Comments on: Growing older faster, but without any of the benefits of independence

By: Candi Criddle

Candi Criddle — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:23:42 +0000

Thanks for this. My oldest is in Kindergarten and the school requires parents to drop off and pick up which is good for a five year old, but I was even wondering if I’d ever let him walk to school by himself. I’ve even read “Freakonomics” where it semi explains the crime rate drop, I still can’t internalize that.
When I was a kid (in the 80s) my brother and I used to get ourselves lost in the woods behind our house on purpose just so we’d have to find our way back home with our wits and little compasses.
It’s good to remember the things I loved about childhood are things I shouldn’t take away from my children.

By: Alexa

Alexa — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:55:27 +0000

I grew up in a tiny village in England and so had loads of freedom I’d love my son to have the same kind of childhood but I doubt he will. Even though I’ve read the statistics I still don’t want him out alone (when he’s old enough, he’s only a baby) I think is a combination of the news so we hear about things our parents wouldn’t have and what other parents are doing.

By: Laura

Laura — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 00:46:50 +0000

I can’t find the quote now, of course, but I’ve read Skenazy say that crime rates for kidnapping and stuff are actually way down from the time that these kids’ parents were growing up. So, the parents get all freaked out and say, “But things were so much SAFER when I was a kid!” … but they weren’t. It’s better now, we just have more 24 hour news channels looking for something to get worked up about.