Early Addition: Before helicopter parenting, kids just used to get lost in the Rockaways

June 25, 2026 - 00:54

Before the era of constant phone calls and hovering parents, summer in New York City meant something different for children. They got lost. Not in a dangerous way, but in the vast, sandy expanse of the Rockaways. That is the nostalgic backdrop of a new memoir written by the city's first female chief lifeguard, a woman who spent her youth watching over the unpredictable Atlantic.

Her book dives into a world where independence was the norm and a sunburn was the only real risk. It is a sharp contrast to today's helicopter parenting, where every moment is tracked. The memoir is not just a personal story; it is a time capsule of a grittier, freer New York.

Meanwhile, the city keeps spinning in its usual chaotic way. Long Island golf fans are catching some serious flak for their behavior on the greens, with reports of loud and unsportsmanlike conduct ruining the vibe for everyone. In Brooklyn, a Whole Foods is set to open right next to the legendary House of Yes nightclub, creating a strange new intersection of kombucha and glitter. And in the deep blue sea, scientists are studying the complex dialects of sperm whales, discovering that these massive creatures have their own regional clicks and codas, much like human accents. The summer is shaping up to be a mix of salty nostalgia and modern absurdity.