The idea of free-range parenting isn’t really new if you ask me. In fact, 20 years ago, I’m pretty sure this was just called parenting. If anything, I’d say this new age of parenting where we are hyper-vigilant and protective of everything our kids are doing is the new concept, most likely brought on by a culture where we struggle to separate real dangers from ones brought on by fear mongering in the media, an onslaught of marketing for products that the big companies want us to buy and an intense desire to keep up with the Joneses.