This week, I sat down with the one and only Lenore Skenazy — the “Free-Range Mom” who made headlines as “America’s Worst Mom” after letting her 9-year-old ride the NYC subway alone. We dove deep into the cultural shift that’s replaced neighborhood play with constant supervision, how fear-driven parenting is feeding the kids’ mental health crisis, and why the most powerful antidote to anxiety is actually giving kids more independence. Lenore shared hilarious stories, jaw-dropping stats (spoiler: the kidnapping fears don’t match reality), and actionable ways to bring back trust, freedom, and joy to childhood — starting in your own neighborhood. This conversation will make you rethink the rules, roll your eyes at the fear-mongering, and maybe even send your kid to the store for Skittles.

Timestamps:

(00:00:53) Childhood Independence Laws for Free Exploration

(00:16:28) Promoting Childhood Autonomy for Mental Well-being

(00:25:18) Empowering Children Through Independence and Resilience

(00:25:19) Promoting Childhood Independence: Overprotection's Impact

(00:30:23) Promoting Social Skills Through Independent Play

(00:30:34) Empowering Children through Independent Play Movement

(00:35:24) Shift from 'Benign Neglect' to Overprotection

(00:44:58) Childhood Independence Laws and Let Grow Initiatives

(00:44:58) Reasonable Childhood Independence Law for Advocacy

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