
How can children take small steps toward more confidence and competence? How do well-meaning, caring adults get out of the way and enable opportunities for children to test their psychological immune systems, build skills and resilience, and test the boundaries beyond their comfort zones? Jonathan Haidt, author of The Anxious Generation, and his colleague Let Grow Founder Lenore Skenazy offer one way - the Let Grow Project. Read the second installment of how one local mom’s read of The Anxious Generation spurred an interest in “letting go to let grow”.
Planning and Execution: I am nothing if not a planner. I like to know ahead of time what's going on and keep a very organized calendar! So it was with this planning mindset that we prepared for this added responsibility. Shawn - my 9 year old - took the TTC class "Home Alone Safety" a few months ago. I listened in from the background. The facilitator, Frank, offered a very comprehensive class and Shawn answered all his questions correctly. He seemed ready for this added responsibility.
We practiced running through hypothetical situations and he got all those right. What do you do if Matty trips and skins his knee? What do you do if the bus is late? Matty, my 6-year-old, got run through hypotheticals too: What do you do if Shawn tells you to wear sneakers because you have gym? "Put on my sneakers!" What do you do if he tells you it's too cold for a t-shirt? "Put on a sweatshirt!" What do you do if he says, "Drop and give me 20 push-ups"? "Do the push-ups!" I really wasn't expecting his compliance on the last one!
We also embraced technology. We have ring cameras at the front door and in the kitchen, so we can see when they leave and speak to them through the camera. Shawn has his smart watch. He's got an alarm set for when they're supposed to pack up.
Lastly, we had two dry runs in preparation for the first real day. My husband and I took turns being the silent observer - we hung out and watched them the first two days of school just to make sure they didn't run into major problems. It went very smoothly!
How am I feeling about all this? Honestly, I think it's going to be great. Shawn was asking all the right questions: Who's getting Matty off the bus today? Should I leave the dog his bone before we leave? I think they're ready for this independence and we have amazing neighbors who work from home and who will step in if needed. My husband has more reservations and has been hesitant to leave, but all the prep and technology helped to ease his mind. I'm really excited to see how everything goes!
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