The Blessing of a Skinned Knee by Wendy Mogel

She asserts, perhaps more than many others, that these skills are made not born. And that is where Mogel’s research quickly gains traction. They are better people because they run, regardless of how fast or slow. However, when I look at the experiences of my own kids, I see the results clearly. Physical, emotional, and psychological gains are an essential result of simply being a runner. Of course, as a life-long runner, I am significantly biased toward the benefits of an active running life. What is it about running that has allowed my kids to become who they are? That common bond, I believe, has helped them evolve into more self-reliant, empathetic young men. While they are three profoundly different personalities, they are all runners. That said, I am rather proud of the way in which they have been brought up as I like to think it has made them more resilient, constructive, and thoughtful. I love my three sons and would pretty much do anything to keep them safe and secure. Not surprisingly, re-reading the book last week got me thinking about my own parenting and the way in which outdoor adventure in general and running in particular has informed my role as a father.Ĭertainly, like most, I am not immune to over-protection. Today, 14 years after the initial publication of The Blessing of the Skinned Knee, Mogel asserts that the problems of over-parenting have only become worse and the consequences have become potentially disastrous.

Most notably, she observed that the modern parent was becoming more and more protective, to the detriment of their children. Mogel reflected on two decades of her work with children and families and made several interesting observations on the ways in which childhood had evolved between the late 1970s and 2000. Back in the summer of 2001, renowned clinical psychologist Wendy Mogel published a marvelous little book entitled The Blessing of a Skinned Knee.

The Blessing of a Skinned Knee by Wendy Mogel