Is Free-Range Parenting a Good Idea?

[@heyyou1198]

There needs to be a balance. Don't be a helicopter mom but don't let your kids do anything they want.

[@dontaylor7315]

Hey You the "don't let your kids do anything they want" part of your comment suggests you haven't read Skenazy's book. I recommend it: very commonsense, down-to-earth, well-researched, fun and NOT about overindulgent parenting. I bet you'll find her views closer to yours than you thought.

[@ethaneckhardt1179]

I feel the same way I think some people are way to over protective and some are just lazy

[@zedohe172]

I was raised up by a mother who was incredibly worried all the time but also gave me a lot freedom early on. I was raised to know that if didn't do as I should (If for example I didn't do my homework, it was my responsibility, and I was the one to bear the consequences. No lecture was ever given). Today, I don't drink much, maybe 1-2 every two months a glass of wine. I'm incredibly responsible. I'm more careful with whom I become friends with. I don't participate in your typical college life student activities. I was brought up to calculate the risks, by myself and asses situations by myself. Being given that freedom is the best gift, because you learn to parent yourself. If your parents are worried you discuss risks with them and ultimately make your decisions, but again I will bear the consequences of my actions and decisions. It's a valuable lesson that can only be taught by someone not micromanaging you.

[@alonalove3118]

Hey You ur right

[@fionafiona1146]

I was Propably 5, when I first went to stores and picked up groceries (my parents a few steps behind me, everyone aware of how that's normal in Germany) and I have been riding trains by myself by age 9 too.

[@melodramatic7904]

This seems fine, but i watched another news clip about free range kids where the mom didn't send their kids to school and instead let them choose what they learn (or don't learn) everyday. That I don't agree with. Letting your own kids walk home by themselves is not negligent to me.

[@dontaylor7315]

melodramatic7904 I saw that one too. What that family's doing has nothing to do with free range parenting, nothing at all. Skenazy's book makes it clear that raising free range kids, as she does it, does NOT mean spoiling them.

[@griffinbird3000]

The difference is most of the public will watch out for the kids and the streets of Japan are generally safer

[@elenahickman4329]

It's not safe to let your kids walk anywhere by themselves because that's how kids get kidnapped

[@jcsugarnutt]

@@elenahickman4329 actually nah not really. Most kidnappings are someone you know, and almost none are random off the street abductions, even in areas where kids are left alone often. You are being influenced by media, learn to let go and think critically

[@alize0623]

They’re not just walking home or going to a nearby park alone. Her kids are traveling across Burroughs. You know how large those Burroughs are? Do you know how many crackheads hang out on those trains?

[@ahsiro]

As a non -American this seems reeeally weird. Here Kids go to the Playground on their own all the time or take the bus when they are about 6-7 years old. Nobody would freak out about this.

[@Bozewani]

where do you live Japan?

[@ahsiro]

Roman Soiko Germany actually

[@ida2300]

same here in denmark. dunno why the americans are so up tight

[@Bozewani]

yeah here in Europe children travel all the time independently they ride their bikes here(netherlands

[@Bozewani]

can you even use proper English supermario brothers?

[@PaniACoCo]

Overprotection also causes a lot of damage

[@pioupiou1603]

Like depression for myself and paranoid tendencies

[@scarlettemarie6619]

Yes I do agree! My mother never let me do Anything! And because I could not do even just little things I rebelled and did really dumb things. I was given no freedom at the slightest to even make choices for myself

[@idunno7087]

Less than free range tho

[@bublehnoodlez4469]

You're right, but we all know being a free range parent is just bad parenting because it seems as if they don't think of their child's future. The number 1 job a parent has to do is keep them safe and prepare them for the future so they will lead to success.

[@biandreadytocry7939]

It really does. Since I was little I’ve had anxiety and depression and my parents being helicopter parents did NOT help with that. Over the years my anxiety has gotten absolutely horrible from them constantly looking over my shoulder.

[@Kovukingsrod]

Born and raised in Norway: “free range” is regular parenting here. At least when I was growing up and I’m only (soon) 17 so🤷🏻‍♂️

[@AdventureLover-mw5hx]

Kovu is a unicorn Hey I watch your videos and think you’re really cool

[@yaelfeder9042]

America is screwed lol!

[@aendra6495]

Adventure Lover 2000 In England too, when I was 5 or 6 other kids used to go into town by themselves and cross busy streets and I wondered why my parents didn't let me go too before I realised it was dangerous

[@gandhi4538]

In America it’s different.

[@Lynn-nx6ue]

I am an American living in Europe and I can tell you it's totally different here. For one thing so many people are using public transport that its rare for kids to be walking around without lots of other people around unless hey live in the country and in the country American kids can walk around too. There are in fact traffickers in Europe but not as many opportunities for one to just grab your kid with no one seeing them. Also everything is made for public transport here whereas that is rare in the US.

[@cavejourney]

I'm in my 50s. When I was a kid we all walked to school (starting in kindergarten). I think the bigger danger today is that kids are over weight and over dependent.

[@dianeshelton9592]

cavejourney I used to walk 2 miles to school and back by myself age 6 , I have very fond memories of that time alone, it gave me time to let my imagination roam, to learn to like to be by myself. My children couldn't walk to school as the local roads were too dangerous, ha I lived in a city my kids were brought up in the country. However my children did roam free away from the roads and they too have great imaginations.

[@Lavenderforestfairy]

If you think that's the biggest problem you are clueless

[@dianeshelton9592]

Lavender Fae no I am not, statistically most child abuse and murder of children is done at home by those known to the child. Stranger danger is a very rare thing , I child is more likely to be accidentally killed by a relative with a gun in the home than accosted on a bus.

[@way2girly]

cavejourney it was also safer back then

[@LifeinLithuania]

@@way2girly they said in the video that crime, especially in big cities, is lower now.

[@gardenjoy5223]

What the USA calls free-range parenting in this video, is the normal parenting around the world. A parent doesn't have to constantly be there. As soon as the child is old enough, it can walk home alone from school, even if it is a mile away. No, don't get into a fit: I know there are some neighborhoods, that are not safe because of weird/aggressive people or because of traffic. But those are not the rule. There is nothing wrong with an eight year old going for three blocks from the house to buy some forgotten rice, while mommy is cooking. Pretending it is wrong, is absolutely rediculous and a sign of helicopter parenting, which is one of the worst ways of parenting, next to abuse. Now, some people call allowing your child to do whatever it wants when it wants it, also free-ranging. But that is something else completely. That is neglect, which is horrible for children as well. Kids need some guidelines and some rules to thrive. It teaches them to take responsibility for their actions from an early age on. To withhold that from them, is lack of parenting instead of another kind of parenting. To withhold schooling from children is sometimes called free-ranging as well and thus gets confused with allowing kids to go walk for a few blocks too. Unschooling is a dumb trend and not even a new one. The seventies in Europe were filled with such experiments and it didn't work out that well for most children, so people returned to proper parenting and proper education again. But I guess some parents didn't learn such valuable information and are repeating mistakes made by former generations. Since wrong parenting can really damage children and their chances in life, I advocate for formally teaching children some basic skills for raising a family. Say in forth grade and eight grade. Most of them will one day do it themselves. To learn from good and bad examples of others can save many kids a lot of hurtful experiences later in life.

[@artsysundae]

I completely agree! People tend to mix up neglect with free range, or “normal” parenting. It’s important to be around your children, but also to allow them some freedom. You can’t sugarcoat everything once you have kids. But it’s good to teach them to be respectful, safe, and have good manners.

[@daniabadeister1526]

Polydynamix So would you say Europe and Japan for example are "third world contry/continent" ? What you call "normal parenting" we would call "helicopter parenting", what you call "helicopterr parenting" we call Abuse.

[@gardenjoy5223]

No Polydynamix, you confuse normal parenting, in which children are allowed to experience under normal circumstances (and what this video weirdly calls free range parenting), with neglect. Raising children is all about teaching them to master their position in the world, whilst not damaging the position of others. Like Vigotsky taught us the zone of proximal development, taking the child to the next level by allowing him new experiences. I'm a fully trained pedagogue and Master of Education with decades of experience in the real world with children with behavioral problems. You can take my word for it. It is important to give children the freedom, that corresponds with the level of responsibility they are at. Keeping them under close surveillance will harm their self-respect. Without developed self-respect they will struggle to dare to undertake things in life. Once again: this applies everywhere, where there are no child predators waiting around every corner. Which is the majority of the world. Now my new neighbors didn't get this. Mommy dearest brings her 12 and 16 year old to the busstop, that is just 100 yards away from their premises in a rural area. She carries their backpacks and reluctantly gives those to them. How must her children ever cope in the world with such an anxious parent. She puts hindrances on their ways to maturity. So, no-one is talking about raising children the normal way and making that into an extreme. Exaggerating is such a poor style of argumentation.

[@gardenjoy5223]

Since I have lived over 5 decades in Europe in three different countries and have visited most of the other countries, I think I know what's going on there. Dani explained it correctly.

[@gardenjoy5223]

Poly, you seem to be sure of a lot. Keep on overshouting.

[@AwjeeASMR]

I don’t think she’s the “worst” mom that’s extreme

[@lydiaa5939]

yea i agree i live in the uk and everyone here goes to school by urself from like year 4 which is being 8 or 9 years old americans are very dramatic about things

[@peppermint2950]

lydia a tbh I wouldn’t say dramatic because anything can happen.. and it’s America soo. Please check your facts next time

[@lydiaa5939]

@@peppermint2950 yh because u guys have paedophiles casually walking around because ur justice system is so messed up

[@peppermint2950]

lydia a yes your right but you said we were dramatic so I don’t see your point?

[@peppermint2950]

lydia a and plus any place can have *pedophile* like for an example the uk ?

[@lisaemilyfox6848]

I agree with letting children Make their own decisions and allowing them to make mistakes. However it's about thinking about the risk, there are mistakes you can't afford for them to make such as falling off scaffolding and breaking your back or misjudging the traffic and being hit by a car.

[@2HRTS1LOVE]

Lisa Emily Fox Or being around truly dangerous people. MODERATION. I'm far from a free range parent, and my teenager is extremely independent. I know when he leaves home, he'll be fine to take care of himself, but he'll be in one piece, free from traumatic abuse because I watched over him. Balance, people, balance.

[@dhdbdbdhdj520]

Parents are worrying about the wrong thing, the most dangerous thing u can do with ur kid is put them in a car and people are not worried about that, seriously let ur kids live, everything we do has a tiny risk, children have common sense and can look after themselves, children have been roaming the streets centuries even when streets were safer

[@NotAnotherKuromi]

Lisa Emily Fox Exactly I didn't hear long term consequences mentioned at all. A broken bone might be a better lesson than just falling over & getting a graze. If a child ends up paralized they can't just shake it off & say they won't do that again.

[@timberbee1197]

Exactly ....

[@nonino1644]

Lisa Emily Fox The operative word is RISK. Some streets are deadlier than others and you can't judge by neat lawns.

[@sydneymviera]

No. The answer is no. If free range just means able to play outside by themselves, fine, but too often it means no rules. If it means no bedtime, no alarm clocks, no vegetables and no school, it's a bad idea.

[@TalesFromTheSlumsOfMumbai]

Sydney Viera OK boomer

[@smexyveggan7957]

Coramel210 it’s going to hinder their futures, and they won’t get proper discipline and experience. In true life, you can’t just do what you want. That’s not how it works. Independence is good but too much is bad.

[@angrycactus158]

Exactly! My mom lets me and my brothers do basically whatever we want after we do our chores, but we do have rules. We need to be home by sunset unless we call, in bed by 10:30, we have certain boundaries we can’t cross without calling, homework, etc. We can’t just run around with no rules.

[@jadethejaded.3703]

I like how you mention no vegetables lmao

[@shawnboahene5231]

@@cordeliarack-melton4323 not according to others many of the KZbin videos alone describe free range parenting this way. No school, no rules, let children decide because they know better. Very few parent on earth thinks independence is a bad thing or discourage it. Free range parenting is ill defined, is it simply letting kids ride by themselves or is it more than that

[@adasirkia4653]

wtf, does someone thing 8 or 11 is too young to cross the street alone

[@Jandancesofficial]

sadly, yes :( I have been called on for my 8 year old playing in my backyard. It's gotten truly ridiculous.

[@billybassman21]

Nope, there is actually per capita less crime. We just have a lot more news.

[@AidenExists]

Bonnie Sue E where do you live?! where I live, every day these 2 little kids, a boy aged 4-6 and a girl aged 3-5 walk ALONE to and from school (past my house), which is more than a km away, and that's for my big long 13 year old legs. me and my mother have actually thought about trying to find their parents and telling them off!

[@emilym4427]

Ada Sirkiä no but it’s too young TO BE DOWNTOWN ALONE

[@djidesoul]

Ikr! I started doing errands for my mom when I was 9. I would go two blocks away to the grocery. I was with my sister that was three years younger than me.

[@kindnesscupcakesandcrazy4720]

If they are together I don't see it being too big of an issue. I was an overly paranoid parent and now my 18 year old struggles a little with being independent. I wish I had met in the middle.

[@kindnesscupcakesandcrazy4720]

riikerman lol yeah unless you are in grade school and walking to school with friends and a friendly delivery guy says hi. My kid ran all the way to school and ran in to her class. She hid under the teachers desk. When she found her there the real fun began..... lol now she had a guy talking to her and looking in the window at her. Cops came..... etc. Long story short. I talked to an older girl that was with her and she said someone just said hi as they passed. Good grief. But she is super great in drama class now I guess.

[@avengemufasa7637]

I have a 23 year old friend who still lives at home, no high school degree, no job, severe anxiety. All because her mom was so overprotective and she never got proper socialization

[@jflsdknf]

Because kids have never been abducted when they're together? Beaumont children in Australia... Yeah it's unlikely they'll encounter an abductor but you think it's smart to take the risk? ok

[@patricejackson6718]

They're not that young especially at 11 years old! HE is definitely old enough to go out alone!

[@lucycubed84]

I live in Maryland. The video said they live in Silver Spring Maryland so trust me when I say an 11 year old is WAY too young to be alone in a place like that.

[@belleortega2083]

Exactly they are old enough. People need to stop budding in other people’s lives they’re not abusing their kids. People need to stop babying their children let them explore. It’s like would you rather them sit around all day watching tv or exploring their surroundings.

[@a.7889-v8f]

I agree! I live in Australia 🇦🇺 and when I was a kid (I'm 29 now) at the age of 11 myself and my friends that lived close to me would happily go down to the park and then explore whatever was at the creek and storm drains. I was allowed to walk the 3 blocks to school, all that stuff. We didn't even have cell phones back then to keep us in touch with our parents! It was basically, "Mum we're going down to the creek" and the response would be, "ok, just make sure you're back by dark" 😂

[@zph-nz8ck]

I know right

[@sweetpotato7778]

patrice jackson he can still get kidnapped

[@bosskeystore8694]

So to protect the kids from being kidnapped the police kidnapped them?...What is wrong with the world...

[@jasmines9812]

Joe Turner exactly

[@lucycubed84]

Trust me those police did the right thing. I live in Maryland and Silver Spring is NOT a safe or nice neighborhood. It actually used to be where all the rich people lived now it’s super unsafe and not child friendly. Those police did the right thing because in a place like that it was only a matter of time before those kids encountered some crazy druggie or something.

[@robbiedart7422]

Well the police taking them is safe as they have no maleficent motive unlike a kidnapper. Think before you type.

[@thatwittywolf419]

Robbie Dart Police have kidnapped people though.

[@thexvault]

LMAOO silver springs is not an unsafe neighborhood LMAOOOOOOO You must think SE is gahdamn baghdad

[@lisaemilyfox6848]

A couple of generations ago there were lots of children playing outside, walking home etc etc so it was safer. They looked out for each other and they knew what the boundaries were. It's just not like that anymore unfortunately.

[@Jandancesofficial]

the statistics say it's safer now. We're just more paranoid, because we see it on the news more, so we assume that's the norm.

[@sonay191]

statistics based off crimes reported, yes. Also, a lot of those statistics correlate with the fact that we are also much safer as parents and as children. Most people don't just let their 7 year old's walk around, back in the 70 for example there were a lot more children walking and roaming the outside which is why it was more dangerous.

[@Jandancesofficial]

Small towns: there are children everywhere around me. It makes my heart happy. Still 0 crime. Just because children are walking around doesn't make them unsafe. That sounds an awful lot like victim blaming.

[@Tiredmum]

Not even a couple of generations. I was doing it in the 1980s as were my peers

[@ela5746]

Exactly. I would rather take that risk and live a life then stay caged up in my home, or with a parent hovering over me, having independant potential robbed from me.

[@blackmos6]

America is the safest it's been in a long time. People still get kidnapped and killed and raped, its an everyday sad reality but you can't live your life in constant fear, People have died tripping and breaking their neck on the coffee table in the comfort and saftey of their own home. If death is out to get you, you gon die. Kids of helicopter parents have still been kidnapped, so watching your kids every move isn't always going to protect them. anyway, there is no one right way of raising kids. Everyone needs to stop freaking out everytime someone raises kids differently.

[@sonay191]

But there are wrong ways of raising kids.

[@redredmane5544]

I agree. Risks are an important PART of life. Every time you get behind the wheel, you run the risk of getting in a bad car crash. But that doesn't stop people from driving!!! Every time, you do something dangerous, you have to be careful, or you may get hurt. THAT'S LIFE!!! When a child gets on a bicycle, he or she runs the risk of getting hurt. But that doesn't mean that they should be forbidden to ride a bike!!! When a child ( or even an ADULT for that matter ) goes out into the world, he or she runs the risk of being kidnapped or sexually propositioned!!! THAT'S LIFE!!! It does not justify parents keeping their kids locked up behind double-deadbolted bedroom doors and barred windows!!! You know, I sincerely HOPE that God does not do "reincarnations!!" I don't WANT to be a child again if I'm going to have to be kept locked up inside the house while being told that I'm not "capable" of doing anything because I'm "JUST A KID!!!" Well, so much for "The Wonder Years."

[@angelwood5050]

Bob Smith No, good parents who watch their kids don't usually loose them.

[@darlenegreywolf7330]

Bob Smith safest maybe! Look at the news children of black mother's are being killed by their own mother's! So safer from strangers maybe but watch your back around your biological mother!

[@tentenbrothers4696]

never heard of that happening in my Asian country. I guess when you hear Asia you automatically think a certain specific percentage or 3rd world.

[@flamelily8750]

An 11 year old is old enough to take responsibility for his younger sister. In Africa there are children as young as twelve who are now the heads of their family responsible for younger siblings because their parents have died of Aids. I used to walk to school and home again from the age of 6. My junior school was just around the corner from our house so it was perfectly safe. I have heard of parents who were investigated by CPS because a neighbour complained that the children were playing in their own, fenced back yard without supervision For heavens sake how pathetic can you get. Their mother was at home she could keep an eye on them. When I was a kid we had several trees in our yard that I used to climb all the time. No doubt today we would have been taken into care because my mother allowed us to climb trees.

[@dre...289]

Mary Kennerley my dad is scared of me falling off a 3 FOOT TREE

[@ikoghoe]

In my part of Africa, as far as I know, there are no 12yr old heads of families with dead aids infected parents. But... Shock value noted.

[@kristinahollosi]

stop comparing american privileged kids to africa. african kids wouldn't want to do that if they didnt have to either and those who are born into this type of first world life will never be as self responsible at the same young age as in third world countries because just because they are capable of doing it there doesnt mean it's the right thing to do if you have the option to do it differently aka learn first, take advantage of your advantage. Ik what u were saying was just about an 11 yrs old walking alone with his younger sister but i hate when ppl compare things to africa all the time

[@EB-gt1pq]

Can’t compare American kids to African kids. Where I’m from in the Middle East children are often treated as adults.

[@lwakhanyangayeka]

Clearly the Africa that I live in is not the one that you are speaking of👀😂.. Also could you please broaden your views on Africa secondly in my country it's normal for children to travel alone via means of public transportation.

[@yaelfeder9042]

I grew up with a free range mom and helicopter dad. Not to mention my dad verbally and emotionally abused me while helicopter parenting me. Let me tell you, being with my dad as a kid was like being with a prison guard. I will be 21 in a month and haven’t spoken to him for nine moths. My mom and I are still close. So people, if you don’t want your children to loathe you, treat them respectfully and not like slaves. Take it from someone who’s been through it.

[@mirela3308]

I live in Bulgaria, Eastern Europe. It's maybe not the safest place but I started using the bus daily when I was 8 for 45 minute ride two times a day just by myself. Basically going through half the city i live in. Guess what? Im alive lol. Parents should absolutely control their kids but also let them do stuff by themselves

[@crisk75]

Hey! I live in Greece (neighbors) and I started walking to school when I was 11

[@evabortelova5066]

Same in Czech Republic.

[@Froggyx]

Same in Macedonia

[@joycerodriguez9041]

Yeah, but you're from Europe. Here in America is dangerous for a kid to walk alone. There are so many crazy people that can hurt children.

[@joycerodriguez9041]

Btw, kudos to the european culture. I completly agree that a child should be independent at a young age to learn about life. I'm 17 years old and I've never took a bus by myself. Overparenting is dangerous too (because of that, I suffer from Social Anxiety).

[@lindsaydeegan7215]

You know what, I grew up with a helicopter parent and sometimes I absolutely hated my mom for it! However, looking back I am so thankful that my parents gave me structure & kept me safe. You will have your whole life to be “free-range” please keep your kids safe.

[@thatwittywolf419]

Lindsay D Walking three blocks to get a gallon of milk is fine lol.

[@EB-gt1pq]

I have lots of structure, routine, chores and safety… But I let my children play outside alone without me. Just because we are not helicopter parents doesn’t mean we are a completely unorganized mess.

[@mrsturner8532]

I think the big issue here is not knowing the community. Back in the day most people knew most of their neighbors. Everybody watched out for each other. Today people can live on a block for over ten years and not know who is living next to them.

[@scarlettemarie6619]

No Name Agreed

[@mangopod01]

There needs to be a healthy middle imo. Don’t be strict but also don’t let your kid wander off and do whatever they want.

[@bomethia7412]

I have a helicopter parent, and while this does look appealing to my inner kid who *wishes* this is how I was raised, my grown self is seeing that there needs to be a middle. Don’t just let them go out into the world unprepared, but don’t helicopter them.

[@caster863]

At least educate them first.

[@corndawg15]

"Boy boils egg" 😂😂😂😂

[@naaatsuki]

Haha, when I was a kid I used to take a bus or go wherever I wanted (in Japan). It's such a pity kids are not allowed to roam around in the US... Let the kid take the subway, I don't think Manhattan is that dangerous - there are a plenty of people.

[@twdjt6245]

naaatsuki lmao you've obviously never been to New York then.....seriously as a small town girl when I stayed there for a few months about 10 years ago....I realized that people are so oblivious to other people when in public in ny, that, even as a young teen, I could probably fall down and break my leg right now and even though surrounded by people walking on the same sidewalk.....it'd probably take a few minutes to get help lol. That's why so many celebrities like it there...because most of them can walk down the street like normal people and nobody gives AF 😂

[@gabbiegrey3512]

Hes 9 and has never been to school or even had a proper education

[@pandora9199]

naaatsuki I did the same thing but then in Africa. I think some government's like to keep their people crippled by spreading fear. My mother allowed me to do so much more, in a very young age.

[@alonalove3118]

*Cushitic Emperess* not in africa ur lying u can't go and do whatever ain't no free range parenting there I'm from ghana

[@wolfmaster7225]

NYC is one of the biggest cities in the U.S. and can be dangerous. Kids could be abducted and/or killed. That's why I wouldn't allow my children to walk outside alone until they're about 12 and 13.

[@anon0268]

Try telling this to a Latina mom. I'm 21, and she refuses to let me go. 💀

[@asramezz]

Tota Lee fr

[@BxNcVsper777]

It's that empty nest syndrome 😂

[@hard-truthsbetter-than-swe6543]

all fun and games until they get kidnapped....a 6yo walking alone on the streets? No!

[@sweetpotato7778]

Treestump why would you let a six year old walk down the street by themselves? Bad irresponsible parenting

[@H20fanatic20]

I didn’t realize how bad this was and how many parents are helicopter parents. I can remember vividly my mom telling me to watch my brother and to be home before the streetlights come on. I was 10 and he was 7, and we were fearless. No one called CPS, no one asked if we needed help. And there was kids we played with. It was an amazing time

[@catherinecampbell1215]

There needs to be a good balance between freedom and overprotection when it comes to kids. I didn't ride the train alone until I was 18. At that time I had to beg my parents to let me do it. We had lived in the suburbs our whole lives and at the time, we lived forty minutes outside of Chicago. My parents were really scared for me to go on the train. I told them it made no sense that I couldn't go alone because my 16 year old friend took herself to basketball practice all the way on the south side. They finally agreed because they realized it was unfair seeing as though I was going to college soon. There was a train station outside of my high school that ran all the way to the city. The moral of the story is, you don't have to wait until your kids are 18 to let them ride the train, but at the same time, don't let your young kids fall from scaffolding.

[@tommyhalcomb7136]

Um yeah, I watched this playout in real time. Married a woman with 2 previous kids at ages 3 and 5. She never disciplined, allowed them to do whatever, trash the house, trash everything, skip school, no set bedtime, and allowing anything to eat. Now at ages 14 and 16 they don't go to school, lay in their rooms on their phones watching inappropriate content, tell her to eff off is she asks them to do anything, and basically turned them into wastes of life and will be living at home forever. Needless to say, I walked away and never looked back.

[@missxmarvel]

If kids are able to behave alone and not bothering others and know the dangers about stranger and ignore them when they are spoken to by someone they don't know then I don't see the harm in letting your kids be free.

[@sonay191]

Because the predator will kindly ask your child to get in the car..right?

[@missxmarvel]

Sonay1991 In most cases yes to earn the childs trust.

[@sonay191]

+Emma Frost and what I'd they don't care about that at all and decide to just drag you in their car?

[@missxmarvel]

Sonay1991 I've never seen that happen in a public place where there tons of ppl around. In quiet places it can happen but in crowded places the risks are too high that ppl will identify the predator. I believe in Free range It's better than make your kid un happy and feel trapped just to satisfy your own discomfort. That's not a childhood anyone should have.

[@sonay191]

+Emma Frost do your research please. Most abducitons take place in their way to or from school. Usually not very crowded. And yeah risk the life of your child so they aren't uncomfortable, seems so reasonable.

[@pistashleyo5897]

I’m in my late 20’s and I walked EVERYWHERE. Walked home from school with other neighbor kids and went home and waited for my mom to get off work. Always played outside and came home when the streetlights came on. This isn’t ancient. Now every kid needs a cell phone and fit bit to keep track of em 24/7. It’s crazy. But it’s where we are. We need a better balance.

[@dalpaengi]

I think black kids or children of color in general have to be careful with this sorta thing though because people could think you're getting into trouble when you're just outside playing. I dunno, but I was told to never wear a hoodie, to keep my hands out if my pockets and manage my facial expressions as I walked around the neighborhood. Just incase. My brother and I also introduced ourselves to the neighbors as needed, speaking well and remembering our manners - big ol smile on our faces. It was a predominately white area so..yeah.

[@mustwereallydothis]

dalpaengi, I know this is an old comment but I just have to say that it breaks my heart knowing what you say is so true. I can only hope things improve for future generations.

[@frossty8876]

dalpaengi yeah my mom always told me to never wear hoodies too But know I wear them all the time lol But it is sad

[@mustwereallydothis]

@joey flower I'm going to need a reasonable amount of peer-reviewed studies to back up your claims before I'm ready to put any weight on your opinion. I highly doubt you place any value on scientific, peer-reviewed studies, but, in all honesty, I couldn't possibly give a single f**k what you think. You have shown yourself to be a complete waste of skin with at the very most, a double digits IQ, so your opinion couldn't possibly matter less to me.

[@missbunni6604]

That's sooo sad and disgusting but is absolutely right about "white cookie cutter mini van" areas! Nothing more boils my insides than those judgey racists! This world is so messed up and everyday in reminded of it! It breaks my heart that anybody should have to live their life that way just bc their skin is only a darker tone...like wtf!?

[@acmulhern]

People freak out when they see an 11 year old walking down a busy street with his little sister in broad daylight? They're holding hands and crossing the road very carefully. But looking at the story of the cops locking up the kids who were walking back from the playground by themselves is shocking. They were way out of line and can you imagine how traumatised the children must have been? The police is there to protect, not scare children.

[@Lady.B0420]

This is great. I am a free range mother. There is nothing wrong with teaching our children independence and how to be safe on their own. Its called prepping to be an adult.

[@lizwilliams2097]

You can hardly call that lady world worst mom when in literally every other country this practice is COMPLETELY NORMAL!!

[@aleksandrakukulina6537]

I am 13, turning 14 now. I started traveling around the city all by myself when I was 8, I mostly used trolleys and buses back then making more then 30 minute rides all by myself. I live in a huge city and I am a girl, still my parents have a lot of work, so they just let me call them whenever I need help. I first started taking walks own when I was 7, these walks were short but I was all by myself. Now I can navigate perfectly no matter where I go; neither my parents nor me consider this 《Free-range》 parenting: it is just a convenient way for us to live.

[@user-km5op6cn4d]

Bring back the sixties. Great times! We were all free range.

[@Gos1234567]

jjcp292-lies,kids are safer now,child abductions is average 75 a year from millions,

[@Gos1234567]

Are you nuts?This is lazy or irresponsible,this is normal parenting,once again americans over reacting to sensationalized news.Just like the Satanic panic in the 80s,when parents freaked out over bullshit

[@Gos1234567]

I have 3 they are young adults now,I hope when they have kids theyll let them roam i as i let them

[@Gos1234567]

Age 10,only in busy areas,for short amounts at a time and never go near a vehicle,they would have a cellphone of course

[@Gos1234567]

Im from Dublin,Ireland child abduction is very rare here,more fear about pedos trying to meet kids online,Id feel safer them walking around in groups unsupervised than being online unsupervised

[@IDKIDK-lz8lm]

I'm latina and since i was 5 i took the bus by myself, stayed home alone until my mom and dad came from work and cooked. Nothing bad happend, i was always told by my parents not to go with anyone, if someone calls you dont reply etc...and IM ALIVE

[@KittySnicker]

In 2002, “free range parenting” was known as “I’m going outside, mom!”

[@JayNoodles]

Only if you lived in a real safe neighborhood.

[@kennedymeow]

The thing I worry about the most is disgusting child predators. Freaks that seek kids. I'm all for letting a child be independent, but there has to be a line drawn.

[@kennedymeow]

But there's still strangers on the streets grabbing kids. Just yesterday a boy in Texas was named a hero for saving a little girl that a creep ran off with. They caught the guy and he was arrested for kidnappimb.

[@kennedymeow]

The little boys name was TJ Smith. It was in Wichita Falls Texas. Some random freak took a 7 year old girl behind a vacant house. Google it. Not sure the bad guys name.

[@emmaransford]

I can relate to all the above. I was born in the 1970s. I'm in England obviously free range is the modern termology for carefree existence. I was fortunate enough to lead a carefree childhood. I grew up in a rural environment and have been very fortunate to be able to maintain my carefree spirit.

[@couch_philosoph3325]

I'm swiss and i went to kindergarden alone or with a friend at like age 4... In school everyone came by bike. In the winter, it is dark in the morning when you come and at about 5 o clock it's already dark; so even in like 3rd grade there were times when it was dark and i went home or to school.

[@thomastaber5491]

I keep hearing the argument "let the kids do whatever they want" and it is taken out of context. Because these parents are being responsible and teaching their kids to be responsible. Then they put them to the "test" on using what the parents teach them...responsibility, accountability and self worth

[@sweetpotato7778]

Thomas Taber so telling a six year old to walk to the store by themselves is responsible? I think that’s a great way to get your kids taken away so kidnapped

[@grayciii2554]

My parents weren't free range but they also weren't helicopter parents. They would give me and my brothers more freedom depending on trust and responsibility. Me and my brothers would do tons of crazy stuff and my parents never told us to stop. As I got older I was allowed to go on walks with my older brothers and go to the store with them to. Now I'm allowed to go all around my neighbor hood, go in to stores alone, and go to events alone. And I'm 13. I know it's not that free range but it's free range compared to other kids my age. Free range parenting is a great idea to give kids freedom, but with some restrictions and trust of course ☺

[@ak-ft1pq]

Watching this from the perspective of a German is very weird. I'm from a really big town and it's super normal for kids to ride the train/bus etc. I always used to walk to primary school (about 2 kilometers). Nobody would ever call the police about a schoolchild walking to and from school.

[@moth5655]

My brother and I (he was 10 and I was 12) took a bus downtown in my city to meet my mum at her work for lunch. We got a ton of strange looks and overheard people make hushed comments as they passed us. It was absolutely ridiculous, my brother biked home from school every day and I went to school in the centre of downtown. People seem so shocked when they see ‘kids’ doing anything remotely independent

[@RangerTrail]

I completely agree with this woman.... thats how I raised my daughter and she is a healthy happy 23 yr old now.

[@pythiacael3876]

suddenly remembered a friend of a friend. I met them when they were in their 20s and they still have a 'yaya' or babysitter that follow them around even as an adult. my friend told me that friend doesn't know how to use transportation at all. sad really. not allowed to move an inch without someone watching over them. that is an extreme example I know. I know a daughter that is joined to the hip to her mother and the only time they are of sight is when she is at school or grandma's house. She still feel anxious to use public transport by herself even though she is starting high school. worse her aunts scare her that something bad will happen to her if her mom is not there to there everywhere she goes. luckily her mom is letting her a bit of freedom now. Common sense and teaching our children to use good judgement is better than growing up as adult children. Unless parents are abusing and not providing for their children, strangers or non-family have no say how the parents raised their kid. Also, properly teaching children the hazard of the world is better than wrapping them in a protective wool.

[@trustworthy_hypocrite1838]

Though child abduction may be rare it's still possible. No one ever thinks it could happen to them until it does.

[@berrybevs6718]

My sister and I used to walk going to school by ourselves when I was in the first grade and my sister was in 3rd. We walk about 2 and half to 3 miles to school and then back home everyday. Our parents also taught us to fix our own breakfast, dress up on our uniform and do our own homework. I think they did an awesome job! I came from Asia and this is actually a common thing.

[@katefevre6222]

Have these parents abused them? Molested them? Emotionally neglected them? Starved them? That is worse !

[@TheFlutertutter]

Yes! Kids need to educated of the dangers of certain situations. Teach them ways to solve their own issues. I agree with this mom! So many kids my are afraid and unable to do simple things bc they were not raised to be independent

[@libertyann439]

I was walking to school as a first grader. School was a quarter mile away. My Jr. High school was about 3 miles. I encountered lots of things I never mentioned to my parents. I learned to handle myself. I am now middle aged.

[@kellerr13]

That's the way most of us grew up. Government and these new young nannystate parents need to stay out of it.

[@Bozewani]

yes they are called social workers counselors therapists special ed teachers FREEDOM from all of them

[@kylahortaleza]

haha but maybe that's not the way things are anymore. stranger danger is real. why can't you see the reality of things???

[@dekamidoriya2825]

I believe you should give your child the right amount of love, safety, and freedom.

[@victoriapalma4071]

I think kids should learn to be Independent and not rely on their parents but I also think that the risk of letting them do whatever isn’t a good idea

[@jenellelynn3090]

They say it’s safer and less crime now but is it “safer” because people started taking more precautions so there was less opportunity for bad things to happen so crime went down?? Genuine question.

[@nolastroup9625]

I started taking the subway by myself when I was 9 and so did my sister and my friends. It’s pretty normal to start taking the subway around 9-12 in Brooklyn and that was only 8 years ago.

[@fatassgimp4056]

no

[@ArcadianWizard]

Mr. Moseby noo

[@pandora9199]

Mr. Moseby Yes, Mr Moseby, yes! Give your child the chance to develop on time by letting your child discover the world. Don't cripple them!

[@Juvelqairth]

Yes

[@chadde01]

I was raised to learn to look after myself and I grew up in Chicago and I am teaching my kids to be the same way...there is nothing wrong with free range parenting or letting your child take the subway alone as long as they are aware of thier surrounding and never ask someone they dont trust for help...I feel that if they are going out on their own they need to have a quick form of communication

[@jahz323]

I dont think that she is crazy tbh. My mother is a single parent and growing up, she taught us to travel, to cook, to take basic care of ourselves just in case something was to happen to her starting around 8... I think it is a healthy thing to teach your child independence... you dont know how long you would be around or able to do things so the best thing you can do is teach them basic self sufficiency

[@vato2352]

Ummm he’s 11 years old with his 8 year old sister , they look fine to me crossing the street 🤦🏿‍♀️

[@InvestedLifestyle]

My parents let me fly alone from the Philippines to Hong Kong when I was 7 as an unaccompanied minor. I grew up to be independent and turned out just fine.

[@neva.2764]

I was 6 when my parents let me take a tram and a bus to go visit my grandparents 25km away. The first time my mother went with me to show me how to get there and from then on I was on my own. It was too early. It all went well but it has caused me quite some stress (will I get off at the right stop?). A year earlier, at 5, they let me go to the bakery in the morning to get breakfast. That was on holiday in France. 7 Streets from where we were staying and in a foreign language. Same here. I did just fine but now, 40 years later, I still remember the stress of forgetting what I was supposed to buy (4 different kinds of things). I'm not unschooled but my parents wanted me to be independant. And I am. If I would have kids I'd wait till the age of 9 or 10....

[@picardy7488]

People underestimate the ability of kids. Parents have to know their kids' abilities and level of comfort in trying new things. Getting lost in a store was terrifying for me when I was 4, but I was taking the subway by myself when I was 10. It's very liberating for kids to know they can do things on their own - kind of like how a bicycle can widen a kids' ability to get around without parents. It's probably more of a problem when young kids move in a group where they can get in trouble with their dares and one-upmanship. Nowadays kids have cell phones so parents can even follow their kids with GPS.

[@tonybutcher4762]

Too mant curtain twitchers out there calling the law .

[@therealdeal5844]

As a child, (im 13 now), I would play outside all day and was aloud to go anywhere on our quite, dead end street. I had an amazing childhood because my parents were able to insure that I had both freedom and safty.

[@jsppr640]

I feel like these children will be okay in life, they get out into the world, make mistakes, and correct them. Ive seen similar cases where the kids cant do anything, and can barely speak above a first grade level. Helicopter parenting can be damaging, but so can let you kids run free wherever they want.

[@ariel5341]

When I was growing up, I could basically ride my bike anywhere within a certain range from my house. My mom told me streets that I couldn't go past because they were busy (but sometimes I still did) and then as I got older my grid of freedom was extended and I could go places across town like my cousin's house. Her main rule was to be back home before the streetlights came on because she didn't want me roaming around alone after dark. I feel like she was protective of me but not overly so that it made me feel too afraid of the outside world. I guess it was kind of like "limited" free range because I wasn't allowed to leave a certain area on bike, but I also didn't really have any reason to at that age. This is most likely how I will be a parent as well, giving my kids freedom within boundaries.

[@poojawhatisthisbehaviour5562]

There needs to be balance. You can not be over protective, must not helicopter. But you can not let kids run wild with no supervision. When I was a child, I would go places myself, take trams and trains, but my parents also knew what not to let me do. These kids are doomed

[@cloviajackson3464]

I grew up in Silver Springs, MD in the 80s and we would walk through neighborhoods and across major highways unsupervised to get to the mall. Granted we were in groups, but us 9-12 year olds would be gone for hours, no cell phones or beepers. Thankfully we never had any trouble.

[@monsterlovefreak3]

They remind me of the children in Japan who take themselves to school like it was such a shock to see 6 yr old on a bus taking themselves to school but it's perfectly fine I do understand why she wants to encourage it

[@donnawoods8039]

Eleven years old is an okay age to let kids walk to school alone and cross streets.

[@jennamercury7625]

Turn them kids loose! Let them learn and grow!

[@derekronzo7015]

Only in America would this be considered news. This is so normal in most of the world. If kids that age don't know how to cross the street or walk to the park and back, or are too scared to do it then something is very wrong and the parents need to take responsibility for not teaching them how to do simple tasks and for not giving them the opportunities to build the confidence to try out something new. None of those kids in the video are that little. It if it was 4 year olds, then yeah I agree, it's a little too much for a 4 year old, but 8 and 11..seriously? I can just imagine a psycho mother like ,"Yeah, I know your old enough to be going through puberty, but mommy said you can't walk 2 blocks down the road to the park alone." Like, c'mon, this ain't news.

[@vishprasad06]

The parents are naïve. Yes, children getting kidnapped is a rarity. But as a parent, how can you take the risk of losing your child??

[@runbarryrun9815]

vishprasad06 But a kidnapping could honestly happen anywhere if your kids at school, if someone is holding their hand. Watching over your kid 24 7 is not going to help.

[@HeatheersVlogs]

Kids need to learn to be independent and this helps them become that. If you trust your children to be independent and this helps them do that. - I love that she’s sharing this with the world!

[@elise2182]

This is what's meant by 'free range' kids? I've just realised my sister and I were very much free range. However, I've just watched a video where the 'free range' children are allowed to crawl, scream, and fight everywhere, can cook and eat what they like, do what they like, CHOOSE WHETHER TO LEARN HOW TO READ AND WRITE or not, hit their parents, stay unwashed, destroy the family possessions... meanwhile their crackpot of a mother is a spokesperson for the movement and ENCOURAGES other parents to create little savages like her own. Talk about a misnomer!

[@Gcor239]

Omg I saw that. Now THAT was insane!

[@justinnaramor6050]

I know this reply is late, but I say what you were talking about is the 'extreme' version of free-range parenting. What was talked about in this video was not nearly as extreme at all; that mother was simply teaching responsibility and independence to the children, but not to the degree of absolutely neglecting education or anything to that degree of insanity.

[@janeebaaby]

I get their point and they can have their million reasons why they chose to parent this way, but Ultimately others are just concerned for the kids safety... Like imagine hearing you let your kids wonder the streets alone I'm pretty sure your first reaction wouldn't be " wow good for them". It's not easy in a world like this. Even at age 16 I was afraid to be in the streets alone. There must be a balance for sure.

[@Ruprect44]

I know a couple like this. They were the ones who first introduced me to the term "free-range parents" a year ago or so. "Self-centered assholes" is a more accurate term.

[@MRayner59]

Ruprect44 How is not smothering kids with your own overly protective, baseless paranoia being “self-centered assholes”?

[@Ruprect44]

***** I am speaking about this particular couple. Do you know them too? No? Just enjoy rushing to the defense of strangers whom you know absolutely nothing about?

[@khiyahillyard3290]

I don't see what he said as defending the individual couple. I think that he just thought that was your opinion of free-range parents in general after meeting this particular couple. If that isn't the case then you had no business mentioning your opinion of them because it is irrelevant to the story at hand. Rather it confuses others who comment here into thinking that your opinion is that all free-range parents are "self-centred assholes" with an example being this couple.

[@Ruprect44]

Khiya Hillyard " I think that he just thought ..." So you are going to chime in on what you THINK the guy who MAY have misunderstood what I was saying MIGHT have been thinking? Really?

[@missxmarvel]

I think the overprotective parents are self centered they only care about their feelings instead of training their kids to how to fight they force their kids to sacrifice their social life and proper metal development to satisfy their own discomfort. It will result in short tempered mess subconscious fear of the outside world insecure about them self and in worst cases severe depression in adulthood anxiety and late maturing. It's funny how overprotective nut jobs want to protect their kids from imaginary pedophiles and danger but they dot protect their kids from them self. You as a parent has the ability to make your kids into respectful independent adults or destroy them from the inside out much quicker than the so called dangerous world could ever do.

[@foxgroveforest982]

Overprotective parents need to back down, kids wandering around without adults is commonplace elsewhere. I wish I had a freer upbringing from the one that left me scared, wary of people snapping at me for the tiniest problem.

[@lorealmadonnamoore9828]

The best parenting decision I ever made was to not be one LMFAO 😂

[@jwilliams8931]

This was how I grew up, it was normal, I got myself into plenty of seriously dangerous situations, obviously I’m still alive, as much it would be nice to return to that, it’s hard knowing the risks. It’s good to find a balance between caring parenting and helping a child grow and develop resilience and independence. It did feel at times, that we were left to our own devices a bit too much sometimes.

[@zerazara]

"I played with a needle in the park, I got stung. Now I have HIV the doctor told my mom, so now I know I should not play with needles in the park."

[@judy-9999]

STRUGGLE: Personal struggles I'm HAPPY that I saw this video and that these women were/are so VERY BRAVE and lovely parents. And the supportive men are welcome!!! Thank you. I have five grown children and the biggest regret I have is "guiding them toward the safer decisions every time", to the result of making them afraid of making any choices, on their own, at all. FORTUNATELY I NOTICED this was happening, when my oldest child was about 6yrs & I took immediate steps to change my "parenting guidelines". It took me several yrs (4-5 more yrs) to make my personal changes, in these situations; it's very hard to change, EVEN when I WANTED TO & I knew it was The RIGHT THING to do!!! I want people to know "it's hard to change, so DON'T BE AFRAID, when you try to make changes and it's HARD, OR when other people MAKE IT HARD; that's NORMAL. It's ok it struggle, especially when it's towards making things better.😊😀😄🇨🇦

[@juliamorelikecoolia9617]

In the 40s/50s this happened all the time.

[@PraymoreMinistries]

Dude I'm a grown woman and i don't feel safe riding the subway alone sometimes...

[@austinm2817]

I sort of agree with them

[@d0r0thy]

My mom did this when I was 11. Gave me independence let me play around the neighborhood with other kids. It was fun and I'm glad she did.

[@SharonBurc]

Izzy is adorable and looks like a great kid

[@MissNebulosity]

If my parents hadn't let me roam the neighborhood, I would have seriously been completely incapacitated as an adult. It's important to take into account how society changes over time and that abductions are still an issue, but consider it with perspective. Dont just lock your kid down and never let them be independent. Supervise them during baby steps up to independence. Maybe take your kid and his friends to the mall and stay back like 100 feet given them the privacy and independence to make their own decisions, but give you the ability to observe and guide your child at the end of the trip. If your kid responds positively to the independence give him a little more independence. All these kids have to eventually be adults with common sense someday.

[@sassybatchz]

This all feels so normal to me lol I walked everywhere as a kid

[@EB-gt1pq]

Back in the 80s all parents were free range. It was a fun time to be a kid!

[@jjasmineluv]

Tbh this can go too far, like what if they get kidnapped while waking alone? IN THE DAM CITY!

[@vanessamejias388]

Until they get kidnapped the mother will understand to not let them out alone at a young age🙄

[@thezheani1434]

Kids: *Gets kidnapped* Mom: :O

[@leahbautista1618]

Idk i live in NYC, when I was 11 my parents starting letting me travel back home on the train by myself from Manhattan to the Bronx, so I see nothing wrong with this. A lot of kids, especially in the city, are very independent. That doesn't mean parents don't care about their children's safety, but my parents couldn't always pick me up from school, same with my friends. So going home alone on the subway at a young age is not very unheard of.

[@Norie1115]

This is a norm in a lot more other countries.

[@audikittycat]

Yes, I agree, but Silver Spring is not the best place to live, from experience, so I think letting them walk in streets at that age is dangerous.

[@magpie0_026]

Children: I wanna skydive without a parachute! Mum: it's ok as long as they're learning from their mistakes