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Free-Range Kids

How Parents and Teachers Can Let Go and Let Grow

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Free-Range Kids

By: Lenore Skenazy
Narrated by: Ann Marie Lee
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About this listen

In the newly revised and expanded second edition of Free-Range Kids, New York columnist-turned-movement leader Lenore Skenazy delivers a compelling and entertaining look at how we got so worried about everything our kids do, see, eat, read, wear, watch, and lick - and how to bid a whole lot of that anxiety goodbye. With real-world examples, advice, and a gimlet-eyed look at the way our culture forces fear down our throats, Skenazy describes how parents and educators can step back so kids step up. Positive change is faster, easier, and a lot more fun than you'd believe. This is the book that has helped millions of American parents feel brave and optimistic again-and the same goes for their kids.

Using research, humor, and feisty common sense, the book shows:

  • How parents can reject the media message, "Your child is in horrible danger!"
  • How schools can give students more independence - and what happens when they do. (Hint: Teachers love it.)
  • How everyone can relax and successfully navigate a judge-y world filled with way too many warnings, scolds, and brand new fears
©2021 John Wiley & Sons (P)2021 Tantor Childhood Education Education Parenting & Families Relationships Inspiring Witty

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All stars
Most relevant  
I really like the premise of the book and I think that some of the points she makes a very valuable however the narration is infuriating. There are too many stories and anecdotes and most of the chapters go on far too long however if you are a neurotic American please listen.

Don’t bother if you’re not American/have no common sense

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I wanted to love this because the idea behind it is great. But I couldn’t get past the robotic narration and the endless ranting about overprotective parents.
I had to stop listening well before the end.

Disappointed

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Great ideas and amazingly easy changes to implement to make life better for the whole family.

Lifechanging book

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Phyllis Schlafly and Mary Whitehouse, eat your hearts out. This Trumpian lecture - "ignore the experts, think nothing other than what I think" - left me disappointed. I came here for tips on raising a free child, instead you get a stream of consciousness that treats opinion as being more valuable than fact and ridicule for anyone with a counter view. There are much better books that include proper research and tips for bringing up free children.

Fabulously preachy

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Absolutely loved the premise for this book, that children deserve more independence and freedoms, but I couldn't get past the first 5 chapters. I love reading a variety of different perspectives on early years development, parenting styles etc, but I've never come across an author who denounces Everything except her own opinion, which is woefully misinformed. She name checks books she doesn't like and pokes fun at them for lengthy paragraphs, disregarding their basis in child development research, instead disregarding it as guilt-inducing. All the while expecting us to follow word - for - word her "commandments" for better parenting? It's embarrassingly un-self-aware.

Promising idea, miserable read

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