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Yale University graduate Lenore wrote her book Free Range Kids and set up the group of the same name after her story attracted attention all around the world.
Over the last 10 years it’s become an online movement dedicated to giving kids the freedom their parents enjoyed, showing that giving children more independence ELIZABETH Harries has let her older children walk to school by themselves since they were nine.
The hairdresser, who lives in Ruislip, west London, with Layla, 11, Louie, 10, and two-year-old Cerys, also let her eldest go to the cinema by herself with a friend when she was 10. As a result, MUM-of-two Raj Gill, 45, is horrified at the thought of letting her teenage children go out alone.
She and her businessman husband Jugtar, 45, always drive their daughter Karam, 15, and son Jeevan, 13, to where they want to go.
Raj, who lives in Glasgow, said: “I would never allow the makes them happier and improves their mental health.
But while she’s raised awareness of her views, Lenore felt she could do more to get her message across and launched the non-profit Let Grow project in schools across America.
Through Let Grow she is trying to change behaviour.
“You can only change behaviour when a lot of people do it at the Elizabeth, 36 reckons her children are a lot more grown-up and streetwise than others.
She said: “There were a few parents who judged me for letting my kids walk to school by themselves. It’s only a five minute walk, so I didn’t see the problem. I am definitely in the minority but I was children to go out alone. Either me or my husband drive them everywhere.
“If neither of us is around the children have to miss the event or occasion in question or a family member – only a family member – will be drafted in. It has to be an immediate family member, no second cousins or anything. same time. The Let Grow teachers tell their pupils to go home and ask their parents to let them do something on their own. Whether it’s to walk the dog or get to school on their own, ride your bike, babysit your younger siblings…
“Because everyone at the school is doing it, the parents generally say yes. And once the kid has done something on their own the parents are ecstatic with pride.
“We live in an age where it is so difficult to trust. I have been blessed with two children and it is my number one duty to ensure they are safe and well.
“I will go above and beyond to ensure this.
“We fully trust the children but we are afraid of the outside element.” They see that joy. You don’t go back. The fear has been dealt a blow by the reality of the situation. Kids want to grow up.
“They want freedom and want to get away from us. If you raise your kids in a box then they’re afraid of leaving the box.”
You can check out Lenore’s blog at freerangekids.com.
DAILY STAR SUNDAY
SAYS – PAGE 6