Gillette - the best a Mom can get

Read this book--Mommy said you could. - Penn Jillette, Penn and Teller, on Free-Range Kids, How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children (Without Going Nuts with Worry)

Library Journal Starred Review - Skenazy flies the black flag of America’s Worst Mom, a title this syndicated columnist and NPR commentator earned by allowing her nine-year-old son to ride the New York City public transit alone in 2008. Here, she puts parents? fears to bed by examining the statistical likelihood of the dangers we most fear (murder, baby-snatching, etc.). Drawing on facts, statistics, and humor, she convincingly argues that this is one of the safest periods for children in the history of the world, reiterating that mostly, the world is safe and mostly, people are good. Even the lowest-flying helicopter parents would have trouble disagreeing that we have entered an era that says you cannot trust yourself. Trust a product instead. Skenazy argues that it’s time to retire the national pastime of worrying and that childhood is supposed to be about discovering the world, not being held captive. The obvious has never been so hilarious.

Is It Just Me?: Let’s Stop Scaring Our Kids
Vilified for letting her nine-year-old ride the New York City subway alone, our author implores: let's stop scaring our kids 

... How did it become too scary to let kids be kids? 

“TV,” says Trevor Butterworth, an editor at the media watchdog group stats.org. “Cable TV exists to scare the pants off you.” That’s how it gets you to stay tuned. And what is scarier than a kidnapped kid—no matter how far away?

Why Sesame Street Used to Be Adults Only

Skenazy points out that in the West our children's lives are safer in nearly every respect than ever before. So why do we treat them with such "kid" gloves and deny them basic freedoms. In this video she shows how even Sesame Street was terrifying at the time it came out.

Children’s TV has changed so much that a preschool classic on DVD now carries a warning 
According to an earnest warning on Volumes 1 and 2, Sesame Street: Old School is adults-only: "These early Sesame Street episodes are intended for grown-ups, and may not suit the needs of today’s preschool child." Say what?


How children lost the right to roam in four generations

When George Thomas was eight he walked everywhere.

It was 1926 and his parents were unable to afford the fare for a tram, let alone the cost of a bike and he regularly walked six miles to his favourite fishing haunt without adult supervision.

Fast forward to 2007 and Mr Thomas's eight-year-old great-grandson Edward enjoys none of that freedom.

He is driven the few minutes to school, is taken by car to a safe place to ride his bike and can roam no more than 300 yards from home ...