Free-range kids picked up AGAIN by police

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ug, just looked at the mother's twitter feed. She clearly views herself as an activist/martyr wedded to a "philosophy." She should think more about her actual kids and less about her personal projects and rigid identity as a "free range parent."

Parenting can be so monotonous without a little CPS and your own blog or twitter feed.

[Anonymous]

The guy who called said they were wandering around alone for 20 mins...so they weren't at the park. And they were meandering, not walking straight home. And they approached a strange man and asked to pet his dog...that's breaking the cardinal rule of not talking to strangers. These kids aren't equipped to be off on their own. This 911 call should be a wake up call for the parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't hover or follow my kids around. My kids play outside and have free reign on the cul de sac. My little kids can play outside with their older siblings, but the little ones cannot be a mile away from our home. My 11 year old can venture off with a few other neighborhood kids, but my 7 year old cannot.

I think it's truly odd that parents feel like letting very young kids play a mile away from home is somehow a critical developmental step in terms of fostering confidence and independence. There are many such mechanisms. How about let your kid order and pay for their own snack at Panera? We taught our kids from an early age how to read a menu, order and pay (and count change). That's a critical life skill. How about teaching your kid how to properly mow a lawn, rake leaves and shovel snow? Our kids can do this and now do it for neighbors. Great life skill.

I made the comment about what I consider selfish/lazy parenting because I've reached an age where I've witnessed a lot of selfish/lazy parenting justified as fostering independence or creativity. My pals who criticize organized sports and activities by citing too much pressure or not creative enough use excuses when the reality is that they don't want to be bothered with schlepping kids to activities and games because it cuts into their "me" time. These folks also tend to drink during their me time (cocktails as soon as they get home from work), so that's what prompted my comment. I'm not saying I think every parent does those things...but I happen to know a bunch of people who do...and I wonder if the Meitivs are those kinds of parents.

I don't think of a six-year-old or a seven-year-old as "a very young kid".

Also, if your pals don't want to schlep kids to activities and games because they want time for themselves, why does it matter to you? (And yes, it also shouldn't matter to them if you do want to do it.) I see nothing wrong, and a lot of things right, with telling my kid to go outside and find something to do because I'm busy inside.

And finally, if you've read or heard even one interview with Danielle Meitiv, you will know that the Meitivs have put more thought into their parenting philosophy than you and I put together.

I agree. I am not sure when it turned into bad parenting to tell your kids to play outside and come in for dinner. It is healthy for both the kids and parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ug, just looked at the mother's twitter feed. She clearly views herself as an activist/martyr wedded to a "philosophy." She should think more about her actual kids and less about her personal projects and rigid identity as a "free range parent."

Parenting can be so monotonous without a little CPS and your own blog or twitter feed.

Of course this is. I said early on it was a set up. They probably even called the post and had an attorney lined up ahead of time. I'm surprised an attorney would want to take this on, especially for free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't hover or follow my kids around. My kids play outside and have free reign on the cul de sac. My little kids can play outside with their older siblings, but the little ones cannot be a mile away from our home. My 11 year old can venture off with a few other neighborhood kids, but my 7 year old cannot.

I think it's truly odd that parents feel like letting very young kids play a mile away from home is somehow a critical developmental step in terms of fostering confidence and independence. There are many such mechanisms. How about let your kid order and pay for their own snack at Panera? We taught our kids from an early age how to read a menu, order and pay (and count change). That's a critical life skill. How about teaching your kid how to properly mow a lawn, rake leaves and shovel snow? Our kids can do this and now do it for neighbors. Great life skill.

I made the comment about what I consider selfish/lazy parenting because I've reached an age where I've witnessed a lot of selfish/lazy parenting justified as fostering independence or creativity. My pals who criticize organized sports and activities by citing too much pressure or not creative enough use excuses when the reality is that they don't want to be bothered with schlepping kids to activities and games because it cuts into their "me" time. These folks also tend to drink during their me time (cocktails as soon as they get home from work), so that's what prompted my comment. I'm not saying I think every parent does those things...but I happen to know a bunch of people who do...and I wonder if the Meitivs are those kinds of parents.

I don't think of a six-year-old or a seven-year-old as "a very young kid".

Also, if your pals don't want to schlep kids to activities and games because they want time for themselves, why does it matter to you? (And yes, it also shouldn't matter to them if you do want to do it.) I see nothing wrong, and a lot of things right, with telling my kid to go outside and find something to do because I'm busy inside.

And finally, if you've read or heard even one interview with Danielle Meitiv, you will know that the Meitivs have put more thought into their parenting philosophy than you and I put together.

I agree. I am not sure when it turned into bad parenting to tell your kids to play outside and come in for dinner. It is healthy for both the kids and parents.

maybe she should stop orchestrating every moment of these kids life... she is manic

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The guy who called said they were wandering around alone for 20 mins...so they weren't at the park. And they were meandering, not walking straight home. And they approached a strange man and asked to pet his dog...that's breaking the cardinal rule of not talking to strangers. These kids aren't equipped to be off on their own. This 911 call should be a wake up call for the parents.

He said he followed them from the moment they left the park. Maybe they took the long route, or were walking slowly, or that's how long it normally takes them to walk home.

What he did was stalking, but since his intentions were pure, it's okay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ug, just looked at the mother's twitter feed. She clearly views herself as an activist/martyr wedded to a "philosophy." She should think more about her actual kids and less about her personal projects and rigid identity as a "free range parent."

Parenting can be so monotonous without a little CPS and your own blog or twitter feed.

Of course this is. I said early on it was a set up. They probably even called the post and had an attorney lined up ahead of time. I'm surprised an attorney would want to take this on, especially for free.

I agree it is a set up. Most lawyer are whores. It's just free publicity for his firm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The guy who called said they were wandering around alone for 20 mins...so they weren't at the park. And they were meandering, not walking straight home. And they approached a strange man and asked to pet his dog...that's breaking the cardinal rule of not talking to strangers. These kids aren't equipped to be off on their own. This 911 call should be a wake up call for the parents.

There is NO doubt in my mind the guy who made the call was going to back peddle and make the situation sound so much worse. He initially said the kids were walking alone close a park. I bet he is embarrassed now that most people are saying how insane it is to call 911 on kids walking home from a park.

[Anonymous]

Is not talking to strangers really a cardinal rule? We haven't taught our children that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is not talking to strangers really a cardinal rule? We haven't taught our children that.

Obviously it is. These kids approached a stranger so he called the cops on them. It's a very dangerous thing to do, as we can see.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is not talking to strangers really a cardinal rule? We haven't taught our children that.

Why yes, Mrs. Meitiv, that is the first thing you teach kids before dumping them off at a playground when they are 6 and 10 (and tiny).

[Anonymous]

I think its strange the 911 call didn't mention the suspicious homeless man.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

No one will call the cops if kids are playing in a front yard...whether it's your yard or the neighbor down the street...because common sense dictates that a grown up is in the house or within earshot. The same is not true when kids are a mile away from home in a non-residential area (in this case, in front of a parking garage). A reasonable person did not see any adults around, and there weren't any houses nearby...just a busy street.

Have you ever been there? Fenton Street is not a busy street.

I also don't understand the fear of non-residential areas (and parking garages! yikes!)

Not to mention that there was at least one adult around, namely the guy who called 911.

I live a block from there. Fenton Street IS a busy street. Meaning, there are a lot of people around all the time.

Agreed. Fenton Street is a busy street in terms of foot traffic. But not in terms of car traffic, which is what the PP meant, I'm guessing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is not talking to strangers really a cardinal rule? We haven't taught our children that.

Obviously it is. These kids approached a stranger so he called the cops on them. It's a very dangerous thing to do, as we can see.

In a helicopter's mind, yes. That is why kids can't look adults in the eyes or talk legible that people can understand them. But they are "safe"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

No one will call the cops if kids are playing in a front yard...whether it's your yard or the neighbor down the street...because common sense dictates that a grown up is in the house or within earshot. The same is not true when kids are a mile away from home in a non-residential area (in this case, in front of a parking garage). A reasonable person did not see any adults around, and there weren't any houses nearby...just a busy street.

Have you ever been there? Fenton Street is not a busy street.

I also don't understand the fear of non-residential areas (and parking garages! yikes!)

Not to mention that there was at least one adult around, namely the guy who called 911.

I live a block from there. Fenton Street IS a busy street. Meaning, there are a lot of people around all the time.

It depends on the time of day. On a weekend it will not be as busy. There are people around but not like a few blocks away. That parking lot, at least a few years ago is not very safe. I used to work there and park there. Our employer gave us the parking passes. Before dark, if we worked late, we would move our cars to a more visible part on the street or go in groups. Before I arrived, I was told of a rape. One car was stolen from that lot and cars were constantly broken into it.