153: Let Grow. With Lenore Skenazy

How can you empower your child to embrace independence? Listen in to my guest, Lenore Skenazy as she shares her time-tested insights. Click here for the show notes and extra resources. Today’s guest was named “America’s Worst Mom” for supporting her son's desire to take the subway home 16 years ago. Since then, she has been on a mission to support parents and schools to help children regain their much-needed independence. What We Talked About: Why fostering independence in children is crucial for their development, resilience, and confidence How societal changes have increased parental fear and overprotection Practical ways parents can encourage independence in their children Balancing safety and freedom How modern technology is reducing family communication Benefits of Unstructured Free Play Balancing technology and real-world experiences Things to Remember “Parenting is recognizing that kids are going to be who they are. We have got to give them space and time to figure that out on their own.” “Independence is so crucial to children and so natural. It's like a vitamin.” “With parents being away, kids are called upon to do new things and recognize just how competent they can be.” “The more control you think you have doesn’t actually make you more calm.” “Give your kids chances to help you and to show you how capable, competent, and kind they are.” “There's too much pressure on parents to know everything and to shape our children when we can’t.” - Lenore Skenazy “The child looks for his independence first, not because he does not desire to be dependent on the adult. But because he has in himself some fire, some urge, to do certain things and not other things.” - Dr. Maria Montessori   Click here for the showe notes and extra resources.

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The Art of Parenting provides parents and caregivers support and encouragement as we nurture and guide the next generation. Do you struggle with your child’s demanding or frustrating behaviors? Do you find yourself spread way too thin trying to figure out this whole “parenting puzzle” (such as tantrums, hitting or biting, wanting a better relationship with your child, sibling rivalry, potty training, co-sleeping, etc.)? The Art of Parenting podcast, with your host Jeanne-Marie Paynel, is intended to help you decipher children's needs and learn how to better provide for them. I’ll be sharing simple tips and tricks that will make a huge difference in your home while giving you the support and encouragement you deserve to enhance and enrich your parenting experience. Each week I’ll be helping you find clarity and solutions to your toughest parenting problems through Q&A sessions and inspirational conversations with world-renowned experts in a variety of fields. Topics range from Montessori and RIE parenting methods to positive discipline, respectful and conscious parenting, minimalism and more! Parenting was never meant to be done alone and The Art of Parenting is here to debunk the general consensus that it has to be hard.