free-range parenting

[ free-reynj pair-uhn-ting, par-uhn-ting ]

noun

1. Informal. a style of child rearing in which parents allow their children to move about without constant adult supervision, aimed at instilling independence and self-reliance.

Word History and Origins

Origin of free-range parenting¹

First recorded in 2005–10; free-range

Example Sentences

He enjoys Sinatra, dry martinis at dusk, free-range parenting and baseball while disliking football, basketball, rock, pop, denim, video games, Planned Parenthood and public-service announcements at airports.

From Washington Post

My style, which revolves around limiting kids' independence only to the extent necessary to protect them from risks that are both serious and fairly likely to materialize, is now known as "free-range parenting" in the United States, despite the fact that much of the world—including the majority in countries like Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, France, and Israel—just calls it "parenting."

From Salon

Or do I practice free-range parenting?

From New York Times

“Oh, everything’s fine. She’s not with me right now. Letting kids do things by themselves is called free-range parenting. So we can learn to make good choices.”

From Literature

A movement for “free-range parenting” has pushed back against this culture of obsessive supervision, which also criminalizes the dilemmas faced by single parents, two-career parents, and parents who don’t earn enough to pay for constant childcare.

From The New Yorker