As educators, you know that kids need independence. And yet, many our youth graduate from high school having never had to take responsibility for getting themselves up on time, fixing themselves a meal, or scheduling an appointment on their own.
Our kids are being raised in a bubble where parents (and sometimes educators) do it all for them, for fear kids might fail at something.
We’re doing our kids a disservice if we don’t back off and give them the power and independence they need to live a full life. That’s exactly what this week’s guest, Lenore Skenazy, did back in 2008--and received backlash for.
But that one action, allowing her 9-year-old to ride the subway alone, sparked the idea for a nonprofit and school initiatives that are helping kids across the globe grow into the independent individuals they should be.
Listen in to why she allowed her kids more independence than many and how educators can not only get involved but encourage parents to do the same.
After her column "Why I Let My 9-Year-Old Ride the Subway Alone" created a media firestorm, Lenore Skenazy founded the book, blog, and movement, “Free-Range Kids.” She has appeared everywhere from The Today Show to The Daily Show, and hosted the reality show World’s Worst Mom. Now she is president of Let Grow, the nonprofit making it easy, normal and legal to give kids the independence they need to grow into capable, happy adults. Let Grow’s two main school initiatives are The Let Grow Project (kids get the homework assignment, “Go home and do something new, on your own!”) and The Let Grow Play Club (schools stay open for mixed-age free play. Adults don’t organize the games or solve the spats). All the implementation guides are free here. Lenore lives in New York City with her husband and beloved computer. Her kids have flown the coop.
