Editorial: Let our children roam

Parenting is a relatively novel term for what humans have done since the dawn of humanity - keep their progeny alive. These days, it comes with a long list of confusing rules that often conflict with each other.

Let kids have independence, experts say. Put them on their bikes, strap on a helmet and send them out into the neighborhood. Or to school. By themselves.

On the other hand, in some places, giving a child the ability to move freely can still land a parent in court, or even on a child abuse and neglect registry.

Is it any wonder today's parents are anxious? And that their anxiety spreads to their children?

A recent story out of Virginia reported by Reason tells of Karyann Parkinson, a Virginia mother who was convicted in August of contributing to the delinquency of a minor after letting her 5-year-old son walk about half a mile alone in their gated community. After a security guard noticed him, the boy was brought home, police and child protective services showed up, and the system threw the book at Parkinson.

Here in Illinois, we've had cases of our own that echo Parkinson's tale.

In 2018, a neighbor called the police on Corey Widen of Wilmette, who had let her then- 8-year-old walk Marshmallow, the family dog, around the block. The Department of Children and Family Services launched an investigation, but dropped it weeks later after concluding the case was "unfounded."

Five years earlier, Natasha Felix, a Chicago mom who let her three kids - ages 11, 9 and 5 - play alone at the playground next door as she monitored them out her apartment window, received a child neglect citation. She subsequently lost her job because of it and was prevented from helping out as a volunteer at her children's school. Two years later, in 2015, an Illinois Appellate Court threw out the citation.

Eventually, Illinois law changed. State lawmakers in 2023 passed a Reasonable Childhood Independence Law making it clear that parents can allow their children to enjoy reasonable freedoms like walking to school, playing outside or staying home alone for short periods. Virginia passed a similar law around the same time, but Parkinson's case suggests parents can still face legal jeopardy under other provisions of state law.

With summer heat dragging on into September, we can imagine many Chicagoland kids would do well to exercise their freedoms, unimpeded by their parents and guardians.

Letting them do so not only offers a good time in the short term, but greater confidence and resilience over the long haul.

"You want to know what's beautiful - really grabs you, makes you want to cry with joy? Watching a 5-year-old walk eight blocks to school all alone," said former Chicago Mayor and former U.S. ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel in January. His remarks reflected his observations about differences between the U.S. and Japan as relates to childhood independence.

Of course, parents have to take into account legitimate safety concerns in their neighborhoods as well as their children's ages and maturity. But kids respond well to trusting moms and dads.

The helicopter parents may rest easy knowing their little ones are unharmed today, but too much hovering prevents children from later learning how to navigate the world on their own.

"I can do it myself" should be music to parents' ears.

_____

Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.

This story was originally published September 8, 2026 at 6:12 AM.