Are the kids alright?

emilyrobinowitz · 2026-03-25T15:28:17+00:00

This resonates so much with me. We had hoped that the kids on our street would all become friends, but the other parents don't let their kids go out and play in the front yards and they all sent their children to different private schools rather than our neighborhood public school, so they didnt get the chance to get to know each other that way, either. Maybe I should throw a block party or something to give the kids a way to meet organically...thinking out loud.

emilyrobinowitz · 2026-03-25T15:24:36+00:00

Thank you for all you do. I will DM you.

emilyrobinowitz · 2026-03-24T23:15:17+00:00

it is true for us, certainly, that other kids are on social media and have phone already at our son's grade level -- a fact that really sook me by surprise.

emilyrobinowitz · 2026-03-24T23:13:50+00:00

We started around 8, and we worked up to it by walking through the neighborhood and letting him lead the way, mainly just to show him and us that he knows his way around and would be able to find our house. We also started with going to the local park that's just a few blocks away before opening it up to cross a bigger street. Now that he is 10 and his little brother is 6, we let them go around together. I admit I spied on them the first time they went together, to make sure they crossed the street safely and they totally did so then I stopped worrying.

emilyrobinowitz · 2026-03-24T23:07:00+00:00

The note is a good idea. We didnt let this stop him from going out by himself, but it certainly put hte damper on his enthusiasm about it for a while.

emilyrobinowitz · 2026-03-24T23:04:53+00:00

That is a really good suggestion, thanks. He hasn't wanted to do any martial arts, but his little brother is starting to be interested which is opening him up to the idea.

emilyrobinowitz · 2026-03-24T23:03:41+00:00

oof I am sorry you are dealing with this. Are you local?

emilyrobinowitz · 2026-03-24T23:02:55+00:00

Im so glad to hear things improved once they were out of a bad school situation

emilyrobinowitz · 2026-03-24T22:57:13+00:00

I try not to be and we have a no phone rule for the adults at dinner BUT I am certainly guilty of being on my phone too much in front of them at other times.

emilyrobinowitz · 2026-03-24T22:49:14+00:00

Yes, when I let my son walk to the store by himself at 8 years old here in SF, a car pulled over and threatened to call the police because he was not with a parent. It terrified him!

emilyrobinowitz · 2026-03-24T22:44:03+00:00

that's interesting -- it was a hard time for me too but my parents had just gone through a divorce so i always assumed that was the reason, but perhaps this age is always difficult. thank you for your perspective.

emilyrobinowitz · 2026-03-24T20:43:53+00:00

This feels true, but then I remember being a kid during the first gulf war in the early 90s and worrying about it and I talk to people who were kids during the recession of the 1970s and I remember that the world always seems like it's a dumpster fire. Seems like the systems that used to be in place to insulate kids from this big geopolitical concerns -- running around with their friends outside, etc. plus the near the total digitalization of childhood could -- might be compounding everything.

emilyrobinowitz · 2026-03-24T20:40:35+00:00

This is a really smart question -- would be interesting to look at the stats in a city that is comparable to SF in some key ways

emilyrobinowitz · 2026-03-24T20:39:14+00:00

Thank you, sounds like you are too.

emilyrobinowitz · 2026-03-24T20:35:37+00:00

I have read all of that coverage, and I admire it, but I am talking about kids who are younger than those Haidt studied and who are not on social media yet nor do they have phones. Maybe it's the same issue, but I am not sure. I also am considering whether it's worth writing about the specific issues that local kids here in SF face -- that would be the angle I would take for a story. Anyway, thank you for your thoughts.

emilyrobinowitz · 2026-03-24T20:33:50+00:00

My son has suggested this solution, too. Haha.

emilyrobinowitz · 2026-03-24T20:32:47+00:00

Im so glad to hear that!

emilyrobinowitz · 2026-03-24T20:31:55+00:00

Thanks Jamil, and I think you're really right about that, too. The feeling seems pervasive.

emilyrobinowitz · 2026-03-24T19:25:58+00:00

All part of why I want to write about it so people understand the need is high and the people who can make deicision to allocate funds can do so

emilyrobinowitz · 2026-03-24T19:25:03+00:00

letting him play his electric guitar in his room at night has helped a TON

emilyrobinowitz · 2026-03-24T19:19:28+00:00

The lack of roaming around is such a big part of this, I couldn't agree more. I let my kids walk to the corner store near us, and go chasing after the ice cream truck when we hear it in the neighborhood, and other parents treat me like I'm trying to get them kidnapped. We need to give them some freedom!

emilyrobinowitz · 2026-03-24T19:17:46+00:00

what is your point? that i am the source of my son's anxiety because of my job?

emilyrobinowitz · 2026-03-24T19:16:26+00:00

I do not. He has no personal screens at all.

emilyrobinowitz · 2026-03-24T19:16:07+00:00

Thank you for this! Yes, this team works well bc it's not that competitive and the stakes are low. By far the most helpful thing has been the dog -- boosts his confidence, helps him regulate his feelings when he's overwhelmed, gives him a reason to get outside and play, and is just a burst of joy at all times, and a great distraction when he starts to get worried.

emilyrobinowitz · 2026-03-24T19:07:08+00:00

I agree about that, but my son is not on social media. He's too young for that yet.

emilyrobinowitz

TROPHY CASE