Here’s how to raise independent kids.
It’s a book that rocked the parenting world last year. Jonathan Haidt’s “The Anxious Generation” calls on parents to limit screen time and encourage independent, unsupervised play.
Inspired by this book, Stephanie Read, founder of The Salt Project, issued an independent challenge to each of her kids.
The Anxious Generation Movement
Stephanie was struck by the book’s revelation that children are more likely to encounter predators online than in real life. This insight led her to question if parents are doing enough to protect their children online. She embraced the book’s push for more independence, challenging each of her kids to pick a scary activity that would push them out of their comfort zones.
The Independent Challenge
Stephanie’s kids listened to the book together and decided to take on the challenge. Each child picked an activity that would test their independence:
- 7-year-old: Going into Chick-fil-A alone.
- 10-year-old: Walking to Walmart, nearly two miles away, and making a purchase.
- 14-year-old: Taking Trax to Salt Lake for an adventure.
- 17-year-old: Flying to Mexico to live there for four months and teach English.
Viral Moments and Reactions
The Chick-fil-A challenge went viral, even being shared by The Today Show on Instagram. There were mixed reactions, with some people thinking it was dangerous. “I wasn’t surprised at really any of the comments,” Stephanie said. “Some people were very against it, thought it was very dangerous, which to me kind of proved the point that we’re holding a little too tight.”
Overcoming Challenges
Stephanie’s 10-year-old daughter faced a challenge when her watch didn’t work during the Walmart visit. She problem-solved by asking the manager to call her mom. This experience taught her to reach out to trusted adults for help. “She was able to problem solve on the spot,” Stephanie noted.
The Impact on Parenting
Stephanie hopes these challenges teach her kids that they can do hard things and push themselves out of their comfort zones. “Instead of just protecting, focusing on empowering,” she said. Now, her kids do all their own ordering and take on tasks independently whenever possible.
Find more from Stephanie @saltproject.co.
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