The Home Alone Question

When I was 10 my parents and grandparents thought I was old enough to stay home alone. But then after almost cutting off my thumb on a power saw (I believe I stopped the bleeding by promising God I'd stop being mean to my sister) it was awhile before I was home alone again.

In general though, it is a question of maturity and therefore boys and men should probably never be left alone but girls are probably fine around 8.

See NPR: Home Alone: Is Your Tween Ready?

That Teenage Feeling

USNews: How to Deploy the Amazing Power of the Teen Brain

...experts now are realizing that the popular parental response—to coddle teens in an attempt to shield them from every harm—actually may be counterproductive.

This is why I call my parenting style "boundaries for failure".

Free Range Kids, Not Open Range

Via NPR: Texas Boy Hits Toy Mother Lode

A 4-year-old boy in Beaumont, Texas, apparently couldn't wait for Christmas. He unlocked a door at his home around 3 a.m. and walked into the street. He reached the the Family Dollar discount store on the other side and started trying doors. The store was closed, but somebody had left one door unlocked — which explains why, when police responded to the silent alarm, they discovered the boy eager to show them all his new toys.

Proof That Kids Are Coddled Today

A Chemistry Kit For Christmas?

A generation ago all the kids had chemistry sets. Today they're thought to be too dangerous by most parents.

Not to worry though, MAKE has released The Chemistry gift guide.