Let Grow : Restoring Independence & Resilience
One of the most powerful — and most
overlooked — ways to support a child’s mental
health is to give them more independence.
Not in a push-them-out-of-the-nest way, but in
a steady, developmentally appropriate way that
tells a child:
“You are capable. You can handle things.
I trust you.”
That message rewires anxiety. When kids
regularly practice small acts of autonomy,
their confidence grows, their resilience
increases, and everyday stressors feel less
overwhelming.
Today’s culture tends to lean toward over-supervision and under-estimating kids’ abilities. But the research and real-world outcomes are clear: independence decreases anxiety — and communities can support this shift together.
Catonsville Unplugged proudly supports and amplifies the work of Let Grow, the national nonprofit leading the effort to bring back age-appropriate independence and real-world growth opportunities for kids.
Let Grow offers research, tools, school programs, and community guidance based on a simple truth:
Kids grow stronger when they are trusted with real responsibility, real freedom, and real experiences.
Learn more at https://letgrow.org
Why Screen Time and Independence Must be Addressed Together
We cannot meaningfully reduce our children’s screen time without also expanding their real-world freedoms. If screens shrink but real life doesn’t grow, kids are left with less connection—not more.
Let Grow’s work highlights a core truth:
Kids need something to run toward, not just something to unplug from.
How independence reduces anxiety
Kids become less anxious when they have repeated experiences of managing small challenges on their own. These moments teach the nervous system:
- I can try new things.
- I can recover from discomfort.
- I can figure things out without an adult stepping in immediately.
When kids never get these experiences, everyday tasks can feel intimidating -- even frightening -- because the brain hasn't had practice handling them.
Independence builds:
Competence (I know how to do this)
Confidence (I trust myself to try)
Internal regulation (I can tolerate uncertainty)
Social resilience (I can navigate peers without an adult referee)
Emphasizing real-world autonomy strengthens kids' mental health in ways structured programs cannot replicate.
Screens can soothe boredom but do not build coping. Independence does.
When we increase meaningful real-world experiences, limiting screens becomes both easier and more emotionally protective.
Rethinking Fear: What the Safety Data Actually Shows
For many parents, fear—especially fear of kidnapping—is the main barrier to
letting kids do more on their own.
But decades of crime data tell a very different story:
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Stranger abductions are extremely rare. Based on FBI statistics, the average
child would need to be left unsupervised outdoors for roughly 750,000
years for a typical “stranger kidnapping” to occur.
-
Violent crime in the US peaked in the 1990s, and is now at a level
comparable to early 1970s
The 24-hour news cycle can make it feel like we’re living in an increasingly
dangerous world — because “boring” or “pleasant” days don’t make headlines. The reality is that crime rates are far lower than most people realize. Yes, crime exists, but not at the levels our fear-based media environment suggests.
When we respond to this distorted perception by keeping our children from developing independence, we unintentionally create more anxiety — in them and in us. Kids who never get to practice autonomy grow up feeling less capable, less confident, and more afraid. Parents, constantly on alert, feel the same.
Overprotection, rooted in fear rather than in real risk, has contributed to a generation facing unprecedented levels of anxiety and mental-health challenges. When we let kids do more — safely, gradually, and developmentally appropriately — their confidence grows, their anxiety shrinks, and the whole family becomes more resilient.
Overprotective in the real world… underprotective online
And here's the paradox:
-
In the real world, we are more protective than ever—limiting outdoor play, solo walks, neighbor interactions, errands, and exploration—despite historically low crime rates.
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Online, where actual risks are higher—exposure to adult content, strangers, bullying, addictive design, attention hijacking—we often offer less supervision and fewer community norms.
We end up protecting kids where they don’t need much protection and leaving them vulnerable where they do need it.
This is why balanced independence matters: it protects children not by limiting their world, but by strengthening them for it.
Further reading from Let Grow: https://letgrow.org/the-facts-on-safety/
Why We Need to Do This Together
No single family can shift cultural norms alone.
If one parent lets their kid go to the grocery store or play outside without hovering, they may feel judged—or alone—despite the research supporting them.
But when many families move together:
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Independence becomes normal, not unusual
-
Kids have peers to walk, play, and explore with
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Parents feel supported instead of scrutinized
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The neighborhood becomes safer, stronger, and more connected
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Kids learn real-world competence in developmentally healthy ways
Catonsville Unplugged aims to create this collective shift locally.
A supportive community makes independence easier for everyone.
Unstructured Play: Less Adult Input, More Growth
When adults step back—while still keeping an eye on safety—kids:
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negotiate rules
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solve conflicts
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test ideas
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cooperate and lead
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tolerate frustration
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use imagination
This “light-touch supervision” is a core feature of Let Grow Play Clubs and a key ingredient in healthy child development.
Please read more about kid centered play groups and other ways to build your kids independence in our blog and by visiting
letgrow.com.
Learn More & Get Involved
Explore Let Grow’s full library of research, programs, and resources:
https://letgrow.org
Learn about Catonsville Unplugged and take the local pledge.
Together, we can build a community where independence, safety, connection, and real-world adventures are part of everyday childhood.
