Great Parenting Advice From Lenore Skenazy ("America's Worst Mom") Or, "Why I Let My 9 Year-Old Ride The Subway Alone" The Self-Driven Child podcast

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Great Parenting Advice From Lenore Skenazy ("America's Worst Mom") Or, "Why I Let My 9 Year-Old Ride the Subway Alone"

3d ago 46:49

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Ever wonder if we’re raising our kids with too much fear and not enough freedom? In this episode, I’m joined by Lenore Skenazy—founder of Let Grow, author, and self-described “America’s Worst Mom”—to dig into what’s really holding our kids back. We talk about the shift from play-based to phone-based childhoods, and how we, as parents and educators, can reverse course by letting kids take back some independence—without feeling like we’re putting them in danger.

We explore how anxiety, both in kids and adults, is often fueled by overprotection, and how letting kids do more on their own actually builds emotional resilience, executive function, and confidence. Lenore shares powerful stories, smart strategies, and even a few laughs to help us rethink how we support our kids in becoming more capable and self-reliant. If you’ve ever worried about being too overprotective—or just want to help kids thrive—this conversation will inspire you to take that first step.

Episode Highlights:

[0:00] - Opening thoughts on parenting struggles and intro to my new workbook
[1:35] - Welcoming Lenore Skenazy and how she became known as “America’s Worst Mom”
[3:54] - The column that sparked a national conversation
[5:17] - The disconnect between our childhoods and how we raise our kids now
[7:53] - How school policies and culture reinforce parental anxiety
[8:50] - The myth of stranger danger and why statistics don’t ease fears
[11:52] - The Let Grow Experience and how it rewires parent and child behavior
[15:06] - Why emotional courage is essential for both kids and parents
[17:59] - The anxious generation of parents—and how overprotection feeds the cycle
[19:43] - What free play really teaches and how it rewires the brain
[24:11] - Why sandbags belong in play clubs and other fun discoveries
[27:29] - Real-world problem solving in play: Franklin and the leaf pile
[30:41] - Why squabbling is not a problem—it’s the learning process
[31:07] - The hero’s journey and how hardship builds emotional resilience
[33:34] - A flat tire becomes a triumph of independence
[34:04] - Phones out, yes—but we must also restore play
[35:15] - Let Grow’s mission to support independence and responsibility
[38:59] - Helping parents take courageous actions, even if they’re still worried
[41:36] - The goal isn’t to eliminate worry—it’s to act with courage anyway

Links & Resources:

Lenore's TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/lenore_skenazy_why_you_should_spend_less_time_with_your_kids?subtitle=en

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