Katie Kimball—founder of Kids Cook Real Food and a pioneer in practical life skills education—reveals why America has fallen off the list of the world's 20 happiest countries (hint: it's our anxious teenagers).
We dive deep into the unintended consequences of helicopter parenting, why participation trophies backfired, and how teaching kids to cook, clean, and take care of themselves builds the confidence they need to thrive. Katie shares practical strategies for creating family culture, allowing low-stakes failure, and raising kids who see themselves as capable problem-solvers rather than helpless dependents.
Whether you're homeschooling, traditionally schooling, or somewhere in between, this episode will change how you think about chores, independence, and what it really means to prepare kids for adulthood.
Timestamps:00:00 - Why Katie started teaching kids life skills
08:45 - The anxiety epidemic in American youth
15:30 - How helicopter parenting backfires
24:15 - Building confidence through competence
32:40 - Creating family culture with high standards
41:20 - The entitlement crisis and American innovation
48:50 - Practical strategies for teaching life skills
56:15 - Starting where your kids are curious
Links and Resources- [Kids Cook Real Food](https://kidscookrealfood.com/) - Katie Kimball's cooking courses for children of all ages
- [Kitchen Stewardship](https://kitchenstewardship.com/) - Resources for families interested in building competence and confidence through practical life skills
- [Life Skills Now Summer Camp](https://kidscookrealfood.com/life-skills-now/) - Katie's summer program featuring 100+ skill workshops for kidsWant even more? Sign up for the OpenEd Daily newsletter at https://opened.co for practical tips and insights about more open and innovative approaches to education.
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