The pressure to be the perfect parent and create the perfect environment for your kids to grow feels pervasive for many modern parents. Because of this, many caregivers have had the thought that they are the world’s worst parent. However, that title belongs to Lenore Skenazy, president of Let Grow and founder of the Free-Range Kids movement (and book), who was once nationally dubbed "America's Worst Mom". On this episode of POTC, Yael and Lenore discuss the data behind how trusting your kids more and giving them more independence allows them to better grow into capable, confident, and happy adults. Join us in this advice-packed episode to learn about what’s actually risky for your kids, strategies for trusting your parenting skills more, methods for unhooking from perfect-parenting-pressure, and much more, today!

Listen and Learn:

Yael and Jill’s experiences with stigma and conforming to social norms when it comes to raising their kids

Important social and personal changes for Lenore since the release of the first edition of Free-Range Kids

Practical advice for the parents worried about their children’s safety in social contexts

Lenore defines the “worst first thing” and provides expert advice on how to respond to that tendency

Evidence-based and time-proven strategies for shifting your perspective around what’s actually risky for your kids

How to begin trusting your parenting instincts and thriving in your role as a parent

Expert-approved tips and tricks for incorporating more approach and less avoidance behavior in your parenting repertoire 

The data that supports the free-range kids movement and having faith in your own parenting skill sets

Lenore’s expert advice on unhooking from pressure around being the perfect parent and relating to your kids as people

Resources:

Read Lenore’s book, Free-Range Kids and check out the Free-Range Kids movement as well!

Get involved in Lenore’s non-profit, Let Grow, and check out the FREE resources at the Let Grow Play Club! 

Check out Jonathan Haidt’s work, The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure and The Fragile Generation

Check out Debbie, Yael, and Jill’s websites to access their offerings, sign up for their newsletters, buy their books, and more!  

For a hilarious view of free range partnering, check out this SNL clip

About Lenore Skenazy:

Lenore Skenazy, graduate of Yale University and Columbia University and formerly named "America's Worst Mom", is president of Let Grow, a non-profit promoting childhood independence and resilience, and founder of the Free-Range Kids movement (and book!). She is also a speaker, blogger, syndicated columnist, author, and reality show host. A former newspaper reporter, she lives in New York City with her husband. Their sons have flown the coop, which is good for “proof of concept” purposes, but she misses them. Check out her book, Free Range Kids and all the FREE resources available at letgrow.org. 

Related Episodes:

Episode 94. Parenthood in the Age of Fear with Kim Brooks

Episode 143. Happier Parenting KJ Dell’Antonia

Episode 161. The Gift of Failure with Jessica Lahey

Episode 194. How to Be (and raise) an Adult with Julie Lythcott-Haims

Episode 205. Thrivers with Michele Borba   

Episode 211. Subtract with Leidy Klotz

Episode 213. Back To School! How To Talk With Kids To Build Motivation, Stress Tolerance and A Happy Home with Dr. William Stixrud and Ned Johnson

Episode 214. How to Raise Kids Who Aren’t Jerks with Melinda Wenner Moyer

Episode 245. Family Firm with Emily Oster

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