EP 41: Raising Free-Range Kids in an Age of Fear & Distraction with Meghan Cox Gurdon

What happens when we become so focused on protecting our children that we begin limiting their opportunities to grow? In this episode of *The My Outdoorsy Mom Podcast*, I’m joined by acclaimed author, longtime *Wall Street Journal* writer, and mother of five Meghan Cox Gurdon. Meghan is the author of *The Enchanted Hour: The Power of Reading Aloud in an Age of Distraction*, a book that profoundly influenced the way I think about children’s literature, family connection, and the importance of reading aloud. Now, she’s returning with *Free Range Girl*, a memoir of her wildly independent childhood in 1970s Maine. Together, we explore what childhood freedom looked like then, what we’ve lost in our modern culture of safety and supervision, and how parents can begin giving their children more opportunities to develop independence, resourcefulness, and wonder. Meghan shares candid stories about riding horses unsupervised, navigating childhood without constant adult oversight, and raising her own five children with an appreciation for freedom—even when that freedom came with real consequences. We also explore the powerful connection between her two books: how outdoor adventure, reading aloud, and freedom from digital distractions can help children develop rich inner lives. This conversation is about more than letting kids climb trees. It’s about raising capable children, making room for wonder, and remembering that childhood was never meant to be entirely risk-free. **About Meghan Cox Gurdon** Meghan Cox Gurdon is a longtime writer for *The Wall Street Journal*, an author, mother of five, and grandmother of three. Her acclaimed book *The Enchanted Hour: The Power of Reading Aloud in an Age of Distraction* explores the emotional, intellectual, and relational benefits of reading aloud. Her new memoir, *Free Range Girl*, revisits her largely unsupervised childhood in 1970s Maine and examines the complicated gifts of independence, risk, and freedom. *Free Range Girl* releases October 20, 2026. You can purchase here. **Where to Find Me:** **Instagram:**  @myoutdoorsymom **Blog & Family Travel Guides:**  myoutdoorsymom.com **Where to Find Meghan**: www.meghancoxgurdon.com *\*Some of the links in this  post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you decide to make a purchase. I only share products and brands I genuinely love and use with my own family. Thanks for supporting My Outdoorsy Mom!*