From backyard adventures to the aisles of your local H-E-B, why letting our children navigate the world without us is the greatest medicine for modern parenting stress.
For the last generation, kids have been getting less and less unsupervised time, and the adult takeover of childhood is making everyone—parents and kids alike—more anxious.
We somehow now believe that if our kids aren't with us, they are in terrible danger.
But the truth is, when adults aren't there to organize the game or high-five every move, kids actually learn more.
They learn executive function, focus, compromise, and communication just by negotiating a messy game with friends.
They learn how to be a functioning human being.
"I did it myself!" are the magic words of childhood.
They are the original anxiety buster.
We are most proud of our kids when they do something on their own, and they are most proud of themselves too.
Whether it's walking to a friend's house or just going to another aisle in the grocery store, those small acts of independence build a lot of confidence!
The solution to both the parent and kid anxiety crisis is to pull those worlds apart again.
Give them a "wildlife sanctuary for childhood" where they can have adventures without constant adult supervision.
Be brave enough to send them for a can of peas today.
I promise they—and you—will feel smarter and less anxious for it.
Dr. Camilla Gupta is a board-certified pediatrician at ABC Pediatrics in Corpus Christi, TX.
Visit her main website to book a prenatal visit, transfer care or book an appointment.