Free-Range Kids
by Lenore Skenazy
The columnist who let her nine-year-old ride the subway alone and was called America's worst mom lays out the case for childhood independence: actual risks are lower than feared, overprotection has costs, and children need unsupervised time to grow. It is funny, data-informed and the manifesto of a movement.
Read it if…
you want to give your children more independence and need both courage and data.
Skip it if…
you are comfortable with your current level of supervision.
Three things you will actually use
- Real risk is lower than perceived; check the numbers.
- Independence is a developmental need.
- Fear is not care.
Do this first
Let your child do one thing alone this week that you would have supervised last week.
Our verdict
Funny and bracing.
Compare with other Parenting books
The Danish Way of Parenting
Jessica Joelle Alexander and Iben Dissing Sandahl · Parenting
Short, pleasant, useful.
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