Author Lenore Skenazy Keynotes NH Children in Nature Conference Oct 4
OutdoorHub 09.10.12
Lenore Skenazy, “America’s Worst Mom” and author of the book, Free-Range Kids: How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children (Without Going Nuts with Worry) will be the featured speaker at the New Hampshire Children in Nature conference “Discovering Nature Wherever You Are” on October 4, 2012, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at Castleton Conference Center in Windham, N.H.
“Lenore Skenazy is a vivacious, funny and thought-provoking advocate of encouraging parents to lighten up and let their kids … be kids!” said Marilyn Wyzga, convener of the N.H. Children in Nature Coalition. “Her notion of Free-Range Kids is giving children a little more freedom to take risks, to explore, learn, grow and thrive. Open the door, let them go out and play!”
If you’re interested in finding ways to encourage kids and families to get outside and enjoy nature, no matter where they are, register for the conference at http://www.nhchildreninnature.org/events. The registration fee is $50, which includes 3 workshop sessions, lunch and refreshments. The day will showcase the many ways children, youth and families can play, learn and grow with nature in their everyday lives, particularly in our urban communities.
Lenore Skenazy was dubbed “America’s Worst Mom” after her April 2008 column in The New York Sun described her making the controversial decision to let her 9-year-old son take the New York City subway home alone. She wore the badge with pride and founded the book and blog, “Free-Range Kids,” which launched the anti-helicopter parenting movement. Her feisty belief that our kids are safer and smarter than our culture gives them credit for has landed her on talk shows from Dr. Phil to The View. She lectures internationally and has written for everyone from The Wall Street Journal to Mad Magazine. As host of the reality TV show, World’s Worst Mom, she helps overprotective parents loosen the reins. A graduate of Yale, she lives in New York City with her husband and two sons, who are half-Free-Range, half-Facebook addicts. One thing she understands: None of us is a perfect parent – and that’s okay.
Drawing on facts, statistics, and humor, Skenazy convincingly argues that this is one of the safest periods for children in the history of the world, and reminds us that childhood is supposed to be about discovering the world, not being held captive.
