Each week, Prudence asks readers for their thoughts on the letters she’s received. Her reply will be available every Friday only for Slate Plus members .

Hey Prudence,

Re Concerned : My wife and I were on the receiving end of a call like the one the letter writer is considering, except that it was 45 degrees outside and our 5-year-old, wearing her swimsuit, wanted to play outside with her two older siblings at the end of our cul-de-sac.

A neighbor had called Child Protective Services, who came to our house. In fairness, she was more concerned about the temperature. But as I explained to the CPS official, her mother and I were monitoring the situation from inside the house, and my daughter knew where to find her clothes if she got cold. The official agreed, had a little c

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