Happy Wednesday,

Quick update from me - yesterday felt like a big win. Maybe it’s just because my attention was devoted to her all day, but she was much more active than usual. The two times I turned my head, she had climbed onto the couch and then immediately into the windowsill, and she crawled herself outside to get some vitamin D. I used to get so excited at the thought of her crawling, but now I’m not so sure that was a great idea.

Also, thanks to those of you who wrote in to give me advice yesterday. I’ve learned that when in doubt, chicken nugs, quesadillas and strawberries are the answer.

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One Big Idea

The Illusion of Independence

As new parents, we often dream of the day our kids will take those brave steps towards independence, whether it's riding a bike alone or managing their own money. Surprisingly, a recent study from the University of Michigan reveals a disparity between what parents believe about fostering independence and the freedoms they genuinely allow their kids. While the majority of parents recognize the value of unsupervised time, fewer actually permit their children to experience such freedom, often citing concerns over safety, even in cases where the perceived risks are low. This "helicopter parenting" can inadvertently stifle our children's development of critical life skills, such as problem-solving and autonomy.

However, it's not just the overtly protective behavior that poses a challenge. A more subtle concern arises when parents believe their children aren't ready for specific tasks or fear judgment from others for perceived neglect. This societal "blame culture" can contribute to parents holding back, not out of their children's best interests, but due to societal pressures. As our children navigate the crucial early school years, we must find a balance between ensuring their safety and allowing them the room to grow.

Takeaway: How can you start fostering independence?

• Start Small: Begin with low-risk activities to foster independence. Allow your child to spend time at familiar places or engage in simpler tasks like preparing their snack

• Open Dialogue: Initiate conversations before and after independent activities. This can help gauge your child's understanding of safety measures and empower them with necessary guidance

• Self-reflection: Recognize and challenge your own fears. Determine whether they're based on genuine concerns or societal pressures. Adjusting your perspective can pave the way for your child's independence

Trending Stories & Insights

• Bad eyesight used to be attributed solely to genetics. Now, experts agree that something else is going on causing children to go nearsighted much earlier than ever before, resulting from a shift in how kids spend the majority of their time. Too little time outside. Too much time indoors, often staring at screens

• In this now massively viral video, this UPS driver urged men to step up, change the way they think, and take responsibility

• At the age of 80, Robert De Niro recently had his 7th child (his oldest is 52 years old). In a recent interview, he admitted that parenting is different this time around, but that he is also not doing the heavy lifting

Tip of the Day

• The holiday season is nearly upon us. Here are 3 tips for how to survive them if you’re coparenting.

F**k it, here’s a dad joke

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