Free-range kids vs scheduled kids

Free-range parenting.  I hate that name.  It just sounds too weird for me.  However, the sentiment behind it I like. 


Let kids roam outside within boundaries set by parents.  Let them come up with their own activities, create their own adventures.  As opposed to having their days fully scheduled, one parent or the other hovering and deciding every tiny detail of a child's life.  Do this, not that.  Go here, not there.   I show my bias.


So much has happened in the last 20 to 30 years causing parents to become stalkers of their own children.  It was about the time my kids, now in their early 30s, were playing organized sports that the practice of putting kids' names on jerseys was banned.  Why?  It would give the perverts an advantage.


It also was about the same time cable launched 24/7 news coverage.  Local stories became national stories.  Fear became the measure of a good story.  Scaring parents grew into a cottage industry.


Is the world a more dangerous place than it was 30 years ago?  Tough one to call.  For sure we have more information than we did 30 years ago.  We know what CAN happen to our children because it happened to someone else's child.  Even when that child lived thousands of miles away, but also when that child lived close by.  The national Amber Alert is based on a nightmare that happened in the city where I raised my kids.  Amber was around my kids' age.  So maybe fear is a valid reason to reject free-ranging.


Another problem with letting your kids roam is who are they going to roam with?  Depends I guess on where you live.  In many places and neighborhoods, there just aren't other kids to hook up with.  Sure, you can plan play dates for your children.  But there you go, taking away any possible way of the child creating their own adventure in the great outdoors. 


Texas, by the way, appears to be a free-range parenting state as there's no statute limiting the age for children running loose. Of course if you point that fact out to Child Protective Services after your 3 year old is picked up toddling alone through the neighborhood, they likely will not be impressed. There also is no statute limiting the age of children left home alone.  Again, not advisable to leave tiny minors alone to change their own diapers.  Texas does have a statute that says you can't leave a child under 7 alone in a car for longer than 5 minutes.  Whew.


What's the takeaway?  Free-range parenting sounds weird and scary but has good points.  Scheduling children's outdoor activity can stunt creativity and problem-solving skills but has good points.  


Can we meet in the middle?  Let's start play dates for free-ranging!!