At a park near my house on a hot summer day, my five-year-old and two-year-old discover the water fountain. They make a game of splashing water out and stomping in the puddle with their bare feet. Other young children try to join in, but parent after parent says "no" and takes them away, sometimes in tears. These unhappy parents look offended as they search for the lazy mom who must not know her children are causing trouble.

The Lazy Mom

I have become accustomed to letting my kids explore and play with little intervention at the park. They get to take some risks in a safe environment. I rarely tell them to be careful or not to get dirty. Not to brag, but I don't even freak out if the baby tastes a wood chip.