Are We Raising Kids Who Are Afraid to Be Independent? | Lenore Skenazy on Free-Range Parenting, Anxiety & Resilience

Are we protecting our children—or unintentionally making them more anxious and less confident?

In this episode of The Child Psych Podcast, we sit down with Lenore Skenazy, founder of the Free-Range Kids movement and co-founder of Let Grow, to explore how overprotective parenting may be contributing to childhood anxiety, declining independence, and a lack of resilience in today's children.

Lenore challenges us to rethink modern parenting and the culture of fear surrounding childhood. We discuss why giving children age-appropriate freedom, opportunities for healthy risk-taking, and space to solve problems independently is essential for building confidence, emotional resilience, and problem-solving skills.

Together, we explore the connection between parental anxiety and childhood anxiety, why children need more independent play and unsupervised experiences, and how parents can move away from helicopter parenting without compromising their children's safety.

You'll discover how small changes in parenting can help children develop greater independence, self-esteem, emotional regulation, and the confidence to navigate life's challenges.

Because raising resilient kids isn't about protecting them from every challenge—it's about helping them believe they can handle challenges themselves.

Whether you're raising an anxious child, struggling with the urge to overprotect, or simply looking for ways to foster independence, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on raising confident, capable, and resilient children.

To find out more about Let Grow , click here

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