Free Range Kids – Part II

When we returned home from DC, my amazon package was waiting. I had to finish Percy Jackson before I dove into the Free Range Kids book that I discussed earlier. Camille read it and remarked that the parents in it were just nuts. That should have been a good warning sign that I wasn’t going to love the book.

Why did Camille feel that the parents were nuts? Because of how extremely over-protective they were. Not only did I feel that I don’t worry about many of the things that the author said people shouldn’t worry about, some times I felt as though she worried more than I do about some things. She addressed some fears and concerns that parents have about letting their kids have some independence, but none were mine.

I was hoping that the book would open my eyes to how I could help my kids have more independence. How to insist to “authorities” that their independence is a part of growing up and not neglect on my part. I was hoping she would give me ideas on areas in which I could give my kids more chances at having more independence. I was hoping that she would help me to identify any fears that may be holding me back and how to address them.

She discussed how to have the kids do more around the house. I now think most people would be shocked at what my kids have to do. Granted, Camille is not out there running the lawn mower, but they do so much. Of course they pick up their rooms. They do the laundry. They take out the trash. They empty and load the dishwasher. They pick up, and not just their own things. They cook. Chloe chops. Camille boils and bakes (though I do draw the line at her taking food out of the oven while she is on skates). I don’t let them cook or chop or skate when I’m not home. Camille is so easily distracted into a book or game that I’m nervous (there’s one of my fears).

Since the author didn’t help me much, I am left in an uncomfortable place. I have to do explore what Free Range means on my own, without a guide! Can I send Camille two blocks down the street to the DC library on her own? Seems like something a 10 year old should be able to do. What do I fear? She knows how to cross the ONE street with the light. She knows how to behave in a library. I think my fear here is that she won’t be able to handle someone questioning why she is on her own!!!

I was disappointed to see that I am going to be required to sign my kids in and out of camp this week. I really thought that I’d try sending them together the 2.5 blocks in our sleepy little village each morning. I would be able to work; they’d build their sense of independence. Maybe I will talk with the camp director (a good friend of mine)…

Ah well, I’m going to keep working on this, for sure.