“Take Our Children to the Park…And Leave Them There Day”

I am a few months behind on this holiday and article but I was slightly surprised at it. You can read it here. I don’t think a lot surprises me. I live at home with 3 small children and on a daily basis am asked 1000 questions and good lord the things I hear them say to each other I wouldn’t want to repeat.

First off I allow my kids outside in the front and the backyard unattended. They know that I want them to stay in the yard and can come inside to “check in" or if they need anything anytime they want. I find that at times like these they are allowed to explore with little boundaries, they play some of their best imagination play and best of all they seem to get along together playing side by side.

But this thought they we should drop our kids off somewhere with no food, water, resources for emergencies (which do happen even in my front yard) strikes me as very unrealistic. While these children probley won’t be alone since other parents will be at the park is it fair that these parents have to watch these "free-range" children?

I think all parents have been at a park where children have been aggressive, rude and difficult. At times like these I know I wonder where their parents are and why aren’t they helping TEACH their children at these times how to share, how to be polite and cooperate.

The author of this article shares a very nice story of a large group of kids who all knew each other, who had an "unofficial" babysitter and food and money. This is much different than what she actually does with her own kids, what she recommends we do with our kids.

Is "free-range" parenting an easy way out? I know from my own parenting beliefs that Attachment Parenting is hard work.