themselves, what do car accidents have anything to do with abductions. We still have to take precautions. It isn’t safe at all for kids to be roaming the streets

[@marie-claire8634]

Im in 5th grade and I wouldn't know how to get back home if it was a mile away

[@dtbroad5862]

When I was a kid growing up, all of my friends and myself weren't allowed to stay inside all day. After breakfast we were told to go out and play. and that did not include a parent to watch us all day long.

[@squidneythesquid2487]

DT Broad i wish

[@youresostupid1]

Theres a difference between playing outside vs walking busy streets alone. Use your brain

[@youresostupid1]

Emma Kpop OK idiot obviously your children will be taken or hurt as you want them to walk around alone. Sick woman. The girl is 6 too young to walk around alone. Anyone under 12 is too young.

[@helenaregragui1233]

Emma is a moron. Besides when we were growing up and sent outside it was in groups not just one or two kids.

[@Dablooner]

@@youresostupid1 uh ok then tell that to my mom when she let me go around the neighborhood and stuff

[@msivy0511]

nope. i trust no body around my kids, period. ill alow my kids to be "free range" around 13/14 and that also depends on the neighborhood ill live by then.

[@blindpeopledostuff3587]

Ivelisse Concepcion I agree for the ages you set.

[@youresostupid1]

Yes these ones are too young

[@raumerfrischer872]

If my parent had told me that at 12 I would have laughed out loud. I literally spend a year abroad on my own at 14 an was completely fine wtf

[@medicaldoll5506]

It DOESNT MATTER what your kids are capable of. It's not in their control when someone decides to snatch them up. Why is that so hard to understand? I think children should be responsible and independent also, but laws are set place for a reason. Literally laughing at the possibility of your child being abducted, like "oh, that'll never happen to us" is extremely irresponsible and naive. Smh.

[@JLydecka]

"Laws are there for a reason... facepalm." Yes, and sometimes they're put there for wrong reasons. Statistically out of all the crimes that happen to children today there's a 0.01% chance it's a kidnapping and do you know who's often responsible for those... relatives!

[@billybassman21]

You do realize that someone could easily overpower you and take your children from you? Unless you have a gun on you, your children are not as safe with you as you think. If fact I bet your children can run a lot faster if there is danger.

[@sameritaco]

what evidence do you have to suggest children are more likely to be abducted than teenagers or adults? does my grandma need to keep a closer eye on my 50 year old mother?

[@luvbug24910]

Medical Doll I completely agree. Maybe you can talk some sense into @Emma Kpop

[@luvbug24910]

Emma Kpop lmao oh my god are you kidding me? Chores and homework teach kids responsibly and work ethic, I'm convinced you're a horrible parent and pray you don't have any kids. If you do, letting them skate through life with no sense of responsibility, you're doing them more of a disservice than good. When they get to the real world, there's work, there's criticism, and there's responsibilities. It's much easier for children to learn this early on in life, if not it can lead to serious problems in their future. And I'm sorry, but isn't the laziness here coming from the parents who are too lazy to actually accompany their kids to the park? Or the corner store? Or wherever they're going?😂 Kids can still have just as much fun with the supervision of a parent. You're seriously the dumbest person I've ever had a conversation with.

[@fallingslowly8753]

My dad walked 2 miles to school every morning at age 5. HOWEVER, things are different now. Busy roads and more distracted people is whats concerning.

[@europianbob]

and pedophiles. =/

[@cc3184]

Miss Amber Staley pedophiles were around years ago as they are now. Just no 24hr news.

[@youresostupid1]

Cc no crime is almost tripled. Since the 60s.

[@grammaidaho]

And I suppose it was uphill both ways and in a snowstorm too. At 5 years old my mom wouldn't even let me play in the backyard by myself without her supervision.

[@CuriouslyCute]

That's true. It's not a high probability of getting kidnapped that we should be obsessed about, but the other more innocent and more probable dangers.

[@gogeeks96]

I used to go to the park with my friend all the time without our parents. We would go outside and not come in until dinner, it rained, or the streetlights came on.

[@drseafrog]

Yep when I was a kid we were sent outside to play around 9-10am, went home or to a friend's house for lunch, back out again until 5pm when we'd go home for supper, then sometimes back out again until the street lights came on. Our parents never knew exactly where we were, but we were always kicking around the neighbourhood somewhere. Someone's backyard or at the park or in the woods. Or *gasp* swimming at the lake unsupervised! We knew the boundaries. This was also when we learned all of our social skills and pretty much how the world works. The kind of stuff no school or parent could ever teach.

[@gogeeks96]

Sapurina it's ridiculous and I'm only 20. What happened with today's parents that makes them such helicopters? If we left the neighborhood, we'd be supervised but within our neighborhood, we were totally fine. I met my best friend playing by myself outside and I heard her so I started watching her through the fence. If I had a helicopter parent, I probably never would have met her.

[@trishpiglet]

Same here. I hope that people will correct me if I'm wrong, but as I understand it, children are most at risk from family members and abductions, though they happen, are rare and can sometimes kids can get snatched under their parents' noses. This isn't to say I'm either pro or anit any particular choice. I'm not a parent so am not best placed to comment but interested to hear what other people think

[@emvilecross6947]

playing outside in the neighborhood all day is totally fucking different than living in a City and riding the damn Subway by yourself

[@drseafrog]

Emily Bradford Are you kidding? You must be... it's much safer for kids in the city than in the suburbs or in rural areas! In the city you have waaay more people around, so there would be more witnesses if you were to commit a crime and a lot more people a child could approach if they were hurt or lost or needed other help for some reason (police officers, bus drivers, store clerks, etc. That's why abductions DO tend to happen a lot more in the suburbs/rural areas than in the city.

[@funnylittlecactus4672]

Unfortunately, I think things are different than when even I was a child. I think it depends on the child's maturity level and how responsible that child is, if the parents do decide to give them some freedom. I personally would never let a 10 and 6 year old out by themselves to wander the streets. Kids make bad decisions and they aren't equipped with enough life experience to know what to do in some situations. That's why in a lot of these kidnapping cases you find out that the child was lured somewhere by someone because kids are so trusting. As parents we can try to teach them what to do if someone approaches them, but it doesn't mean they will remember what to do if God forbid the time ever comes where they need to.

[@cc3184]

Cara D the only difference is the advent of 24 hr media. I walked a very short distance to school from age 5-8 with other kids. By age 9 I could walk a mile + to school with friend/s. By 10 I was taking a bus every Saturday to the mall with my best friend.

[@funnylittlecactus4672]

+Cc I did the same kind of things and on two different occasions I was confronted by men. Once when I was two houses down from my own and once when I was on the elementary school playground less than a mile from my house. I didn't know what to do in either case, I just ran. I had forgotten about it until I read your comment, so maybe things weren't safe even then.

[@neondeath07]

People are people...creeps, pervs, and assholes are everywhere; then..now and in the future. I didn't ever walk to school (other reasons mostly rather than safety) but I loved to be on my bike and I went everywhere I possibly could on it. I did live in small towns (my first line still applies to small towns) and it usually got around who my parents were after a bit and I'd be looked out for a good portion of the time but I was oblivious to it at that time. I was just out having fun and loving it.

[@kazunabe4288]

Look at crime rates from the "good ole days". Times certainly have changed...we are safer than ever.

[@doracotterell2863]

Hi Cara: What you write makes sense. However, just as an adult never really knows how 'brave' one might be when looking down the barrel of a gun,it is doubly so for a child no matter how 'street trained' in theory they become. I am now in my 60's & I am the victim of a child abduction from a pedophile while playing ball alone in the school yard. Instead of screaming, I frooze in fear, and there was no adult around to save me had I screamed. This tragedy had a life long effect upon my life. I DO understand

[@fallingslowly8753]

What ive learned from researching free range parenting is that it comes in different forms. Women like the ones in this clip seem to be fine, still have structure in life, and truly like the educate their children. Then there are families that literally let their kids to whatever they want to do with no rules whatsoever.

[@tracydainton]

Giving children independence and freedom is not child abuse or neglect.

[@heyyou1198]

But it is breaking the law in this case. The law is the law.

[@anonocomment]

And good luck changing the law because the law makers listen to the most outspoken constituents and that would be scaredy cat people who think theres a pedo behind every bush and a school getting shot up around every corner.

[@kay1134]

Tracy Dainton well that all depends on HOW MUCH independence or freedom. There has to be some common sense and a line has to be drawn at some point. A 6 year old should not be walking to a park through a city a mile away from home.

[@Aniyakirtley]

No its not but come on now they r not teenagers they are like 10 years old, what is a rapist comes along. What r the 10 year olds gonna do

[@christinarose2877]

The girl is barely into elementary school and the boy is barely leaving. They shouldn't be walking miles.

[@shellcraigmiles5253]

I'd let my child walk to the park by themselves if they were 12 or something but I wouldn't let them take their younger sibling along with.

[@heatherjones2676]

Exactly, I had am an airforce brat, born and raised on base. Supposed to be one of the safest places to live right?? I will agree that it is still very safe to live on base because of their ability to shut it down and search everyone if a child does go missing which is rare. But the problem is, there are bad people everywhere and you need to teach your children correctly how to respond to strangers, or even people they know who are acting a little strange. Give them a key word, so that if someone comes up and says "your mommy was in an accident and hurt very bad. She sent me to pick you up", they will give the child a key word... apple or something and they know its safe. Then you change the word after it is used. That technique worked with us, when I was 7 my twin sister and I were playing with a friend on base and a man started talking to us from his vehicle. When we didn't want to get into the car, he got out and tried to take my twin. We learned groups of 3 from our families, my friend beat on him while my sister was kicking and screaming and I ran to get any adults attention... the guy got freaked out, dropped my sister and drove off. We called the police and they found him in another housing section trying to talk to little girls and they got him. It is all about teaching your children correctly. Now these two children are very small and it isn't hard to pick up both of them and leave with them. Be smart.

[@lisettelachat1870]

alone ? or with a group

[@shellcraigmiles5253]

Lis, alone. Heather Jones I lived on a Naval base in Chicago because my mom was a RDC. They are not the safest places to live. I've gotten my ass beat by another kid on that base and no one cared.

[@lisettelachat1870]

Shell Craigmiles hmmm... ok

[@heatherjones2676]

Shell Craigmiles My experience on the AFBes that I have lived on have been much better than living off of base. But I was talking about how fast of a response we have gotten from the MP's and how fast they shut everything down to find that guy. Same thing has happened at the one my parents are at. That is something they can't do off base. Makes it easier for someone to get away. But I will say there is a problem with bullies everywhere you go, I experienced the same things. Heck, a few boys got into my families house while we were gone and set fire to all mine and my sisters barbie dolls (including some collectible dolls) and we found them in our back yard. Evil kids. One of those kids could have seriously injured my twin when he hit her across the back with a metal bat... and the stories go on. That is a parenting problem.

[@KeefeL]

This is absolutely normal in many countries. I'm from Hong Kong and kids travel alone at about age 8-12... Sometimes even as young as 5. There was even this Japanese TV show that played on our public channel (1 - fei chui toi / TVB) at night time on the weekends that showed Japanese kids go out and buy something like soy-sauce or noodles and they were like 3.

[@pinkinkling1905]

Damn. LUckyyyy

[@happyaccident105]

Wow. "Aren't you supposed to save me?" That stupid comment is what is WRONG with the world. Instead of taking personal responsibility for things like safety . . . people expect to be saved by someone else. Who cares if someone dies while trying to save you from yourself, right? If you want a free range kid then get with like minded people and make sure there's some kind of buddy system in place. Safety in numbers or whatever.

[@CaribbeanLady77]

Chelle Daniel

[@happyaccident105]

Yes?

[@catherinerose8904]

Or follow them without ever being seen. That's something I would do, because, although I might trust my children it's other people we might need to worry about.

[@gustavus0013]

Um? Of course I would expect the authorities to keep the community safe. This is WHY your country is so unsafe, the lack of community is insane.

[@ashleyashleym2969]

I was left by myself in the house for hours on hours at a time while my grandmother did things in town because me and my cousin didn't want to go, I was 8 and he was 9. No one was hurt, we were both 100% safe. When I go out by myself I'm worried about dogs not other humans.

[@drseafrog]

I can't believe this. When I was 10 years old I was babysitting kids in my neighbourhood. I was also allowed to play outside and ride my bike around the neighbourhood unsupervised when I was about 7. I guess I was a "free range" child, too. Lol kids are not poultry! That being said, it's all individual. It really should depend on how mature and responsible the child is. If they know the rules and boundaries, they'll be fine. There are much higher chances that they will be kidnapped or molested by a family member or family friend. I think everyone is just getting super paranoid. It's just ridiculous. The media's fear tactics have worked! All of it is just a ruse to keep our minds off more important things like poverty and health care.

[@hyena280]

What you said about a family member or family friend is exactly right.

[@MsBuggywuggy]

unfortunately, the days of free range children are over. Yes, I was a free range child too. a mature and responsible child is just as easily grabbed off the street as any other child. I absolutely love the idea of children being able to live a carefree, fearless life, but....... in case you haven't noticed, this world is not like it use to be. I use to be astonished to hear some of the crimes committed that now when you hear it, it's like, it happens so often, it's not even shocking anymore. Go to Wal-Mart and look on the wall when you first walk in. there are lots of kids who are kidnapped all the time but we don't even hear about it much because it's common to us. It's so sad.

[@Lov2WatchSweetVidz]

MsBuggywuggy yes the world is different - it's much much safer in terms of violent crimes and crimes against children than it was in the past. The media just knows it can make bank off of making Americans afraid of one another so we hear every last scare story they can possibly find. The danger now is that our children are so coddled, watched and over corrected that their emotional and social development is being stunted.

[@MsBuggywuggy]

Lov2WatchSweetVidz I agree and disagree with you but I'm sorry how old are you? Where are you getting your info?

[@MsBuggywuggy]

Lov2WatchSweetVidz if you go backwards in time and compare you'll see that now drugs are more available, school shootings are more frequent, suicide bombers, child trafficking, I could go on forever. The news isn't making up( although not always accurate) these acts of violence.

[@OZOBIEUSA1]

It's one thing to let your kids play in the back yard, however it's another if your letting them walk the streets of Harlem. Kids make mistakes! Not all children are experienced….

[@OZOBIEUSA1]

Theresa Dorval I'm not buying that!

[@AnastasiaBeaverhousn]

OZOBIEUSA1​ then you're a fool

[@OZOBIEUSA1]

Anastasia Beaverhausen thanx for sharing

[@AnastasiaBeaverhousn]

OZOBIEUSA1 you seem upset LMFAO

[@OZOBIEUSA1]

Theresa Dorval Nope, if I was upset id send you gift.

[@epresley8324]

These are the same parents who will blame the police for not babysitting their kids for them

[@squirrlycellist]

I feel bad for the parents. We used to play outside all day. We would walk to the playground and ride our bikes wherever we wanted to go. We were home by dark. There is nothing wrong with the way they are raising their children.

[@amarettojones9573]

That was before we had penicillin and smartphones

[@bunkertons]

I agree, we had a great time olaying alone outside. We were always close to home.

[@makesmenblush]

Here in Europe "free range kids" are a norm. How else would they grow up independent and successful

[@Bozewani]

+makesmenblush IN Tokyo children use the subway independently just as old as these ones why is in the USA so tight about it I know makesmenblush I live In the Netherlands andc hidlren walk fine here

[@Bozewani]

you know why bookworm the STATE wants to control your children I can quote from the declaration of independence a multitude of offices to harass and eat out our substances can be perfectly describe social workers counselors therapists psychologists

[@vegandolls]

Japan is ethnically pure- that's why. Netherlands is ethnically pure. that's why. It's not a fucking mystery

[@smartypants3356aj]

I'm 13 and sometimes I take an hour train with my sister (15) to Birmingham and we walk around the city and mall. Honestly it is the way to learn.

[@Maki-00]

TheBookWorm1718, these are the people who come into the cafe where I work and ask ME what they should eat.

[@alisonknight5371]

This is the way most of us were raised in the 60’s, I walked to the neighborhood school alone...along with all the other kids. We went outside every day.

[@Sassy_Alaskan]

Alison Knight yes but these days things are a lot scarier. More creeps and pervs out there.

[@w.sommen5209]

I think it very much depends on where you live . Walking a mile in a rural area is different and has other risks ut doesn’t compare to a big city

[@beckybooboo600]

@@Sassy_Alaskan it's not any more dangerous than it was in the 60s. Kids where I live still play outside

[@birdiewolf3497]

@@Sassy_Alaskan It is literally way less scarier than the 60s.

[@lindataylor2131]

I was a free range parent. I let my daughter run our local neighborhood on her own. She had to tell me where she was going, and call me when she got there, but she was then free to run and play. She had to be home by dark. With schools getting rid of recess, and the kids kept to the grind stone all day long, the time after school, till dark, is free time for them that they need to get their energy out, and get relaxed enough to actually do homework, and get ready for sleep. In the summer she was allowed to go out and be a kid. I grew up that way. I think this helicopter parenting thing is going to turn out a whole generation of irresponsible adults who won't have a clue how to take care of themselves. Agoraphobia may become epidemic. And it will all be the government's fault.

[@wildswan221]

What happened to kids walking home from school, dropping by the park, riding their bikes till dinner time? The world hasn't gotten worse, people have become paranoid.

[@Lavenderforestfairy]

Wild Swan kids still do that but the world isn't as safe anymore too

[@kylamusic2148]

Firstly, I don't think that holding kids for six hours without food is "acting in their best interests". Secondly, who are they to tell parents to be helicopter parents instead of letting the kids have real world experience such as doing something (in this case going to the park along a way they know well, with certain boundaries such as having to be home by a certain time that will keep them safe) without parental help so that from a young age they are used to going places alone. Also, it helps the parents trust their kids more when they experiment with leaving them alone, because every time the kids go to the park and come home safely by the right time, it lets the parents know that the kids are trustworthy.

[@JustAroundtheHorizon]

So many countries encourage independence in young children. Unfortunately I don't believe every city in the US is safe enough for that, but if you live in a small safe town I believe it's up to the parents to decide how to parent, even if others might disagree with that method.

[@luutje2607]

JustAroundtheHorizon yeah you are right

[@samaraa3041]

I used to live in that part of silver spring and I also worked there for a long time it is legit almost no crime like people need to chill

[@samaraa3041]

And by used to I mean like a year and a half ago not much has changed

[@ida2300]

no offence but americans are so damn scared of EVERYTHING. I'm not saying let your kids roam free, but you shouldn't constantly live in fear of child molesters or kidnappers. once your child has matured enough, you should let them go more and more. like walk with a friend to the playground, bike to school, or hang out with friends after school. used to do that all the time as a kid (started around age 10)

[@samaraa3041]

Exactly now a days people just live in fear which is a terrible way to live like you need to calm down an de just go out and live in the moment and not have your kids miss out on things because you think that someone's gonna kidnap them

[@willaelliot5708]

Same I live around there now I can say the exact same thing

[@JenJungg]

Sammiesaurs yeah but nowadays, sliver spring is a little sketch. Like, around the aspen hill area too

[@ashleyashleym2969]

Sounds like the police are causing more damage in these kids lives than anything else.

[@dr.assblaster3355]

Ashley ASHLEYM sounds like someone has brain damage

[@bewwybabe8045]

It's fine if the park was a block or two away, but a mile away is too much. I grew up in an area where a park was just 3 minutes from my home and I could go there with my brother whenever I wanted since I lived in a more relaxed neighborhood. I just don't feel comfortable for kids to be walking alone in a busy area for a mile.

[@DigitalChainsaw]

Uuuhh... IT WASN'T. AND IT ISN'T.

[@havocsrev3nge625]

What about letting kids to in the woods? Is that dangerous too? When I was little my parents didn't care how far into the woods I went. And yes, I did meet complete strangers in the woods without any trouble.

[@paul.a.witte-kerr2786]

The absolute difference is that if they Don't arrive at school, someone knows something went wrong. How would she know if they never made it to the park?

[@jessa8267]

The same bad things can happen 3 minutes or 3 miles away.

[@tdstec1]

I use my mom's logic.' When you are big enough to punch a creep in the face and run, you can leave the yard"

[@lisettelachat1870]

10 years old is too young! ... it's called lazy parenting

[@lizmowrey9866]

Lis Berryka Too young? PFFFT! I used to go roam around with my friends that age and not come home until about dinner. In Europe and parts of Asia they let their kids walk around without an adult, it's the norm there. It's not lazy parenting in the least.

[@lisettelachat1870]

Liz Mowrey In my opinion it's too young, the first and last drowning in a park pond in my town was a little Asian boy ... parents nowhere to be seen. Also how old are you now ? I used to be out riding my bike at 10 etc that was 20 years ago a lot has changed since then

[@lizmowrey9866]

Lis Berryka I'm in my early 20s. I did what I mentioned in the late 90s & early 2000s.

[@lisettelachat1870]

Your still from the generation when it was still (so called safe) and your talking about friends roaming around the same age there's only 2 of them and 1 is a lot younger. Anyway good day.

[@misswhitegrape0225]

No it's not. Back in the day it used to be normal for school aged children to play outside unsupervised.

[@MsPea]

Jesus. When I was 10 and my sister was 12, we left the house in the morning and didn't come home till supper. We were riding bikes all over town, playing with friends. My sister and I grew up to be strong, independent and not afraid of anything. And, there were perverts around then, too, I can tell you. But, you have to learn to deal with bad things in life, or you'll be helpless forever. I've backpacked through Mexico alone, I've traveled through Europe, Africa and Australia. I can take care of myself. I owe it all to my parents, who taught me to take care of myself. I'm in my 60's now, and just as independent as ever.

[@squidneythesquid2487]

Ms Pea I’m a teenager currently and I wish I could have that, I’m not allowed to just go around by myself without anyone, if I could, I live far away(for a bike ride) from anyone I’m friends with, and one of them has an awesome forest in her backyard, but her mom is too overprotective and rarely allowed back there herself (due to the possibilities of snakes in the bushes). We’re 15-16, we’ll be okay. I want to make memories with them and just shove our phones in our bags and don’t get them out. And i lived in Arizona from ages 5-10, there were lots of poisonous snakes and critters. But I know to behave around them, and where to avoid, I was practically trained to do that. (In p.e. We did laps in this bushy ditch, we were in Arizona, we knew how to be careful), not only that there is an ER right outside her neighborhood. I don’t want to sneak out or make my friends sneak, or lie, but I want to have fun. Why is everyone so overprotective?

[@patriciagaebel4665]

what happened to the days of the late 80's early 90's. I could play outside, walk to school, and never had an issue. Honestly, it's pathetic how people are so over protective. Kids have to be independent. Next thing will be you can't teach your kids to cook, clean and grocery shop

[@Liz-sc3np]

I grew up in the mid-90s when crime was much higher. I walked home from school and often stayed out until it got dark. Now, none of my nieces and nephews roam free. What happened?

[@LadyAngela678]

Liz People have gotten more crueler and perverted.

[@youresostupid1]

Crime wasn't higher its doubled. Stop making stupid bias opinions and look at dept of justice stats

[@fernlin-healy2174]

It's amazing the number of parents that won't let their 12 year olds walk in the city alone but are fine with those kids going on the internet to any site. I'd rather have the reverse.

[@apan9711]

what the hell??? I used to be walking the streets at 7 years old, riding my bike, living' life and walking to the candy store. What is happening??

[@cc3184]

a pan I agree. I think the main reason my parents had me was for the purpose of me going to the corner store for them when I was kid. Which I started doing by age 5 or 6. Kids are only less independent and safety aware because they are made that way.

[@JLydecka]

haha, "honey could you go to the corner store?" "nah lets just make a kid instead, way easier"

[@1amieosia]

Me too. At six and seven years old I was riding my bike all over town, my mom had no idea where I was but I was always home by dinner.

[@wobbezijlstra]

Wiengs

[@daniellew5871]

I was not a free range child, but the world is different now. Everyone used to look out for all kids. Now, people don't know how to raise their own, so I can't feel comfortable that everyone has the right mind to guide mine, so I did it myself.

[@AutumnCheyenneTV]

this is how I will be raising my child 💁 good job mom and dad for raising street smart and independent children!

[@watercatfish]

I come from Norway and over their every child walks around alone and it works out just fine. Children need to have an opportunity to learn on their own and not be caged up constantly!

[@amy2771]

See, the issue here is it all depends on where you are. I live in a small town in Canada. There's very few super busy streets and everyone knows everyone. there's still places it's unsafe, and I would never let a young child this far away from home alone. Imagine leaving a child alone somewhere like Los Angeles or New York City. There's far to many dangerous things to get into and there's lots of child predators, rapists and people who would love to kidnap kids. It's just not safe.

[@karishaffer2185]

These laws are confined to the wackado north eastern states. Where I'm from kids walk all over by themselves. Our laws only have restrictions on leaving very very young children alone (children who can't take care of themselves like babies or toddlers). It's ridiculous that a 10 year old can't walk from a park home. And calling 911 bc they're walking home is crazy to me. That's not an emergency- if they felt the need to call, they should've called the regular number for the police

[@karishaffer2185]

Starting at age 5 I walked to and from school a mile each way.

[@watercatfish]

+Kari Shaffer yeah i started taking the bus (in Norway) on my own when i was like 7

[@woodedlane]

I was blessed. I grew up on a farm and was often gone for hours as a child. I played in the corn, the barns, I aggravated the fish, played hide and seek with the dog, and danced my way through the pasture. I stayed out of the woods because sometimes hobos slept there. My older sisters thought it was fun to lock me in the chicken coop. lol

[@KatieGrady1997]

I think it's terrible that we're frightened into not letting our kids be kids anymore. I was raised a lot like kids are "supposed" to be raised today. My brother and I weren't allowed to go anywhere alone or be alone or do things alone. It was awful. Without a doubt I think that's the wrong way to to. Kids really NEED that time and space to grow and become themselves... Independent and confident. You really don't get another chance to make that up and it sticks with you forever. Sooner than later kids become adults and if you're not able to learn these essential things in life it's a REAL struggle. I'm a mother of 2 now and I'm just as scared to let them free but I wish that weren't the case. I've always told myself that the number one thing I wanted to instill in my children is independence. That's getting harder and harder to do in America. I can't imagine what our country will be like in the future. This is no way to raise children.

[@lizmowrey9866]

Kate Riggen Then go to Europe or Japan where letting their kids roam around is normal

[@nanchapman1774]

Kate Riggen p

[@iLitAfuseiCantStop]

Kate Riggen Kate Riggen You also "don't get another chance" if your child is kidnapped murdered or molested. It is our job as parents to care for & protect our children. These patents are LAZY

[@heatherwolmarans8287]

This debate hinges on how streetwise your kids are, and the community you live in. We moved out of Johannesburg, SA, predominantly because we were more and more ''cut off'' because of crime. We moved to a small town in the rural Eastern Cape province, and apart from some common sense rules (don't walk around talking on your cellphone, be aware of your surroundings), my son is free to go out and about, so long as we know where he's going.

[@SweetflyRachel]

Yes, but not in the case of letting a ten year old and a six year old roam the city alone a mile away from their home.

[@bored8990]

I don't even let my little brother go outside to check the mail alone, let alone go to a park a mile away.

[@paulaegraham]

Land of the free. Unless you send the kids to the park.

[@superlibbyanne]

That’s funny. Lol

[@bleueviolette4549]

I was raised in Silver Spring, MD, and most all the kids I knew were free to go outside (with permission of course) to play. We were taught to look both ways before crossing the street, but other than that , and what time we were expected to be home, we were free - really free to engage in wonderful wild fantasies and run, climb, and explore with reckless abandon without fear. Those were good times. Sad how things have changed. PS: I do not support this new concept of "free range" parenting. Children need proper guidance, education, nurturing, etc. to help ensure their chance for a healthy, happy, successful future. Proper education is critical and I cannot express this enough!

[@LahomaK]

So...are there no latch key kids or kids who walk to/from school in MD?

[@itsbrittney_____]

I live in MD and starting walking to and from school by myself around 9/10 as I was getting to old for daycare. My school was only about half a mile away though.

[@ankkaananas3897]

As a Finn I find this quite amusing. Kids as young as 6 walk to school alone, take bus rides alone and are free to play almost anywhere as long as the parents know what they're doing and most important of all where. Crime rates here in Finland are so low that I never feared walking of playing by myself and that's the best blessing you could have!

[@ayeakacassaday5937]

The world ain't different but now because of social media and television you know about all the terrible things people do!

[@youresostupid1]

Ayeaka cassaday lies look at the justice of dept crime stats. You naive people. Violent crime has almost tripled since 60s. All you know it alls making foolish blanket statements. Lol. I knew before I looked. The world is worse.

[@naelyneurkopfen9741]

Ayeaka cassaday The world is very different now. Obviously you lack the intelligence required to cite fact, ago you spew bs.

[@carolastname1699]

Ayeaka cassaday we didn't start doing this because of social media, we started doing this because of how many murders/abductions/rapes ect. there were in the 80s. Do you iniw how many people are murdered in thier own homes because they didn't lock thier doors? How many hitchhikers were never seem again? It's not social media it was people being rightfully afraid of being killed

[@MargieVarner44]

The world is different now. In the 50's and 60's you could leave you house unlocked and leave keys in the car with no problem !

[@MargieVarner44]

Yes crime started coming in the 70's in S Cal when the neighborhoods were being glutted with minorities.THAT IS A FACT

[@nancywalker9774]

My parents let me roam within reason. By doing this I learned to navigate streets. I was walking home with one of my friends (who was sheltered as a child) when a man pulled over in his car and asked us for directions. I promptly ignored him and started to walk away when I noticed my friend was going over to him. I quickly grabbed her and ran to my house. After she told me I was being rude and that we should have given the guy directions. I then told her that’s how one of my other friend almost got kidnapped. If my parents had not let me “roam free” then something really bad could have happened to us. I believe it’s important for children to learn theses lessons at a young age so nothing bad happens to them.

[@Ilmarien]

Sorry, but this is just another reason I'm glad that I'm not living in the USA, "land of the free". Of course my kid was outside by herself at age six. Of course she walked to school alone, and played on the playground with her friends. And of course, from about eleven onward, she'd go to the scouts and her piano lessons alone. If it's not about high crime neighbourhoods, this law (and this panic) is just ridiculous.

[@Ilmarien]

Bwahahaha xDDDDD Thanks, I needed my dose of clowns for today. By the way, how's that going over there? Here, we have no clown scare and are enjoying life.

[@Ilmarien]

It called "making a joke", darling :) But I don't expect you to understand how that works And nope, gladly not a citizen of that sorry country either.

[@Ilmarien]

I'm sure the country with the most money and power in the EU greatly cares about your opinion ^^ Thanks for playing.

[@daved5662]

This is a rare example. This one city most places aren't like this.

[@lindafarah6606]

Maybe for white folks but the blacks don't feel safe in their own country. 'greatest country' my arse, I can name a list of countries that have better living standards than america.

[@hcn581]

They won't understand until their kids are kidnapped

[@carlosramon6102]

Cassidy Evens Yeah. By police, for the third time.

[@mehname8597]

Yeah "coming home late at night " WTF even I wouldn't come home late at night by myself ...Sure their kids are at the park but thats pedo territory, when it's dark and they are one their own one day it won't be the police taking them in and they will be sorry! In the UK there have been several child abduction scares from kids with their friends to a lone boy being dragged into a white fan!! And not all these pedo creeps are men , some of them are women which I find shameful ;_; but humans are all the same there can be pedos everywhere =(

[@lizmowrey9866]

Cassidy Evens In Europe & parts of Asia kids walk to places with a friend all the time without parents. It's normal there. Kids are more likely to be abused by someone they know.

[@kosmiken]

I let my son start riding city transit to school when he was 10 and it was a watershed moment for him. He responded to the trust given him and showed more maturity than the overprotective parents would ever find in their coddled kids. The bus stop in front of his school had two different bus lines and they both went to a transit center where the correct line went the direction of our house. The other line turned the opposite way at the transit center and proceeded towards another side of town. He one day inadvertently got on the wrong line and when he realized what had happened he surmised the situation, and not knowing where he was got off at a hospital and went and asked the police at the hospital how he could get back home. They were nice enough to bring him home, (thank you San Jose Police!). But instead of being frightened I took the opportunity to make sure he understood what had happened and he LEARNED FROM IT. It never happened again, and he even helped a fellow classmate get on the right bus at the transit center after he had gotten the wrong line. You have to give your kids the opportunity to learn and grow!!!

[@maroussia555]

My mother let me take the bus alone from the time I was 10. She didn't allow me to go wherever I wanted, only places I had been with her before so she knew I wouldn't get lost. I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

[@aten73]

These days a parent could be charged for that, it's sad

[@RetroVRR]

How is walking home alone as a kid a crime? Imagine both your parents just passed away, and there was no one else to take care of you, and you were walking home after that had passed. Then a cop comes up to you and says that’s a crime. Then they wait until you’re old enough to do community service or jail time or house arrest. Ridiculous.

[@becky7637]

I don't ever let my kid outside without me it isn't worth the risk.

[@Petra44YT]

That's ridiculous.

[@lizmowrey9866]

Rebecca Orange Note for you.. Remember to pick up the bubble wrap. I guess you could never live in Europe or Japan since letting your kids walk around is normal.

[@helenaregragui1233]

I went to the park with my kids not just because there are weirdos but because I guess unlike these free range parents I love my kids and I enjoyed watching my kids have fun growing up.

[@BxNcVsper777]

@@lizmowrey9866 there. A different between helicopting and supervising. When i was kid , i was supervised

[@scarlettrose362]

I remember growing up we use to walk to the park by ourselves and we played outside all day by ourselves, but times were different then now I have a child and I wouldn’t leave her unsupervised outside alone until she’s 50. 😊

[@Sakura-qh8sy]

I was walking to places alone when I was 10...

[@ashleyashleym2969]

I had job and walked by myself to and from my job even late at night when I was 11. Nothing ever bad happened and nothing bad ever happens to the vast majority of children who does this, there's always a risk with anything you do that you're putting yourself in danger, even if children are with their parents they can still be kidnapped and molested and murdered as long as the person doing this is stronger than the parent who is usually the mother and let's be honest mother's aren't that strong and usually can't take a psycho like that.

[@justme-ew3ri]

+Ashley ASHLEYM Well explain to me all of the kids who have been taken and/or worse

[@marielar704]

Ashley ASHLEYM I'm sorry but how did you possibly get a job at 11? Also how did your job let you work until night? In many states the minimum is 13/14 to work.

[@CHANNYTUBE]

@ just me. EXACTLY!!!!!!!

[@Caassiopeia]

Goddamn hippies are taking over.

[@marys3738]

I agree! The other day I saw a baby eating dirt in the "sandbox" at the park, and he had his mouth full of dirty and he had no teeth, I tried to help him get it out of his mouth and was telling him in a sweet voice oh no baby! don't eat dirt! and the mom was texting while all of this is happening. Then, she gets mad at me and tells me IT'S OKAY! IF HE IS EATING DIRT! I LET HIM EXPERIMENT. I was just trying to help! since she wasn't watching him but instead she was texting.

[@leahmelon3910]

Mary S That's absolutely disgusting "let him experiment" there could have been things that could've made the poor boy sick...also letting your child eat dirt is not normal.. :(

[@astraley1806]

just dont let your like 8 year old kid wonder the fucking business district or whatever alone. like thats really stupid. and its not even that the parents dont trust the kids, its that people could litterally walk up to the kid and grab them.

[@saraelias8159]

In Japan it is encouraged to allow your 4 year old to walk to school ride the bus and come home after school!

[@Graycata]

I was thinking that was the case. A lot of Asian countries and courage independence of children. I personally don't see a problem with it. But it seems like the Western world is so paranoid and bend on making sure children are protected from the world until they turn 18. And then he magically need to know how to function in society

[@MargieVarner44]

MAYBE WE VALUE OUR CHILDREN MORE !

[@iknowyouwanttofly]

@@MargieVarner44 maybe american parents are so paranoid because deep down the know the failed missarably at giving their kids a school free from shooting, un stressed parents with long parental leave, parents in stable partnerships a long life expectancy and health care. You know the things other contries that you think dont value their kids give them.

[@jessa8267]

So, schools don't have children who walk home from school in this state?

[@Clarea11]

what the fuck I went out with friends and siblings for hours at a time when I was 7. I also had to walk to school for 25 minutes everyday twice, everyone I know did that.

[@cassiehood8453]

This is how we all lived in Australia 30 years ago. We as kids left the house in the morning and came back for dinner. We all walked to school which was often kilometers away. I dont let my children go off now, but I often wish that they had the same freedom that I had.

[@zimnizzle]

Kids can't walk to the park?!? No wonder we are fat and lazy in America. And no wonder we don't know our neighbors. This is super sad.

[@laurarust5468]

I think it depends on how far and the age of your child. If it is across the street I do not see a huge problem with it once they are 6-8 years old. As long as you can see them while they are playing.

[@maddiesullivan588]

But parenting my kids is sooooo annoying....waaaaahhhhh

[@dimitylong792]

Maddie Sullivan What is your problem? Children are a blessing!! Wow we really are in the last days...no natural affection...sick!

[@maddiesullivan588]

Dimity Long I was being sarcastic...kids are wonderful

[@leahmelon3910]

Dimity Long One word Sarcasm.....

[@peteryoung5840]

I was walking by myself as a 7 year old in Downtown LA within a block of my parents work. And by the time I was 10, I would venture about a mile away and come back when it was time. Never even thought it was dangerous.

[@esnutaliah]

Move to Japan :) it's normal there and there's less crime because of this... Unfortunately it's not as safe in the US.

[@daved5662]

Well I used to live there and they have there fair share of abductions and missing children. In the citys it safer as there are people everywhere.

[@philip9566]

You guys are hilarious. What country has one of the highest suicide rates in the world? Higher than the US? Japan!

[@squidneythesquid2487]

Philip Kiko Japanese CHILDREN go to school by themselves. What does suicide have to do with Japan being safer for children than the US.

[@mystick070]

Japan is safer because it is a homogeneous society, with 98% of the population speaking Japanese. Japan has very little immigration and diversity.

[@MargieVarner44]

They don't have the forced melting pot we have either.

[@MeMe-cd1wy]

I walked home from park four blocks away when I was 6. I rode my bike 15 miles away when I was 10. My parents left us from 8 in the morning to 9 at night. My older brother who was 15 was to watch me. He left soon after my parents and came back minutes before they arrived home. My parents worked all day and both went on to college classes at night. I learned how to take care of myself. I can size people for being possibly dangerous. I am an adult who is aware of my surroundings without being paranoid. It is often the sheltered child who is taken by a stranger.

[@moewilson4605]

At six my sister and I would grab our bikes and disappear with our friends all day. My mom would blow a whistle to call us home. This shows how sick of a society we have become. I get it that we are a global village and know about every bad thing out there. You have to teach them the best you can and set rules and curfews but going overboard is nuts

[@blindpeopledostuff3587]

Moe Wilson they don't live in a place where it's quiet enough for whistles. Are used to do the same thing but it was in my neighborhood. A mile away passing stores in my opinion is way too far. Now in a more rural area I would think this was normal.

[@t.j.7789]

hahah I love Mama Whistle!!

[@merryhunt9153]

Go to 6:00. Notice the girl's ill-fitting, uncomfortable clothes. Did you know that child molesters look for the kid with clothes like that? The clothes indicate poor parental care. Also isolation from other children.

[@yanniatx]

When I was a kid I was walking MILES away from my house to Walmart or target 🤣 I ran across busy highways (although I don’t recommend it). I think it really just depends on what kinda town you live. I lived in a town where violent crime wasn’t too common.

[@elien1902]

Why is everybody so insane about kids being by themselves? I walked to school and back everyday from 7 years old. I cooked, I cleaned, I fed myself. I travelled by public transportation at ten by myself. Went to another country by 13. First flight alone by 15. Travelled the world by myself at 18. Teach your child how to be safe in dangerous situations, don't just forbid them to do anything.

[@TwighlightAngelRose]

And this is why we can't have nice things. One person messes up and the whole school gets punished. Man what had this world come to.

[@sheilahalliwell5527]

Stopped to pet a dog? mum has not warned her kids not to approach strangers especially with dogs.

[@xxtinkerbell91xx]

I can see both sides of the argument however from what I can see the oldest is looking after the youngest, constantly holding her hand and getting her safely across the street. That child is clear.y not responsible enough on their own and it had become the older child's responsible iLife to look after them, that's the parents job not his

[@carolgage4569]

I was a child in the 60's and a teen in the 70's. I was allowed to wander one block away at 8 and 9, three blocks away at 10 and 11...where the park was. Crossing four lane highways at 13, and bicycling a couple of miles away to friends' homes. BUT I had one big rule: I HAD to call mom at work to report where I was going, and who I was with. 2:15 "Hi, I'm at Nancy's" "Did you finish your homework?" "There's only some reading to do..." 3:15 "Hi, Nancy and Kathy and I are going to Grace's" "Well, be home by the time Dad and I get there!" 4:30 Rushing home while sunlight is fading.... 5pm Inside warm house, bicycle in garage... after dinner, read the chapter in my room.

[@sarahdirienzoi]

independence is great but letting them go a mile away at the age of 10 and 6 is .... no. Not in today's world

[@sarahdirienzoi]

"Not in today's world" Unless the reporters in our parents time had a really rough time with reporting kidnappings and murders.... I'd say child abduction and killings has grown more common. And frankly, today's parents aren't teaching their children the independence and street smarts that our parents were taught. The concepts of instant gratification and the trusting nature of children is very easily exploited today. I think I've yet to see a 10 year old capable of taking responsibility for a younger sibling and I've yet to see a 6 year old that would be able to deny free candy, a ride home, assistance from a stranger. Most 6 year olds I've seen, and I live in Boston, by the way, are happy to run out into the streets... for nothing more than to pick up a rock. I'd be more comfortable with it if it was a 14 year old and their younger sibling, or maybe even just the 10 year old, but a child that young isn't able, in today's world, to take care of their younger sibling and themselves, and frankly it seems that in our modern world, we have much more nasty people hanging around our streets.

[@laurenateliz]

As a kid who grew up in Maryland, I never knew that was illegal as it was pretty much the social norm. I'm not exactly sure how this is considered neglect. maybe letting them ride the subway at nine was a bit much but not worth police interference

[@angelfire2510]

I think free range kids is the worst thing ever. How will they survive in the world without a proper education whether it'd be homeschool or some other kind of proper school?

[@user-sd7tn4uv6u]

but when something bad happens to the child who would you call? the police? pizza hut? kfc? or no one because that's what freedom is about!?! when someone kills one of them the parents should not do anything cause that person has the freedom to do that? how far does freedom go? and if the police don't do anything then what?

[@user-sd7tn4uv6u]

i have a big family and there was always 5 or more of us at any given time and our older cousins were always there to supervise us,and thats how we were kept SAFE! and SAFETY is my main point. i was lucky because my home town was and is small. we have mountains and rivers and we knew that we were never to go there with out someone older!! i don't know what life is like in the U. S. A but where i come from that SHIT DONT FLY AROUND HERE!! so yes I was free of PA- RENTAL SUPERVISION but NEVER UNSUPERVISED!! i feel these a difference.

[@lizmowrey9866]

angelfire2510 They go to school....

[@wanderlingd7047]

I don't think these kids are true free range, as they do go to school more like their parents allow them to walk places on there own much like mine did. I think the show is misusing the tern free range child.

[@beasmith3386]

I agree - how will they hold down a job with expectations and rules and show up every day? SHEESH!

[@rianabasista8161]

When I was 10 I rode my bike 2 miles to school and back! That being said, it was a safe community with a low crime rate, and it was completely ok. It really depends how mature your child is and where you live. In my opinion those 10 and 6 year olds are perfectly capable of walking a mile to the park and back!

[@leahdeitrick4320]

stranger abductions (meaning not family or acquaintances) accounts for only 1 percent of missing children (about 115 a year). Of that, most are teenagers and most are returned home alive. To put that in perspective - roughly 800 children a year are killed by car. About 700 children a year die from drowning. Approximately 400 die from gunshots a year. - So, if we want to fear things, lets fear the realistic things - most abductions are by fathers, uncles, babysitters, the next door neighbor, etc.

[@youresostupid1]

Leah Deitrick where did you get those made up stats

[@PanMarlon]

Well the CDC stats say in the US From 2005-2014 there were an average of 3,536 fatal unintentional drownings. 1/5 were kids under 14 years of age. Out of every one that dies five are saved from being submerged. So yearly globally 700 sounds reasonable even when you add natural disasters.

[@grammaidaho]

I still don't like those odds. I'd rather my child not be in that 1%

[@kerstinboerner7616]

This country is really crazy. Its ok to give everyone a weapon but not to let your kids walk home alone!?

[@grammaidaho]

Better idea, give the kids a gun then they don't have to worry about being abducted.

[@misss4529]

The only predator is CPS.

[@heatherbaird1894]

So my son is 4, and I don't let him go anywhere without one of his parents with him. But as he grows I wouldn't have a problem with him riding his bike around or neighborhood or walking down to a friend's house that is in our neighborhood. I live in small neighborhood that every parent knows each other, and we look out for each other. However, I would let him roam around the town by himself with supervision till teenage years, and only if he was with a group. I dont think its OK to let you 10 and 6 year old roam free. I was a child of the 1980's and early 1990's and my mom never let us roam around by ourselves. Trusting our community it laughable.

[@ashnkksmom2264]

Free range parenting is another way of saying mom doesn't want to discipline their children. They are raising children to think they do not have to listen to authorities.

[@havocsrev3nge625]

Did you even watch the video? They have a curfew and their parents are the authority they listen to. I'm sure if they purposely stayed out past curfew then they would get in trouble.

[@epicbibbles11]

I was allowed to go out to play to the local park by myself since I was 8, that was only 9 years ago, but I lived in a big town, not a gigantic city like new york, I think riding the subway alone is a bit much, but going to the park should be fine

[@Ayverie4]

I think 6 is too young for my comfort, but the bottom line is, that's MY judgment. I don't know these kids personally and neither does the state of MD. They have NO right to snatch these kids away like that. "Nanny state" in the truest sense of the term.

[@tinahuttner7280]

It’s not about watching too much tv lady, your kids aren’t immuned from getting taken for human trafficking, she’s very arrogant when it comes to this issue.

[@Ghostwalker2061]

So, let me get this straight. The state of Maryland considers what Daddy O Five and his stupid wife do to Cody and Emma as perfectly legal and good parenting, but for the love of god, call child protective services if two kids walk home from school! Wow, priorities, right? So, letting kids walk home from school or even play outside is a big no-no, but calling what Mike Martin does to his kids capital punishment and saying he's completely legal to torment them...that's perfectly fine!

[@maraseptember1372]

In Germany it´s allowed to let kids out in public without there parents. It´s totally normal in our society that children go alone to there Primary schol (age 5+) or that parents are waiting outside the store and let there kids buy one item by there self. I think it´s important to trust your kids and society. Children must learn to do things on there own because there isn´t always help available. My parents raised me also like this and never happend something and i always felt save.

[@grammaidaho]

I'm pretty sure those kids pictured were not in Germany.

[@DoraLee90]

This is straight up lazy parenting. Why WOULDN'T you want to go with your kids to the park? Free-rangers act like any parents that give structure to a childs life is a 'helicopter' parents. It's so ridiculous!

[@gustavus0013]

How is letting them play on their own “”lazy””?

[@MCast718]

I took the subway alone from the bronx to brooklyn to go to my grandmas with my lil sis when i was 12. Walk to school alone in kindergarten. Went to the store for my mom. I live in NC now so my kids cant do this because nothing is walking distance. Yes times are different but i survived, and i wasnt the only one. Most kids i grew up with were this way also. And we stayed home alone and made ourselves lunch because our parents were still at work. And took care of our siblings.

[@a_ghost]

I don't care if they want to be the hip parents. Just as long as they accept responsibility when they end up molested, dead, missing etc.

[@a_ghost]

Emma Kpop omg your an idiot ...im saying that anything can happen to them and other idiots like these parents are responsible for not watching their children. Lol.

[@a_ghost]

Emma Kpop Google "idiot" your picture will probably see your picture. Learn to read correctly you daft tosser....i never threatened anyone you twit. I'm a mom of three and was pointing out these people are all cool and hip until bad things happen like in the Etan Patz case.

[@a_ghost]

Emma Kpop lmao I wasn't even born then you dumbass. Lol. Are you on your meds hun?

[@a_ghost]

Emma Kpop you are one crazy lady. You should be investigated. Lol because you are crazy.

[@a_ghost]

Emma Kpop I was born in 1984. And the case was actually solved you dumbass. I couldn't be the killer of Etan. Omg. Someone please get this lady her medication haha

[@noturbiz2827]

HELL YES! When it comes to my kids, 1% IS MORE THEN ENOUGH, not to let them out of my side, especially at that age. When older maybe, but still again, thats part of being a parent is to watch and take care of your children.

[@MugiwaraCarat]

This is crazy... How is this even called free-range?? Children are may not have much experience in this world but they're more than capable of waking home. If you're worried about them getting kindnapped might as well wrapp them in bubble wrap and lock them in their room forever

[@jemmabeard9616]

I was only walking down my street at 12 and I got kidnapped so yea it’s bad what people do

[@cartooneagle]

This is why I love backyards. Kids get the freedom of the outdoors and you can have playground equipment but it's a lot safer than the streets with cars twice the height of them! Man, when I was a kid all I needed was my backyard and something to play with, even mud cakes were enough for me.

[@patriciastymiest6903]

I agree that kids need to have some freedom as helicopter parenting is unhealthy. HOWEVER, letting a young child alone is NOT a good idea. My mom let me outside to pkay leaving my 7 year old sister to watch me. BAD IDEA. She wandered off on me and I was lured away from my yard( big shared yard seeing as I lived in a complex of sorts). I was lured away by 2 kids about 6 years old. They lured me behind a dumpster area and molesred me repestedly until my mom came calling me. They told my mom that they found me. I got in a lot of trouble for wandering off because I was too scared to tell my mom what happened. I share this to say that we cannot simply just trust everyone out there and we should give our children safe boundaries, and know that strangers can be harmful.

[@diamondstrawberry6275]

Patricia Stymiest ♥

[@taylormichelle5369]

Imagine letting your kids out free to do what they want and they are kidnaped and killed. That is the parents fault

[@RavansFan-u5j]

Depends how old they are

[@tobiusholmes2344]

I think the 10 year old is fine to go to the park on his own, maybe not a mile, but should not take and be responsible for a younger sibling, that is not smart.