Raising Independent Kids
Education & SchoolsParentingWhen Students Get Caught in the Trap of Performance—And How to Help Them Get Out
We need to help students get out of the trap of performance. There are so many other great ways for them to measure success.
ParentingShould Parents and Kids Share the Same Passions?
Last week at her riding lesson, my 7-year-old daughter fell off her horse. Another rider’s horse had nipped and charged at my daughter’s horse, causing …
ParentingMake Mini Pies Using Jar Lids
Mini pies are a genius baking project for kids. All you need is canning lids and some basic pie ingredients, and you'll be ready to …
ParentingChasing Childhood Is a Documentary Everyone Needs to See This Year
Let Grow is featured in the recent documentary, Chasing Childhood. This Q&A with one of the directors looks at how childhood has changed over time.
ParentingMy 4th Grader Is Failing English, and He’s Going to Have to Figure It Out
When this English teacher found out her son was failing English, she had to make a decision. Does she get involved or let him figure it out on his own?
Parenting5 Technology Hacks to Make Virtual Learning Easier
Virtual learning shouldn't involve a lot of adult intervention. For the most part, you want to be able to create a hands-off learning environment where …
ParentingTo Sports Parents Everywhere: You Do Not Have to Watch Your Child’s Practices
I used to be one of those super enthusiastic sports parents. Instead of dropping my child off for practice like my mom did when I …
ParentingWhat You Need to Know About Leaving Kids Alone
As parents, we tend to keep our children close. Yet the older they become, the more childhood independence they crave. This push and pull of keeping …
ParentingWhen Should Kids Be Allowed to Stay Home Alone?
How old does a child have to be to stay home alone? Each month, thousands of people google this type of question. Of course, there's …
ParentingWhy Sharing an Office with Your Kids is Awesome and Awful at the Same Time
A while back, I had a coworker who constantly clipped his fingernails in the cubicle next to mine. I don’t work in one of those …
Education & SchoolsParentingIn Polarizing Times, Adults Can Help Kids Learn to Think for Themselves
Learn how to encourage independent thinking in young people by helping them find and share their voice in a responsible way.
ParentingYes, Kids Can Learn How to Do Laundry on Their Own
When it comes to questions like, "Is my child old enough to _____________?" it's often a judgment call. At times, it seems like it would …
Education & SchoolsParentingI’m Failing Forward As a Parent and Teacher, and I’m Okay with That
I was a straight-A student. I was the girl who always did my homework, always broke the curve, always went above and beyond. As my …
ParentingIs There a Way to Stop Worrying About My Kids?
It's tough to stop worrying as a parent, but if you can learn how, you'll be so much better off. Plus, your kids will be better off, too.
ParentingStop Asking “Where Were the Parents?” When Something Goes Wrong
Just because a kid gets hurt doesn't mean their parents were neglectful. Let's stop asking, "Where were the parents?" as a way to blame others.
Education & SchoolsParenting21 Things Teachers Really Want You to Stop Doing for Your Kids
The day our children are born is quite possibly one of the happiest days of our lives. We vow to protect them and keep them …
ParentingWe Love Dax Shepard’s Easygoing Approach to Parenting
Let Grow’s president, Lenore Skenazy, was on Dax Shepard’s podcast, Armchair Expert, recently. And we learned a lot of great things about his parenting style. …
ParentingThis 6-Year-Old Makes Original Digital Music
You can learn how to make your own music using Garage Band with tips from 6-year-old, Arias. He'll show you the ropes in this article and video.
ParentingOn the Let Grow Podcast This Week: Are Kids in Other Countries More Independent?
The Let Grow podcast is here. Supervision Not Required is a podcast featuring our president, Lenore Skenazy. She tackles topics like the importance of play, …
ParentingShould I Let My Child Cross the Street Alone?
At Let Grow, we believe in kids. We believe they can be taught to be safe when they're out and about, even from a young …
ParentingWant to Learn How to Take Care of Chickens? This 9-Year-Old Can Help!
Montana gives his best tips on how to take care of chickens with things he earned while raising his own flock in the Pacific Northwest.
ParentingWe Need the Village Now More Than Ever
After my babies were born, casseroles and soups arrived on the doorstep, wrapped in brown paper bags. Well-wishes streamed in by mail, email, and text. …
ParentingWhy We Need to Give Parents the Benefit of the Doubt
Before you judge other parents, try giving them the benefit of the doubt. Parenting has its own set of challenges, and everyone handles things differently.
ParentingWhy It’s Important to Resist the Urge to Baby the Baby of the Family
With the baby of the family, how much does birth order come into play? Take a look at what this mom learned after she realized she was babying her youngest.
ParentingLet’s Make Youth Sports Fun Again
There are so many great benefits of youth sports, so why are kids quitting at such young ages? In most cases adults are likely the ones to blame.
ParentingThis 12-Year-Old Entrepreneur Started a Business Growing Mushrooms in His Basement
Growing mushrooms has been a successful business plan for 12-year-old, Te'Lario. Learn how he started a successful mushroom farm in his basement.
ParentingLearning How to Tie-Dye Proved to Be a Great Life Lesson
Learning how to tie dye has truly withstood the test of time. This DIY project is great for kids of all ages and is a great lesson in patience and failure.
Free PrintablesGet the Let Them Play Kit to Encourage Unstructured Play and Independence
Get our Let Them Play Kit to encourage kids to do more free and unstructured play. It's a great resource for play groups, neighborhoods, schools, and more.
ParentingThis DIY Fairy Garden Is the Perfect Gardening Project for Kids
This DIY fairy garden is easy for kids to do on their own. You just need a birdbath, plants, and DIY fairy furniture you make out of sticks.
Get IndependentWhat Is Unstructured Play, and How Does It Look?
The best parenting advice I ever received came from a mom whose son went to toddler music class with mine. She had tried to replace …
ParentingMy 4 Year Old is on a Hiking Challenge, and She’s Learning So Much from the Great Outdoors
Abby has been hiking since 18 months, and she'll soon hit 500 miles. See how this hiking challenge has brought her confidence and independence.
Free Printables20 Fun Backyard Games on Free Printable Cards
These fun backyard games are available as printable cards. They are some of the most classic childhood games that all kids should learn how to play.
Parenting20 of the Best Backyard Games for Kids and How to Play Them
Once upon a time, backyard games for kids were everywhere. Kids roamed their neighborhoods throughout the day and joined up to play all sorts of …
ParentingShould I Worry About All the Time My Kids Spend Doing Nothing?
It might seem like kids have a lot of wasted time and do nothing, but it's actually important for kids to have down time.
ParentingHow to Get Your Kids to Stop Whining—Yes, Really
I get up early to write before my two minions, ages three and four, open their eyes. I dash out of bed to turn on …
Free PrintablesKids Can Make Their Own Adventures with This Summer Printable Kit
This summer printable kit has lots of ideas for keeping kids busy and entertained...on their own. It comes with games, a challenge page, and more.
ParentingHow to Encourage Your Kids to Create Strong Sibling Relationships at Any Age
Our family (like others throughout the world) has been spending a lot of time together for the last several weeks. At first, it felt relatively …
ParentingHow to Teach Kids to Solve Their Own Problems
I learned to solve my own problems by attending the School of Hard Knocks. At least that’s what my mom called it. Growing up, I …
Education & SchoolsParentingWhy Teachers Want Your Kids to Fail
As the seniors I teach wrap up their final year of high school, I have one hope for them above all others: I hope they …
Free PrintablesGet the I’m Bored Kit to Keep Your Kids Busy and Entertained
"I'm bored!" As parents, we've all heard it—and probably more than once. Your child is bored, and somehow they've decided it's your responsibility to remedy …
ParentingThe Winners of the Independence Challenge Show the Amazing Way Kids Are Stepping Up Right Now
We know kids are awesome, amazing, and astonishingly capable. Yet, the entries in the Let Grow Independence Challenge still impressed and surprised us. Through essay, …
ParentingSeeing Kids Helping Out Was a Highlight of the Independence Challenge
Sheltering in place has been a challenging time for many families. So many people have had to figure out new ways to do things, leading …
ParentingKids Learned How to Sew and Make Masks During the Independence Challenge
Sewing skills aren't just a thing of the past. Not only do kids who try sewing learn a valuable skill that they'll be able to …
ParentingKids’ Cooking Skills Were on Display During the Independence Challenge
The kitchen is a great place for kids to practice being independent. It doesn't matter whether it's learning to make scrambled eggs or mastering eggs …
ParentingI Allow My 6-Year-Old to Play Outside Alone on the River, and It Makes Her Stronger
The Milwaukee River runs through this mom's backyard. Read about what she's learned by allowing her 6-year-old daughter to play outside alone.
ParentingWe Love the Flow Chart for Independence, Encouraging Parents to Step Back
Naturally, parents feel the urge to help their kids. They want to step in, offer support, and even fix things that don't go according to …
Free PrintablesFREE Chore Chart Printables with Poster, Bookmark, and More
Encourage responsibility with these free chore chart printables. We have a poster, bookmark, and color-as-you-go option. Just print and go.
Education & SchoolsWhy Hands-Off Learning Is a Huge Opportunity for Kids
My kids are used to roaming the nearby streets. They are used to finding friends and wildly running through the common spaces of our neighborhood. …
ParentingFlour, the Shelter-in-Place Unsung Hero
I am not much of a baker. I have a signature one-bowl chocolate cake recipe that tolerates unsifted flour and a generous dose of extra …
ParentingHow Lawnmower Parenting and Takis Killed My Daughter’s Friendship
Like many moms these days, I could probably be a lot less involved in my kids’ friendships. Have you heard of lawnmower parenting (aka snowplow …
NewsEnter the Let Grow Independence Challenge By Showing Off Your Child’s Independence
We want to know how your kids are stepping up to be more independent right now. This is why we've created the Let Grow Independence …
ParentingWhy Giving Kids Experiences Instead of Things Will Always Be Better
I've been spending a lot of time at home lately, and it’s made me acutely aware of all the things living in this space with …
ParentingOnce I Started Letting My Kids Figure Out Their Own Schedules, I Finally Got Some Relief
During this time of social distancing, it is not difficult to find loads of articles offering advice on a schedule for kids or how to …
ParentingRyan Hickman Has a Message for Kids Everywhere: You Can Make a Difference
When Ryan Hickman was 3 years old, his dad took him to the local recycling center. They live in California, which offers incentives for turning …
Education & SchoolsTurns Out, Soft Skills Are Actually Essential Skills—and We Need Them Now More Than Ever
We need to stop using the phrase soft skills and start calling them essential skills instead. Our kids need these skills to have a successful future.
NewsFunny Parenting Tweets About Homeschooling Remind Us All That Professional Teachers Are Heroes
Check out these funny parenting tweets from parents taking on the role of teacher. At least they know how to laugh at these painful, awkward moments.
ParentingIn Times of Uncertainty and Fear, We Have an Opportunity to Practice Courage
When you face fear and uncertainty, it's a good opportunity to practice moral courage. Learn why this is a great focus while kids are out of school.
ParentingCan You Tell Me How to Entertain Kids During the Coronavirus Crisis?
Are you trying to figure out how to entertain kids? Get Lenore Skenazy's advice. Plus, learn why it's not actually your job to entertain them.
News5 Things You Can Do When There’s Mass Hysteria and Panic
The coronavirus is leading to panic in the United States and around the world. Take a look at what you can do now to calm down and stay rational.
ParentingI Tried to Get My Boys to Stop Roughhousing, but That Was a Mistake
When this mom couldn't get her boys to stop roughhousing and wrestling, she decided to change her approach. All she needed was a few ground rules.
Education & SchoolsShould We Still Be Teaching Kids How to Read and Use Maps?
The other day I was on a work trip in Los Angeles and had to traverse four different interstates, take 10 back roads, and skirt …
ParentingWhy Is My Son So Independent While My Daughter Acts So Helpless?
Parenting is hard, epecially when you have one kid that is independent while another one wants everything done for them. Here's one mom's story and advice.
ParentingHow Can I Let Grow If I’m Constantly Worried About My Kids Getting Hurt?
When our kids get hurt, our instinct is to shelter them so that it won’t happen again. But are there other ways to safeguard kids against injury? The research says there are, and they’re easier than we thought.
ParentingLet’s Stop Saying No All the Time and Try a Yes Day Instead
Monday nights are chaotic for our family. My daughter has band rehearsal, my son has baseball practice, and, like me, the baby is tired of …
Free PrintablesGet the Let Grow Kid Card to Celebrate Childhood Independence
Here at Let Grow, we are big supporters of kids exploring on their own. This is why we created the Let Grow Kid Card. This …
ParentingRoman’s Cooking Corner Is the Little Bit of Messy We All Need
Roman's Cooking Corner shows the magic that can happen when you let kids be kids. This toddler reminds us that messy can be a good thing.
ParentingWe Should Encourage Special Needs Kids to Struggle, Fail, and Prevail
Our special needs kids are capable of achieving. We should create expectations that encourage them to embrace struggle and overcome challenges.
ParentingCommunity Building Can Go a Long Way in Creating Strong Kids
Community building doesn't have to be overly involved or complicated. Yet, it's so powerful in creating a strong neighborhood and independent kids.
ParentingYou Can Have Cake in 2 Minutes with This Mug Cake Recipe
You'll have instant access to cake with this mug cake recipe. Kids cake make this recipe completely on their own, and it came from 9-year-old, Lauren.
ParentingThe Magical Power of Family Reunions
Family reunions bring families together. Even if you come from different backgrounds, kids know how to get together and play.
ParentingShould You Teach Your Special Needs Child How to Handle a Knife, Turn on the Stove, and Perform Other Kitchen Duties?
Do your special needs kids have kitchen skills? Learn how to support special needs in the kitchen to encourage independent kids.
ParentingJonah Larson Is Showing the World That Boys Can—and Should—Crochet
Jonah Larson is a crochet prodigy. Learn how this boy taught himself how to crochet at only 5 and how he's making his own YouTube tutorials now.
ParentingIf Your Child Has Sleep Anxiety at Sleepovers, Empower Them with Independence
If you think your child gets sleep anxiety when it comes to sleepovers, then there are things you can do to help them feel better. Take a look.
ParentingDon’t Give Up—How to Get Your Kids to Do Chores
You might have the best intentions for chores, but then reality sets in. Learn how to get kids to do chores even if they've fallen out of practice.
ParentingLet’s Stop Telling Our Kids to Be Careful All the Time
This is probably a phrase you say on a regular basis without even realizing it, but it doesn't support raising confident kids. Are you guilty?
ParentingDear Parents Everywhere, It’s Okay to Let Your Kids Be Bored
As adults who were formerly children, we know the magic of childhood lies in its minimal responsibilities and abundance of free time. No doubt our …
ParentingIndependence Should Be Part of Special Needs Parenting
Learn how to encourage independence and give kids more freedom in special needs parenting.
ParentingPublic Spaces Offer Great Teachable Moments, So Let’s Get Kids Off the Screens
Build soft skills and find great teachable moments when you're in public with your little one. Here are seven great scenarios.
ParentingYou Can’t Control the Weather So Why Should it Control You?
When you learn to dress for the weather, you can go outside any time of the year. Learn how this mom has been going outside every day for 3+ years!
ParentingWhen Lite-Brite Gets Lame, You Have to Improvise
What happened to the original Lite-Brite design? Learn what this mom did once she learned Lite-Brite remove the pointy pegs from the original design.
ParentingHere’s Why I Don’t Limit Screen Time or Monitor My Child’s Phone
Should you limit screen time for your child or monitor their behavior? This dad believes you shouldn't. Learn why his teen has unlimited screen time.
ParentingLet’s Bring Some Meaning and Imperfection Back to Gift Giving
Bring back the macaroni necklaces and kid-led gift ideas! When it comes to gift giving, kids should definitely be part of the process.
Parenting I Want to Let My Son Walk to School with Friends, But There’s a Problem
What do you do when you want to let your child walk to school with their friends, but another mom keeps following them? See what this mom did.
ParentingEmbrace Imperfection With a Wabi-Sabi Parenting Style
Alan Levinovitz is a professor of religion and science at James Madison University and the married dad of a 6-year-old who cuts her own tomatoes. …
ParentingAn Anthropologist Discusses the Benefits of Unstructured Play
This fantastic TEDx Talk by evolutionary anthropologist Dorsa Amir is music to our ears at Let Grow. Amir studied a modern foraging society in the …
ParentingThe Bread-Milk-Butter Sesame Street Video Still Gets It Right
If you're old enough, you'll remember this classic Bread-Milk-Butter Sesame Street video. It's been responsible for an awful lot of earworms over the years, so …
ParentingAm I a Bad Parent If Don’t Like Playing With My Kids?
When our kids were toddlers my husband vowed he was going to write a book, "How to Play with Your Kids Without Getting off the …
ParentingWhat Is Future-Proofing?
When engineers build something expensive and important, they try to "future-proof" it. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, future-proofing means "to design software, a computer, etc. …
ParentingI Heard Helicopter Parenting Works. Does It?
The New York Times certainly knows its readers' sweet spot. Check out this headline: "The Bad News about Helicopter Parenting: It Works." I've spent years …
ParentingDo Halloween Rules Really Make Kids Safer?
Trick-or-treating is something kids did safely on their own for decades. But society is morphing this delightful childhood tradition into "dangerous encounters with strangers." Every …
Education & SchoolsA Let Grow Project Success Story: Patchogue-Medford Schools
Michael Hynes, superintendent of Patchogue-Medford Schools in Long Island, believes in the Let Grow Project. All seven elementary schools in his district participate, with incredible …
ParentingHow Can I Help My Anxious Child?
So many parents ask, "How can I help my anxious child?" It's not surprising, considering the statistics: According to one study, nearly a third of …
ParentingSchool Pick Up Is a Pain. Why Can’t Kids Self-Dismiss?
It's a question I get all the time. "School pick up is such a pain. Why am I required to pick my kid up when …
ParentingHow to Overcome Fear Based Parenting
It's a natural instinct for any parent: the need to protect their child from danger. The problem is, parents these days seem to see danger …
NewsLet Grow Celebrates the Passage of the Utah Free Range Parenting Law
Ten years ago I wrote an article that sparked a media firestorm: "Why I Let My 9-Year-Old Ride the Subway Alone." The excitement led to …
ParentingWhen Did We Stop Letting Kids Walk to School On Their Own?
Ask today's grandparents how they got to school, and nearly all of them will tell you, "I walked." But by the time current parents were …
ParentingWhat Does Free-Range Parenting Really Mean?
Have you read about the mom who is raising kids who aren't vaccinated, aren't disciplined, and, at age five, aren't yet weaned off breastfeeding? She …
When Students Get Caught in the Trap of Performance—And How to Help Them Get Out
We need to help students get out of the trap of performance. There are so many other great ways for them to measure success.
Should Parents and Kids Share the Same Passions?
Last week at her riding lesson, my 7-year-old daughter fell off her horse. Another rider’s horse had nipped and charged at my daughter’s horse, causing …
Make Mini Pies Using Jar Lids
Mini pies are a genius baking project for kids. All you need is canning lids and some basic pie ingredients, and you'll be ready to …
Chasing Childhood Is a Documentary Everyone Needs to See This Year
Let Grow is featured in the recent documentary, Chasing Childhood. This Q&A with one of the directors looks at how childhood has changed over time.
My 4th Grader Is Failing English, and He’s Going to Have to Figure It Out
When this English teacher found out her son was failing English, she had to make a decision. Does she get involved or let him figure it out on his own?
5 Technology Hacks to Make Virtual Learning Easier
Virtual learning shouldn't involve a lot of adult intervention. For the most part, you want to be able to create a hands-off learning environment where …
To Sports Parents Everywhere: You Do Not Have to Watch Your Child’s Practices
I used to be one of those super enthusiastic sports parents. Instead of dropping my child off for practice like my mom did when I …
What You Need to Know About Leaving Kids Alone
As parents, we tend to keep our children close. Yet the older they become, the more childhood independence they crave. This push and pull of keeping …
When Should Kids Be Allowed to Stay Home Alone?
How old does a child have to be to stay home alone? Each month, thousands of people google this type of question. Of course, there's …
Why Sharing an Office with Your Kids is Awesome and Awful at the Same Time
A while back, I had a coworker who constantly clipped his fingernails in the cubicle next to mine. I don’t work in one of those …
In Polarizing Times, Adults Can Help Kids Learn to Think for Themselves
Learn how to encourage independent thinking in young people by helping them find and share their voice in a responsible way.
Yes, Kids Can Learn How to Do Laundry on Their Own
When it comes to questions like, "Is my child old enough to _____________?" it's often a judgment call. At times, it seems like it would …
I’m Failing Forward As a Parent and Teacher, and I’m Okay with That
I was a straight-A student. I was the girl who always did my homework, always broke the curve, always went above and beyond. As my …
Is There a Way to Stop Worrying About My Kids?
It's tough to stop worrying as a parent, but if you can learn how, you'll be so much better off. Plus, your kids will be better off, too.
Stop Asking “Where Were the Parents?” When Something Goes Wrong
Just because a kid gets hurt doesn't mean their parents were neglectful. Let's stop asking, "Where were the parents?" as a way to blame others.
21 Things Teachers Really Want You to Stop Doing for Your Kids
The day our children are born is quite possibly one of the happiest days of our lives. We vow to protect them and keep them …
We Love Dax Shepard’s Easygoing Approach to Parenting
Let Grow’s president, Lenore Skenazy, was on Dax Shepard’s podcast, Armchair Expert, recently. And we learned a lot of great things about his parenting style. …
This 6-Year-Old Makes Original Digital Music
You can learn how to make your own music using Garage Band with tips from 6-year-old, Arias. He'll show you the ropes in this article and video.
On the Let Grow Podcast This Week: Are Kids in Other Countries More Independent?
The Let Grow podcast is here. Supervision Not Required is a podcast featuring our president, Lenore Skenazy. She tackles topics like the importance of play, …
Should I Let My Child Cross the Street Alone?
At Let Grow, we believe in kids. We believe they can be taught to be safe when they're out and about, even from a young …
Want to Learn How to Take Care of Chickens? This 9-Year-Old Can Help!
Montana gives his best tips on how to take care of chickens with things he earned while raising his own flock in the Pacific Northwest.
We Need the Village Now More Than Ever
After my babies were born, casseroles and soups arrived on the doorstep, wrapped in brown paper bags. Well-wishes streamed in by mail, email, and text. …
Why We Need to Give Parents the Benefit of the Doubt
Before you judge other parents, try giving them the benefit of the doubt. Parenting has its own set of challenges, and everyone handles things differently.
Why It’s Important to Resist the Urge to Baby the Baby of the Family
With the baby of the family, how much does birth order come into play? Take a look at what this mom learned after she realized she was babying her youngest.
Let’s Make Youth Sports Fun Again
There are so many great benefits of youth sports, so why are kids quitting at such young ages? In most cases adults are likely the ones to blame.
This 12-Year-Old Entrepreneur Started a Business Growing Mushrooms in His Basement
Growing mushrooms has been a successful business plan for 12-year-old, Te'Lario. Learn how he started a successful mushroom farm in his basement.
Learning How to Tie-Dye Proved to Be a Great Life Lesson
Learning how to tie dye has truly withstood the test of time. This DIY project is great for kids of all ages and is a great lesson in patience and failure.
Get the Let Them Play Kit to Encourage Unstructured Play and Independence
Get our Let Them Play Kit to encourage kids to do more free and unstructured play. It's a great resource for play groups, neighborhoods, schools, and more.
This DIY Fairy Garden Is the Perfect Gardening Project for Kids
This DIY fairy garden is easy for kids to do on their own. You just need a birdbath, plants, and DIY fairy furniture you make out of sticks.
What Is Unstructured Play, and How Does It Look?
The best parenting advice I ever received came from a mom whose son went to toddler music class with mine. She had tried to replace …
My 4 Year Old is on a Hiking Challenge, and She’s Learning So Much from the Great Outdoors
Abby has been hiking since 18 months, and she'll soon hit 500 miles. See how this hiking challenge has brought her confidence and independence.
20 Fun Backyard Games on Free Printable Cards
These fun backyard games are available as printable cards. They are some of the most classic childhood games that all kids should learn how to play.
20 of the Best Backyard Games for Kids and How to Play Them
Once upon a time, backyard games for kids were everywhere. Kids roamed their neighborhoods throughout the day and joined up to play all sorts of …
Should I Worry About All the Time My Kids Spend Doing Nothing?
It might seem like kids have a lot of wasted time and do nothing, but it's actually important for kids to have down time.
How to Get Your Kids to Stop Whining—Yes, Really
I get up early to write before my two minions, ages three and four, open their eyes. I dash out of bed to turn on …
Kids Can Make Their Own Adventures with This Summer Printable Kit
This summer printable kit has lots of ideas for keeping kids busy and entertained...on their own. It comes with games, a challenge page, and more.
How to Encourage Your Kids to Create Strong Sibling Relationships at Any Age
Our family (like others throughout the world) has been spending a lot of time together for the last several weeks. At first, it felt relatively …
How to Teach Kids to Solve Their Own Problems
I learned to solve my own problems by attending the School of Hard Knocks. At least that’s what my mom called it. Growing up, I …
Why Teachers Want Your Kids to Fail
As the seniors I teach wrap up their final year of high school, I have one hope for them above all others: I hope they …
Get the I’m Bored Kit to Keep Your Kids Busy and Entertained
"I'm bored!" As parents, we've all heard it—and probably more than once. Your child is bored, and somehow they've decided it's your responsibility to remedy …
The Winners of the Independence Challenge Show the Amazing Way Kids Are Stepping Up Right Now
We know kids are awesome, amazing, and astonishingly capable. Yet, the entries in the Let Grow Independence Challenge still impressed and surprised us. Through essay, …
Seeing Kids Helping Out Was a Highlight of the Independence Challenge
Sheltering in place has been a challenging time for many families. So many people have had to figure out new ways to do things, leading …
Kids Learned How to Sew and Make Masks During the Independence Challenge
Sewing skills aren't just a thing of the past. Not only do kids who try sewing learn a valuable skill that they'll be able to …
Kids’ Cooking Skills Were on Display During the Independence Challenge
The kitchen is a great place for kids to practice being independent. It doesn't matter whether it's learning to make scrambled eggs or mastering eggs …
I Allow My 6-Year-Old to Play Outside Alone on the River, and It Makes Her Stronger
The Milwaukee River runs through this mom's backyard. Read about what she's learned by allowing her 6-year-old daughter to play outside alone.
We Love the Flow Chart for Independence, Encouraging Parents to Step Back
Naturally, parents feel the urge to help their kids. They want to step in, offer support, and even fix things that don't go according to …
FREE Chore Chart Printables with Poster, Bookmark, and More
Encourage responsibility with these free chore chart printables. We have a poster, bookmark, and color-as-you-go option. Just print and go.
Why Hands-Off Learning Is a Huge Opportunity for Kids
My kids are used to roaming the nearby streets. They are used to finding friends and wildly running through the common spaces of our neighborhood. …
Flour, the Shelter-in-Place Unsung Hero
I am not much of a baker. I have a signature one-bowl chocolate cake recipe that tolerates unsifted flour and a generous dose of extra …
How Lawnmower Parenting and Takis Killed My Daughter’s Friendship
Like many moms these days, I could probably be a lot less involved in my kids’ friendships. Have you heard of lawnmower parenting (aka snowplow …
Enter the Let Grow Independence Challenge By Showing Off Your Child’s Independence
We want to know how your kids are stepping up to be more independent right now. This is why we've created the Let Grow Independence …
Why Giving Kids Experiences Instead of Things Will Always Be Better
I've been spending a lot of time at home lately, and it’s made me acutely aware of all the things living in this space with …
Once I Started Letting My Kids Figure Out Their Own Schedules, I Finally Got Some Relief
During this time of social distancing, it is not difficult to find loads of articles offering advice on a schedule for kids or how to …
Ryan Hickman Has a Message for Kids Everywhere: You Can Make a Difference
When Ryan Hickman was 3 years old, his dad took him to the local recycling center. They live in California, which offers incentives for turning …
Turns Out, Soft Skills Are Actually Essential Skills—and We Need Them Now More Than Ever
We need to stop using the phrase soft skills and start calling them essential skills instead. Our kids need these skills to have a successful future.
Funny Parenting Tweets About Homeschooling Remind Us All That Professional Teachers Are Heroes
Check out these funny parenting tweets from parents taking on the role of teacher. At least they know how to laugh at these painful, awkward moments.
In Times of Uncertainty and Fear, We Have an Opportunity to Practice Courage
When you face fear and uncertainty, it's a good opportunity to practice moral courage. Learn why this is a great focus while kids are out of school.
Can You Tell Me How to Entertain Kids During the Coronavirus Crisis?
Are you trying to figure out how to entertain kids? Get Lenore Skenazy's advice. Plus, learn why it's not actually your job to entertain them.
5 Things You Can Do When There’s Mass Hysteria and Panic
The coronavirus is leading to panic in the United States and around the world. Take a look at what you can do now to calm down and stay rational.
I Tried to Get My Boys to Stop Roughhousing, but That Was a Mistake
When this mom couldn't get her boys to stop roughhousing and wrestling, she decided to change her approach. All she needed was a few ground rules.
Should We Still Be Teaching Kids How to Read and Use Maps?
The other day I was on a work trip in Los Angeles and had to traverse four different interstates, take 10 back roads, and skirt …
Why Is My Son So Independent While My Daughter Acts So Helpless?
Parenting is hard, epecially when you have one kid that is independent while another one wants everything done for them. Here's one mom's story and advice.
How Can I Let Grow If I’m Constantly Worried About My Kids Getting Hurt?
When our kids get hurt, our instinct is to shelter them so that it won’t happen again. But are there other ways to safeguard kids against injury? The research says there are, and they’re easier than we thought.
Let’s Stop Saying No All the Time and Try a Yes Day Instead
Monday nights are chaotic for our family. My daughter has band rehearsal, my son has baseball practice, and, like me, the baby is tired of …
Get the Let Grow Kid Card to Celebrate Childhood Independence
Here at Let Grow, we are big supporters of kids exploring on their own. This is why we created the Let Grow Kid Card. This …
Roman’s Cooking Corner Is the Little Bit of Messy We All Need
Roman's Cooking Corner shows the magic that can happen when you let kids be kids. This toddler reminds us that messy can be a good thing.
We Should Encourage Special Needs Kids to Struggle, Fail, and Prevail
Our special needs kids are capable of achieving. We should create expectations that encourage them to embrace struggle and overcome challenges.
Community Building Can Go a Long Way in Creating Strong Kids
Community building doesn't have to be overly involved or complicated. Yet, it's so powerful in creating a strong neighborhood and independent kids.
You Can Have Cake in 2 Minutes with This Mug Cake Recipe
You'll have instant access to cake with this mug cake recipe. Kids cake make this recipe completely on their own, and it came from 9-year-old, Lauren.
The Magical Power of Family Reunions
Family reunions bring families together. Even if you come from different backgrounds, kids know how to get together and play.
Should You Teach Your Special Needs Child How to Handle a Knife, Turn on the Stove, and Perform Other Kitchen Duties?
Do your special needs kids have kitchen skills? Learn how to support special needs in the kitchen to encourage independent kids.
Jonah Larson Is Showing the World That Boys Can—and Should—Crochet
Jonah Larson is a crochet prodigy. Learn how this boy taught himself how to crochet at only 5 and how he's making his own YouTube tutorials now.
If Your Child Has Sleep Anxiety at Sleepovers, Empower Them with Independence
If you think your child gets sleep anxiety when it comes to sleepovers, then there are things you can do to help them feel better. Take a look.
Don’t Give Up—How to Get Your Kids to Do Chores
You might have the best intentions for chores, but then reality sets in. Learn how to get kids to do chores even if they've fallen out of practice.
Let’s Stop Telling Our Kids to Be Careful All the Time
This is probably a phrase you say on a regular basis without even realizing it, but it doesn't support raising confident kids. Are you guilty?
Dear Parents Everywhere, It’s Okay to Let Your Kids Be Bored
As adults who were formerly children, we know the magic of childhood lies in its minimal responsibilities and abundance of free time. No doubt our …
Independence Should Be Part of Special Needs Parenting
Learn how to encourage independence and give kids more freedom in special needs parenting.
Public Spaces Offer Great Teachable Moments, So Let’s Get Kids Off the Screens
Build soft skills and find great teachable moments when you're in public with your little one. Here are seven great scenarios.
You Can’t Control the Weather So Why Should it Control You?
When you learn to dress for the weather, you can go outside any time of the year. Learn how this mom has been going outside every day for 3+ years!
When Lite-Brite Gets Lame, You Have to Improvise
What happened to the original Lite-Brite design? Learn what this mom did once she learned Lite-Brite remove the pointy pegs from the original design.
Here’s Why I Don’t Limit Screen Time or Monitor My Child’s Phone
Should you limit screen time for your child or monitor their behavior? This dad believes you shouldn't. Learn why his teen has unlimited screen time.
Let’s Bring Some Meaning and Imperfection Back to Gift Giving
Bring back the macaroni necklaces and kid-led gift ideas! When it comes to gift giving, kids should definitely be part of the process.
I Want to Let My Son Walk to School with Friends, But There’s a Problem
What do you do when you want to let your child walk to school with their friends, but another mom keeps following them? See what this mom did.
Embrace Imperfection With a Wabi-Sabi Parenting Style
Alan Levinovitz is a professor of religion and science at James Madison University and the married dad of a 6-year-old who cuts her own tomatoes. …
An Anthropologist Discusses the Benefits of Unstructured Play
This fantastic TEDx Talk by evolutionary anthropologist Dorsa Amir is music to our ears at Let Grow. Amir studied a modern foraging society in the …
The Bread-Milk-Butter Sesame Street Video Still Gets It Right
If you're old enough, you'll remember this classic Bread-Milk-Butter Sesame Street video. It's been responsible for an awful lot of earworms over the years, so …
Am I a Bad Parent If Don’t Like Playing With My Kids?
When our kids were toddlers my husband vowed he was going to write a book, "How to Play with Your Kids Without Getting off the …
What Is Future-Proofing?
When engineers build something expensive and important, they try to "future-proof" it. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, future-proofing means "to design software, a computer, etc. …
I Heard Helicopter Parenting Works. Does It?
The New York Times certainly knows its readers' sweet spot. Check out this headline: "The Bad News about Helicopter Parenting: It Works." I've spent years …
Do Halloween Rules Really Make Kids Safer?
Trick-or-treating is something kids did safely on their own for decades. But society is morphing this delightful childhood tradition into "dangerous encounters with strangers." Every …
A Let Grow Project Success Story: Patchogue-Medford Schools
Michael Hynes, superintendent of Patchogue-Medford Schools in Long Island, believes in the Let Grow Project. All seven elementary schools in his district participate, with incredible …
How Can I Help My Anxious Child?
So many parents ask, "How can I help my anxious child?" It's not surprising, considering the statistics: According to one study, nearly a third of …
School Pick Up Is a Pain. Why Can’t Kids Self-Dismiss?
It's a question I get all the time. "School pick up is such a pain. Why am I required to pick my kid up when …
How to Overcome Fear Based Parenting
It's a natural instinct for any parent: the need to protect their child from danger. The problem is, parents these days seem to see danger …
Let Grow Celebrates the Passage of the Utah Free Range Parenting Law
Ten years ago I wrote an article that sparked a media firestorm: "Why I Let My 9-Year-Old Ride the Subway Alone." The excitement led to …
When Did We Stop Letting Kids Walk to School On Their Own?
Ask today's grandparents how they got to school, and nearly all of them will tell you, "I walked." But by the time current parents were …
What Does Free-Range Parenting Really Mean?
Have you read about the mom who is raising kids who aren't vaccinated, aren't disciplined, and, at age five, aren't yet weaned off breastfeeding? She …