We’ve been told that “good” parents never take their eyes off their kids — but what if that’s the very thing making childhood (and parenting) harder?

In this fascinating chat, Dr Justin Coulson sits down with Lenore Skenazy — New York Times bestselling author of Free Range Kids and co-founder of Let Grow — whose viral act of letting her 9-year-old ride the NYC subway alone sparked a global movement.

Fresh from her TED Talk, Why You Should Spend Less Time With Your Kids, Lenore dismantles the “terrible lie” that children can’t handle life on their own — and reveals why the best learning, confidence, and resilience often happen when parents step back.

KEY POINTS
The fear-driven parenting trap — and how media and culture made “unsupervised” a dirty word.
The myth of “better safe than sorry” and why it’s hurting our kids.
How independence builds competence (and true confidence).
What happens in a child’s brain when they solve problems without adult help.
The staggering truth about “stranger danger” and why it’s wildly overblown.
How to make it normal again to just open the door and let kids play.

QUOTE OF THE EPISODE

“Independence leads to competence — and competence leads to confidence.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED
Lenore Skenazy’s TED Talk: Why You Should Spend Less Time With Your Kids
Free Range Kids by Lenore Skenazy— New York Times bestseller
Let Grow nonprofit: letgrow.org
Range by David Epstein

ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
Open the door. Let your child play or walk somewhere safely on their own.
Resist the rescue. When your child faces a small problem, pause before stepping in.
Swap “be safe” for “trust yourself.” Let your language build courage, not fear.
Talk about freedom. Ask your kids what independence means to them — and listen.

We&rsquo;ve been told that &ldquo;good&rdquo; parents never take their eyes off their kids &mdash; but what if that&rsquo;s the very thing making childhood (and parenting) harder?
In this fascinating chat, Dr Justin Coulson sits down with Lenore Skenazy &mdash; New York Times bestselling author of Free Range Kids and co-founder of Let Grow &mdash; whose viral act of letting her 9-year-old ride the NYC subway alone sparked a global movement.
Fresh from her TED Talk, Why You Should Spend Less Time With Your Kids, Lenore dismantles the &ldquo;terrible lie&rdquo; that children can&rsquo;t handle life on their own &mdash; and reveals why the best learning, confidence, and resilience often happen when parents step back.
KEY POINTS
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">The fear-driven parenting trap &mdash; and how media and culture made &ldquo;unsupervised&rdquo; a dirty word.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The myth of &ldquo;better safe than sorry&rdquo; and why it&rsquo;s hurting our kids.</li>
<li aria-level="1">How independence builds competence (and true confidence).</li>
<li aria-level="1">What happens in a child&rsquo;s brain when they solve problems without adult help.</li>
<li aria-level="1">The staggering truth about &ldquo;stranger danger&rdquo; and why it&rsquo;s wildly overblown.</li>
<li aria-level="1">How to make it normal again to just open the door and let kids play.</li>
</ul>
QUOTE OF THE EPISODE
&ldquo;Independence leads to competence &mdash; and competence leads to confidence.&rdquo;
RESOURCES MENTIONED
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Lenore Skenazy&rsquo;s TED Talk: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whaesnYloMQ">Why You Should Spend Less Time With Your Kids</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/free-range-kids-lenore-skenazy/1138885734">Free Range Kids</a> by Lenore Skenazy&mdash; New York Times bestseller</li>
<li aria-level="1">Let Grow nonprofit: <a href="https://letgrow.org">letgrow.org</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://davidepstein.com/range/">Range</a> by David Epstein</li>
</ul>
ACTION STEPS FOR PARENTS
<ol>
<li aria-level="1">Open the door. Let your child play or walk somewhere safely on their own.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Resist the rescue. When your child faces a small problem, pause before stepping in.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Swap &ldquo;be safe&rdquo; for &ldquo;trust yourself.&rdquo; Let your language build courage, not fear.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Talk about freedom. Ask your kids what independence means to them &mdash; and listen.</li>
</ol>

The Happy Families Podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

The Happy Families Podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now. Every day Justin and his wife Kylie provide practical tips and a common sense approach to parenting that Mums and Dads all over the world are connecting with. Justin and Kylie have 6 daughters and they regularly share their experiences of managing a busy household filled with lots of challenges and plenty of happiness. For real and practicable advice from people who understand and appreciate the challenges of a time poor parent, listen to Justin and Kylie and help make your family happier.

The Happy families podcast with Dr. Justin Coulson is designed for the time poor parent who just wants answers now.

Dr Justin Coulson's Happy Families

Why You Should Spend Less Time With Your Kids [Interview with Lenore Skenazy]

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/fa326977-3de5-4283-9b8b-af3500c58607/clips/fcc8aba1-0eb9-424a-8bd0-b38200ac4ee3/transcript

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