We’ve seen it with school lunches, and with kids allowed to play on their own in parks.  Now here’s one with parents who let their children walk home unsupervised.  A ten-year-old and a six-year-old allowed to walk a mile without their parents.  Shock.

You may agree or disagree with the approach that these parents take, but as I read the article, I’m impressed with the amount of thought and intentionality that has gone into their parenting.  They’ve let their kids walk short distances on their own.  They’re being deliberate about developing independence and responsibility in their kids.  They’re weighing risks and trying to manage those appropriately.

Now they’re also being investigated by child protective services for neglect.

There are lots of real cases of neglect and abuse, and the government has a role in protecting children in those cases.  This, however, seems to be a clear case of governmental overreach.  The primary responsibility for children’s safety lies with their parents, not the government.  Walking a mile home alone used to be routine for kids.  It’s certainly not without risks, but neither are lots of things kids do all the time.  As the mother in this case thoughtfully explained to the Washington Post,

“Parenthood is an exercise in risk management,” she said. “Every day, we decide: Are we going to let our kids play football? Are we going to let them do a sleep­over? Are we going to let them climb a tree? We’re not saying parents should abandon all caution. We’re saying parents should pay attention to risks that are dangerous and likely to happen.”

These parents know their kids better than the government does.  They’re better able to evaluate what those kids are ready for.  Let parents parent.