Heavy snow and difficult travel expected again, heaviest snow in southern Minnesota

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

 is the idea of taking a bit more of a hands-off approach to raising your kids. For some families, that means letting them walk home alone or allowing them to play outside without supervision. 

Many parents feel this kind of parenting can be dangerous to kids, but others argue it's an important move to ensure that kids learn to fend for themselves and get a break from the constant monitoring of today's world. 

Two parenting experts — Dr. Alan Kazdin of the Yale Parenting Center and Jennifer Senior, author of 'All Joy and No Fun" — joined MPR News' Kerri Miller to talk about the controversy surrounding free-range parenting, and the idea that parents should allow their children more freedom. 

Callers contributed stories and personal experiences from both ends of the spectrum. 

Kaylee in St. Paul admitted she had been a helicopter mom — not even allowing her two children to play in their backyard alone —  but a trip overseas changed her strategy toward parenting:

But William in Minneapolis said he worried about his five children, and felt strongly about monitoring them at all times:

Rachel in Morris asked the audience to consider how different socioeconomic and social circumstances factor into parenting, and to remind listeners that many parents are forced to be free-range:

What is your experience as a parent? Do you feel that your children have too much freedom? Not enough? Do you worry about what other parents think? Share your comments below.

Health

Social Issues

Shows

Big Books & Bold Ideas with Kerri Miller

Kerri Miller Feature

Madelyn Mahon

Author

Two parenting experts talk about the controversy surrounding free-range parenting, and the idea that parents should allow their children more freedom.

Two parenting experts joined us to talk about the controversy surrounding free-range parenting, and the idea that parents should allow their children more freedom.

Free-range parenting: How much freedom should kids have?

Go Deeper.

Like this?