Lenore Skenazy is a journalist, author, and leading voice in the movement for childhood independence.
She gained national attention in 2008 after writing about letting her 9-year-old son ride the New York City subway alone, a story that sparked both criticism and support and led to her being labeled “America’s Worst Mom.”
In response, she launched the Free-Range Kids movement and wrote the book Free-Range Kids: How to Raise Safe, Self-Reliant Children (Without Going Nuts with Worry), advocating for parents to give children more freedom and trust.
Skenazy is also the co-founder and president of Let Grow, a nonprofit organization she launched with Jonathan Haidt, Peter Gray, and Daniel Shuchman.
Let Grow works to restore childhood independence by supporting policy changes and creating school programs that encourage kids to take on responsibility, solve problems, and build resilience.