The Key Principles of Free Range Parenting

Independence: Free range parenting is a type of parenting that believes they should slowly, as their child gets older, allow them to make choices and do tasks that are fitting for their maturity and age.

kidsinplayhouseBoy and girl looking out separete windows of a playhouse.

This includes letting the kid’s walk to school on their own, or explore nature and play outside unsupervised.

An Example of My Childhood:

I was raised this way sometimes, however, the rest of the time my parents were very strict, more on the authoritarian side and spankings from my mom.

When we were kids, my sisters and I did this all the time, however, times were different then.

Back in the 70’s, there wasn’t so much crime or anything parents needed to worry about not to mention we lived out in the country where all was pretty safe. 

We often played outside unsupervised or walked in nature and if we fell and broke a leg or something a sibling would run and get mom.

We also walked to the bus on our own which was just over a mile. Oops, did I just say that out-loud? Ha ha! We did though, really.

"You cannot raise your children as your parents raised you, because your parents raised you for a world that no longer exists."

Risk Taking: For free range parents, it’s important to allow their children to take some risks and learn lessons. Like riding their bikes, climbing trees and possibly trying some other risky activities.

However, they never allow their children to be exposed to any unnecessary dangers. 

An Example of My Childhood and Free Range Parenting

My parents always allowed us to take risks, it was actually fun. 

My sisters, (there was 5 of us, no boys) and I would climb trees, we went on those wooden swing sets, rode bikes and so much more. For me, the playing part of being a kid was so much fun!

When we rode our bikes, we’d (my sisters and I), would go up this really steep hill, (well at least it felt like it was when we were younger, I went back to it when I was much older and it was wasn’t nearly as steep). 

Anyway, we would go down the hill with our legs up off the pedals and go so fast. If we didn’t keep the bars straight we would end up in the ditch, we’d get up, go home and as long as we weren’t bleeding, my mom would just tell us to shake it off or whatever.

Oh, and also, we didn’t have to wear helmets. 

girlonbikefeetupAdult female riding a bike with her legs held up high and a look of excitement on her face.

We’d go on the swings (my dad built a swing set like you use to find in the parks, it had the really tall poles and wooden seats, that you could actually sit on and be comfy) and once we got going really high, we would jump off.

Today the swings just squish your butt and they are next to impossible to jump off of.

And then there was the slide. It may have been made of metal and was hot as heck when the sun was out, but we’d just put a towel on it and wee! The best part is that it was so long. 

kidsclimbingtreeTwo children climbing a tree.

We climbed trees often, my parents didn’t like that so much, especially if we wanted to climb the bigger ones, because if we fell, then we couldn’t do our chores and God forbid that happen. (We had a lot of chores).

I lived on a farm and in one of the barns we had a rope tied to the roof. Dad put a large knot in the bottom of it and we would stand on it, swinging from one side of the barn to the other and then jump off into the hay, it was so much fun. Look out Tarzan!

I would swing on it all day if I could, but we had to unload the hay.

And guess what, the only time I broke a bone was when a friend and I were wrestling and he broke my collarbone. 

And here I am today, I turned out okay!

An Example of My Kids Childhood

When raising my kids, I wanted them to experience some of those freedoms, like I did, you know, just be kids, but due to the many dangers in society, I knew we had to set some rules and precautions.

kidridingbikeYoung child riding a bike with helmet.

I would allow them to ride their bikes whenever they wanted, but I had to be able to see them, and they had to wear a helmet even though they hated them.

They had to, it was the law and we lived in town where there were a lot more paved rodes. 

They were allowed to go on the swings of their choice, ie the old style or new. If they got a splinter, I’d take it out, no big deal. I let them climb trees, just not too big, they also had to wear helmets climbing trees. 

Parenting is harder today. There are more rules and more dangers in the world.

Now Continuing with the Key Principles of Free Range Parenting

Trust: Free range parenting implements a trust in their child to make the right decisions whenever they can.

By allowing their kids to have some independence and freedom, they are simply showing their children that they are confident in their ability to be responsible.

* Trusting your children is so important in any style, type, method or strategy of parenting.

Resilience: Free range parenting encourages resilience by letting their child face setbacks and challenges and learn how to deal with them on their own.

This could be something like dealing with disappointment, or confronting conflicts with peers or even trying to figure out solutions to problems.

The objective is accomplishing these skills without the parents intervention. 

Community Involvement: Free range parents believe that neighbours and the community should be supportive in raising their children.

They think that the neighbourhood folk should provide a sense of belonging and a connection to their kids.

This is where the children are watched over by all of the adults and the kid’s can then feel safe when exploring their surroundings. 

Open Communication: Open communication is encouraged by free range parenting offering someplace where kids can feel comfortable expressing their concerns, thoughts and feelings.

Parents can offer their children support and guidance while respecting their independence. 

Woman and Child playing with Sensory ToysWoman and child sitting at table, looking at one another and playing with sensory toys.

Remember that the most important thing about this type of parenting is that it’s not about lack of supervision or neglect.

It’s about providing a balance between guidance and freedom so that kids are aware that there is more to life than just being told how they should live. 

Also, keep in mind, every child is different, each one may need to be raised in at least a slightly different way.

Ultimately, free range parenting is about raising self-confident, independent and capable children who are equipped to handle the problems that will need to be dealt with in society.