Free-Range Parenting

Earlier this week Ryan Helton sent me the link to an article from the NY Times: “Let the Kid Be,’” by Lisa Belkin, where I first read the phrase “free-range parenting.” Lenore Skenazy came up with this phrase to describe an approach to parenting that is not fear-based and that extols the virtues of a much slower pace in raising our children. As summer quickly approaches, I can think of no better advice.

Come up with your own version of free-range parenting this summer, just be sure to include lots of downtime for the kids; a little boredom that eventually leads to bursts of creativity and engagement; a liberal bending of the rules that allows for more laughter and silliness; and a few more breakfasts for dinner throughout the next couple of months.

Your children, our students, have worked hard these past 10 months and they need some time to assimilate all that they have learned and to re-energize themselves. They also need to have their imaginations stretched and their curiosity engaged.

Or, as the famous Zen master Shunryu Suzuki once wrote (Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind) about control: “To give your sheep or cow a large, spacious meadow is the way to control him.” So let’s give our children plenty of room this summer.

Finally, remember, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Or in this case, what’s good for your child is also good for you.

See you all at Step-Up next week!

Mike