ABOUT THIS EPISODE
In Serenbe, we often joke about raising “free-range kids”, but it speaks to something real: a childhood shaped by time outdoors, independence, and a close-knit community. When The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt was released last year, it prompted a national conversation around screen time and youth mental health. Many parents here in Serenbe started to take a more intentional look at how their children engage with technology.
What began as a series of conversations evolved into the Let Them Roam pledge, a shared commitment to delay smartphones until age 14 and social media until 16. Grounded in the idea that collective action makes individual choices more sustainable, the pledge reflects a growing desire to preserve space for a slower, more connected childhood.
In this episode, Monica and Garnie are joined by digital parenting expert Sarah Trombley and Serenbe parent Christen Hadfield. Together, they explore how the pledge came to life, the nuances of parenting in a digital age, and the importance of approaching it all with thoughtfulness and grace. It’s a conversation about balance, community, and the role the environment can play in shaping how kids grow up.
Show Notes
Let Them Roam, Serenbe, Free-Range Kids, Intentional Parenting, Digital Parenting, Screen Time, Social Media, Youth Mental Health, The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt, Sarah Trombley, Digital Mom Media, Terra School, Community, Collective Action, Childhood Development, Parenting in the Digital Age, Family Values, Raising Kids Outdoors
The new book, Start In Your Own Backyard, is out and available for ordering.
Step off the treadmill of life and book a stay at the Inn at Serenbe. Use code Serenbe Stories when you book online or over the phone and receive 10% off your stay!
Learn more about Serenbe and see our Events Calendar. Order your copy of Start In Your Own Backyard: Transforming Where You Live with Radical Common Sense by Serenbe founder Steve Nygren.
