After her column “Why I Let My 9 Year Old Ride the Subway Alone” landed her on every talk show from The Today Show to Dr. Phil (who debated her status as “America’s Worst Mom”), Lenore Skenazy found herself in the unique position of kicking off the Free-Range Kids movement. Among a ton of new fans, and also a lot of haters.
Listen up: Crime rates today are the lowest they’ve been since 1963, so why are parents feeling so torn about letting their kids walk to school, ride their bikes, take the bus, or play ball in the park by themselves?
Because we now live in a perpetual state of fear, believing our kids are in constant danger.
We are gripped by the terror of extremely rare and random tragedies hammered home by never-ending headline news that today reaches us not only in the papers and on TV but on our laptops, phones, and watches. (And don’t forget those Facebook friends who share never ending “be careful this could happen to you” stories.)
That’s all scary enough, but now authorities are limiting parents on what they allow their kids to do. A quick example from Lenore: A mom in Chicago is now on the child abuse registry for letting her children ages 11, 9, and 5 play in the park literally across the street from her house, and whom she was checking on every few minutes.
(Weren’t we all babysitting by age 11? This is nuts!)
Lenore’s message is simply this: Our kids are just as safe and smart as we were when we were young. And it’s time to give them (and the parents who trust them) a chance.
On the show, we discuss how:
* We are wired for fear, and your mind will always go to “worst first” scenario when you are considering an option (Lenore shares a fascinating study)
* Free play can be one of the most important things a kid can do to develop into resilient, happy adults
* Some of the scary legislation that Lenore has helped halt— including a Rhode Island bill that proposed making it illegal for even 7th graders (ages 11-12) to get off the bus without an adult to greet them
* Mom-guilt, why we’re so quick blame moms, and why we need to give moms the benefit of the doubt
*The Free-Range Kids’ and Parents’ Bill of Rights and how you can help make a change in your neighborhood
Even if you don’t have kids, consider how the neurotic parents and kids are turning into adults who are incapable of getting through everyday life. Companies are reporting some parents are now reportedly showing up to their adult kids’ job interviews! Consider how this is affecting our entire next generation. Wow.
I know you’ll get a lot out of this episode. So head over to iTunes and listen to this episode of Glambition Radio now (or download for later).
Love and Success,
P.S. I would love your review! If you enjoy what I share in this episode, please leave a review and comment on iTunes. I would really appreciate it. Thanks!
