logo
episode-header-image
May 2024
23m 27s

Should a 6-Year-Old Go on Solo Walks?

Slate Podcasts
About this episode

On this episode: Zak, Jamilah and Lucy answer a question about a very independent kindergartener. This member of our Slate Parenting Facebook group has a six year old who’s taking solo walks around the neighborhood… and while his parents are cool with it, the neighbors aren’t. How can this mom field questions about why her kid is out by himself – and should he be out, at all? 

 

We also dole out a round of recommendations — and then, for Slate Plus, we debrief on Lucy’s first prom mom experience… and reminisce on proms of yore.


Lucy recommends: Having your kids interview older folks

Zak recommends: Kids clothes shopping at Salvation Army

Jamilah recommends: Doing It All: The Social Power of Single Motherhood by Ruby Russell


Join us on Facebook and email us at careandfeedingpod@slate.com to ask us new questions, tell us what you thought of today’s show, and give us ideas about what we should talk about in future episodes. You can also call our phone line: (646) 357-9318.


If you enjoy this show, please consider signing up for Slate Plus. Slate Plus members get an ad-free experience across the network and exclusive content on many shows—you’ll also be supporting the work we do here on Care and Feeding. Sign up now at slate.com/careplus to help support our work.


Podcast produced by Maura Currie.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Up next
Aug 21
When Your Kid Hates Mornings
This week on Care and Feeding, Zak, Lucy, and Elizabeth tackle a letter from a parent whose mornings are a nonstop battleground. What do you do when your kid just isn’t a morning person, and every transition out the door spirals into crankiness and chaos? The hosts share strategi ... Show More
38m 7s
Aug 18
Managing Screen Time Without Losing Your Mind
Elizabeth and Zak talk with Ash Brandin, author of Power On, about managing screen time without guilt or panic. They discuss realistic strategies and why screen time doesn’t define parenting quality. Then, a listener’s question about school tech mandates gets some thoughtful answ ... Show More
34m 39s
Aug 14
A Doctor’s Take on Your Newborn Worries
On this episode: Zak sits down with Dr. Parga Belinkie, pediatrician and new parent whisperer, to talk about those intense, often foggy first months with a newborn. They get into what matters most in a pediatrician-parent relationship, what’s actually worth worrying about (and wh ... Show More
27m 56s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2024
Care & Feeding: My Mom’s Obsessed With My Baby
On this episode: Elizabeth, Lucy and Zak help a member of the Slate Parenting Facebook group who’s struggling with wrangling her new baby… and the baby’s very clingy new grandma. Grandma’s struggled with loneliness and is-over-the-moon about the baby. But is it time to set some b ... Show More
48m 50s
Mar 2024
How Can Motherhood Change Your Life Ft. Lizzy Mathis
In this episode, we explore motherhood and its challenges with our guest is Lizzy Mathis, host of The Cool Mom Podcast and host of the TV show Honest Renovations with Jessica Alba.We discuss:How motherhood shows us how to value ourselvesHow we become like our parentsUps and downs ... Show More
26m 46s
Feb 2023
What's Your Parenting Style?
Would you let your child wave in the air like they just don't care? Did you know that is part of a type of parenting style? Listen, Ashley and Felicia have been watching this parenting show that has them wondering all the things. Is there one "good" type of parenting style? Shoul ... Show More
25m 32s
Aug 2023
Introducing: Parenting for the Culture, a show from The Black Love Podcast Network
Hey Mama's Den Village! Our ladies are out this week, but we want to introduce you to our friend Charisse Sims and her podcast Parenting for the Culture! Charisse is a mama of 6 (!), wife, and early childhood educator who knows a little about the ins and outs of parenting and mor ... Show More
26m 25s
Jun 17
The Future of Fatherhood: Raising Boys and Ourselves
In this special episode, Dr. Becky shares a powerful live conversation from the Future of Fatherhood Summit, moderated by Maggie McGrath, editor of Forbes Women. Titled “Raising Boys and Ourselves,” the session explores the evolving landscape of modern fatherhood.Dr. Becky dives ... Show More
22m 54s
May 13
Are You A "Yes Mom" Or A "No Mom"? : Episode 517
Some days we’re the “Sure, why not?” mom, and other days we’re the “Because I said so” mom - and often we lean more into one side than the other. Meagan and Sarah unpack what the Yes Mom / No Mom binary really means, the why behind our wiring, how it affects our kids, and how it’ ... Show More
49m 18s
Aug 7
Getting Your Kids to Listen By Focusing on Connection
#083 In this episode Lisa is discussing her thoughts on getting kids to listen by focusing on connection. She touches on the classroom analogy which covers how kids react differently to a pleaser, and authority, and a leader, whether she recommends using the BratBusters Behaviour ... Show More
27m 33s
Aug 2024
Is Holding Your Child Accountable Truly Necessary?
Imagine this: Your child has just knocked over their sibling's Lego creation, and you’re torn between wanting to gently correct their behavior and wondering if there’s a better way. Is it really about making them say, "I'm sorry," or is there a deeper lesson to be learned ... Show More
20m 46s
May 1
10 Common Parenting Phrases to Avoid
#055 In today’s episode, Lisa goes through her thoughts around 10 common parenting phrases she would avoid, and what she would use instead. These phrases include: use your words, why would you do that, listen to me, don’t roll your eyes at me, and more. Additionally, Lisa answers ... Show More
41m 51s