Free Range Kids

Giving Our Children the Freedom We Had Without Going Nuts with Worry

By: Lenore Skenazy

Narrated by: Susan Bennett

Length: 7 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Lenore Skenazy called down a firestorm of controversy when she wrote a newspaper column about letting her nine-year-old ride alone on the New York City subway. In this plainspoken take on modern parenting, Skenazy offers a commonsense approach to letting kids be kids.

©2009 Lenore Skenazy (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Skenazy flies the black flag of "America's Worst Mom," a title this syndicated columnist and NPR commentator earned by allowing her nine-year-old son to ride the New York City public transit alone in 2008. Here, she puts parents' fears to bed by examining the statistical likelihood of the dangers we most fear (murder, baby-snatching, etc.). Drawing on facts, statistics, and humor, she convincingly argues that this is one of the safest periods for children in the history of the world, reiterating that "mostly, the world is safe...and mostly, people are good." Even the lowest-flying helicopter parents would have trouble disagreeing that "we have entered an era that says you cannot trust yourself. Trust a product instead." Skenazy argues that it's time to retire the national pastime of worrying and that "childhood is supposed to be about discovering the world, not being held captive." The obvious has never been so hilarious." ( Library Journal)

Important message that's hard to hear

I think this book describes an extremely important shift in thinking about how to support children in becoming whole, healthy, well-rounded adults. But I find it hard to recommend the listen because the reader's voice and the author's tone and style conspire to sound like such a stereotypical hyper-anxious hovermom, it's hard for me to relate to her or even pay attention to some of the valuable arguments she makes. Which is a shame.

Mandatory for all parents

Funny, endlessly clever (until you finish), and much needed in our woke society. A breathe of fresh air. Your kids will thank you.

Very good book

This book brings reality to what raising kids should be like and frankly has been for all of recorded history. Our modern society has turned childhood into a scary time instead of the fun time most of us remember. The author is masterful with her use of ridiculousness to display how crazy we are behaving. I Thoroughly enjoyed this book!!!

Fun, easy listen

I agree completely that parents should slack up on their kids, and I love that someone finally said it outright. What a fun listen! Sharing with friends!

Sound advice

Would you listen to Free Range Kids again? Why?

This was an enjoyable listen. Apparently I am 'free range' parent and didn't even realize it. I appreciate the authors debunking of some common myths that we guide our lives by. The way I see it, there is enough fear in the world that we don't need to make up more things to add to the list. The one star off is because the tone the author takes makes it seem like she has a bit of a chip on her shoulder on the subject, which I didn't appreciate.

love it.

content was good reading was good. I'm going to try and get my 8 year old to ride her bike a bit further from home today.

Must read for all parents.

wish all parents would read. we could raise happier and more competent kids. perhaps I could then find other like minded families who would allow kids to explore. Very sad to see parks empty while all the kids sit at home in front of screens.

Interesting

I found it interesting. The author made some very good points. I am not a parent, but I am a preschool teacher and Helicopter Parents are a real thing! As a farmer, and farm kid, I never experienced a hovering parent. They didn't have time for that. I also didn't have siblings that lived with me (nor close in age), so my imagination was in full use. Some of the things, like the initial ride in the Subway, I've never done even as an adult--that's obviously a city thing. However, I could still relate and understand the points the author was making!

LOVE

Loved this book!!! It was hilariously true and put a lot of things in perspective. i feel I've always been more free range, but always questioned myself when judged with the words "lazy" or "neglectful". I'm actually the opposite. I'm very invoiced in my kids lives, just like to give them some freedom and not control every aspect of their lives. So thank you so much for this!!

Interesting to think about

Free range parenting is an interesting concept in this helicopter parenting world. I have three kids. I really thought about the points the author made about free range parenting, as I made decisions about what I feel comfortable with as a parent.