American Journalism

PARENTING/TODAY: I Left My 9-Year-Old at Bloomingdale's to Find His Way Home Alone in NYC
My son kept begging for the chance to be "left" somewhere so he could figure out the subway and bus he'd need to make his way home. So on a sunny day two weeks ago, I left him at a Bloomie's perfume counter here in New York, with a MetroCard and $20 for emergencies. Naturally, he made his way, no problem (we live in Manhattan). He was happy, I was happy; but some friends think this was tantamount to child abuse. Since New York City is as safe as it was in 1963, I don't see why we keep our kids penned up as if this is Baghdad. But I'd like to hear your thoughts on whether we baby our kids too much.

Although this is not much of an inquiry (as in what sort of credible experts is this reporter hoping to find with this profnet), it is a fine illustration of excellent parenting. If more parents did this, it would teach their kids self-sufficiency and street smarts in addition to exercise (nothing gets the heart rate going like running from Crackhead Jerry on the corner). Unfortunately, most kids will be learning to navigate the streets while picking up hookers and blowing up cop cars in Grand Theft Auto IV which comes out next month. At least they'll be getting their street smarts from somewhere.