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This is episode 52 and today I’m here with Lenore Skenazy talking about free-range kids.
Lenore Skenazyis co-founder and president of Let Grow, a nonprofit promoting childhood independence and resilience. Ever since her column “Why I Let My 9-Year-Old Ride the Subway Alone” created a media firestorm, Lenore has been declaring that our kids are smarter and stronger than our culture gives them credit for. She is the author of Free-Range Kids, the book-turned-movement that got her the nickname, “America’s Worst Mom.” At Let Grow, Lenore oversees school programs, an online community, and legislative efforts all promoting the idea that when adults step back, kids step up.
Plus, for the record, she used to write for Mad Magazine! A point of pride.
Adventure of the Week & Our Little Obsession
I share our purchase of a hot tub, which brought a favorite component of our travel adventures home.
Highlights
Fears: We walk through some of the most common fears that are actually unfounded.
News/Experts: We discuss why it seems like the world is so much more dangerous nowadays when it’s actually safer.
Control: We speak to parents who are too focused on controlling their children in the name of protection to see the irony that they are making their kids less competent, confident, and in turn safe.
Blame: We offer advice for overcoming the fear of mother blame.
Collaboration: We discuss how to respond if your kids want to do something that you feel unsure about.
Relax: We share times when we had faith in our kids and it paid off.
Q & A
We answer the question “How can I maintain my free-range parenting during a pandemic?”
Dive Deeper
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