Free-Range Parenting: A Deep Dive with Public Discourse
A video conversation about my work on free-range kids and the parental compass
Dear Friends,
I was delighted to be invited to be invited onto Public Discourse’s new podcast/video series, “Deep Dives,” which features in-depth conversations with authors of recent PD articles.
I had a great time discussing parenting, reasonable childhood independence, community-building, and my son and his karaoke machine with PD Editor-at-Large Serena Sigillito, using my recent article “Free-Range Kids and the Parental Compass.” (Our discussion also cites work by Jon Haidt &
, , Lenore Skenazy, , Gordon Neufeld, and Gabor Mate.)We ask not just whether it’s good for children to experience reasonable independence, risky play, and the like, but also how we can best prepare them and the wider local community to make these experiences fruitful and welcome — and how children’s ages and personalities may require tailor-made approaches.
Some questions for you:
— Were Serena and I able to address any of your concerns about childhood independence in our conversation?
— Do you think your own children’s childhoods are mostly similar to your own, or mostly different? Why, and how?
— What questions or thoughts do you have that we did not address in our Deep Dive?
I can’t wait to hear your thoughts and questions on these important topics!
And if you missed the great conversations in the comments on my original post about my article, do take a look at them here:
Free-Range Kids, Attachment, & Fear
Dear Friends, In today’s middle-class family culture, parents are anxious. And children are anxious, too. Parents want nothing more than to keep their children both safe and growing, but often these two things seem impossible to balance. A safe child is one who is under a caregiver’s ca…
Have a wonderful day!
Warmly,
Will save this for later listening (still on holiday in a tiny one bedroom apartment with my mother and all the kids which does not allow for easy podcast listening....:) You'd love witnessing the free-range child raising that is happening here in Switzerland. I was just at a park this week where a small five year old climbed a tree to the very top branches and not a single adult raised an eyebrow and called out a word of warning. He simply climbed down again when it was time to leave. Will save your piece to share later :)
I thought the essay was already so thorough and helpful in bringing together related threads, so this conversation was the icing on top.