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I can not imagine doing this with my 11 year old......see her premise...but must admit that in my former life, I was a helicopter parent, don't regret it one bit.
Anywho, I like this idea. I often think that all of these sports leagues, organizations, etc. take a lot of the fun out of childhood. Kids are never allowed to just be kids anymore, it seems. There are always adults around setting rules and telling them what to do, how to play, setting start times and end times for everything. That sounds more like work than fun!
My favorite moments from childhood were all the things I did when I was "out". Remember curfew being when the street lights went on.
I love this idea.
All the kids were out playing in the street tonight until 10 pm. They had a blast, telling ghost stories and trying to scare each other and the parents were indoors together all enjoying a nice drink and some adult conversation instead of constant babysitting.
I really admire what this lady is trying to do -steer us away from over parenting. I understand the instinct to protect our kids, especially as we tend to have only one or two instead of lots, but the pendulum has swung way too far. Many parents just seem to live through their kids and want to wrap them in cotton rather than let them experience childhood as a way to adapt to both the good and the bad.
A parent who constantly hovers over their children. It can range from the parent who intervenes and directs their small childs play constantly to the parent who attends their adult childs job interview (and yes, this has happened).
an 11 year old is more then old enough to be at a park by themselves...
There were a lot of kids in my neighborhood growing up. From the time i was 8 or so my parents let me wander. Be home at 5 PM for dinner and come home (or call home) at dark. That was about it.
I can't imagine living anywhere where my 11 yo child couldn't just hop on their bike and go to a local park, fishing hole, play "army" in the woods, etc.
I live near a quick check and I always see kids around this age going together to get snacks/sodas. I LOVE IT. There is also a school near me with a ball field and I see groups of kids playing baseball with no coaches, no parents. They just show up with their gloves I guess. It makes me really happy to live where I do.
A couple of years ago she did a similar story on letting her son ride the subway alone. People were also split then - some applauding, others calling it abuse! There's no point living in NYC and NOT letting your kids ride public transportation.
[quote=AnthonyB;14284398]My favorite moments from childhood were all the things I did when I was "out". Remember curfew being when the street lights went on.
That's so funny! Growing up in Canada in the dead of summer, the sun didn't go down til 10-10:30pm.
We all had to wear wrist watches to know when to come home. Imagine how "nerdy" we all looked. 10 year olds wearing these big old goofy watches
Then our parents would hang old army blankets over our bedroom windows to keep the sun out!
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