Uploaded May 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
If you've ever scrolled through r/Parenting on Reddit or a mom support group on Facebook, you know raising kids has become a minefield. Every tip has a counter tip, every method a manifesto, and a quick Google can surface a myriad of new worries. Parents have splintered into camps — sleep train or co-sleep? Hand over the iPad or redirect to the Pinterest-perfect Montessori shelves? Somewhere along the way, older generations started looking at younger generations and asking: Are the parents alright?
In this episode of “Generational Divides", three generations tackle some of the thorniest questions in modern parenting:
Has social media made parenting harder?
Does gentle parenting work?
Should kids be free to roam?
For Baby Boomers: Lenore Skenazy, Co-founder of the Free-Range Kids movement
For Gen X: Reshma Saujani, Founder of Girls Who Code; CEO of Moms First
For Millennials: Kristin Gallant, Co-founder of Big Little Feelings
Nick Gillespie, Editor-at-Large at Reason, is the guest moderator.
About Generational Divides:
Smart, contrarian, and funny, Generational Divides with Nick Gillespie embodies Open to Debate’s commitment to lively, nuanced discourse in an age of echo chambers. With provocative prompts, generationally diverse guests, and Gillespie’s trademark wit guiding the way, the series invites listeners to question their assumptions and join a conversation that’s as entertaining as it is enlightening.
Special thanks to Liberty Ears Foundation who made this series possible.
#generations #boomer #genx #millennial #parenting #motherhood
Visit our Substack to watch more insightful debates and subscribe to our newsletter.
===================================
Subscribe on Substack: opentodebate.substack.com
Official site: opentodebate.org
X: twitter.com/OpentoDebateOrg
Facebook: facebook.com/BeOpentoDebate
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/opentodebate
Instagram: instagram.com/opentodebateorg
TikTok: tiktok.com/@opentodebateorg
Open to Debate Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/bdzmz5xt
Open to Debate Spotify Podcasts: tinyurl.com/22tuxu7h
===================================
00:00:00 — Introduction: Are the Parents Alright?
00:04:18 — What is the Goal of Parenting?
00:07:05 — Is Parenting Harder Today?
00:09:35 — How Much Does Parenting Actually Matter?
00:13:46 — How Has Parenting Changed Across Generations?
00:21:52 — What Is Gentle Parenting?
00:27:29 — The Three Parenting Styles, Explained
00:38:11 — Are We Raising a Generation of Snowflakes?
00:42:08 — Lightning Round
00:46:40 — Should Kids Have More Freedom to Roam?
00:52:50 — Where Does Parenting Fear Come From?
00:58:14 — Is Social Media Making Parenting Harder?
01:06:11 — Final Thoughts
If you've ever scrolled through r/Parenting on Reddit or a mom support group on Facebook, you know raising kids has become a minefield. Every tip has a counter tip, every method a manifesto, and a quick Google can surface a myriad of new worries. Parents have splintered into camps — sleep train or co-sleep? Hand over the iPad or redirect to the Pinterest-perfect Montessori shelves? Somewhere along the way, older generations started looking at younger generations and asking: Are the parents alright?
In this episode of “Generational Divides", three generations tackle some of the thorniest questions in modern parenting:
Has social media made parenting harder?
Does gentle parenting work?
Should kids be free to roam?
For Baby Boomers: Lenore Skenazy, Co-founder of the Free-Range Kids movement
For Gen X: Reshma Saujani, Founder of Girls Who Code; CEO of Moms First
For Millennials: Kristin Gallant, Co-founder of Big Little Feelings
Nick Gillespie, Editor-at-Large at Reason, is the guest moderator.
About Generational Divides:
Smart, contrarian, and funny, Generational Divides with Nick Gillespie embodies Open to Debate’s commitment to lively, nuanced discourse in an age of echo chambers. With provocative prompts, generationally diverse guests, and Gillespie’s trademark wit guiding the way, the series invites listeners to question their assumptions and join a conversation that’s as entertaining as it is enlightening.
Special thanks to Liberty Ears Foundation who made this series possible.
#generations #boomer #genx #millennial #parenting #motherhood
Visit our Substack to watch more insightful debates and subscribe to our newsletter.
===================================
Subscribe on Substack: opentodebate.substack.com
Official site: opentodebate.org
X: twitter.com/OpentoDebateOrg
Facebook: facebook.com/BeOpentoDebate
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/opentodebate
Instagram: instagram.com/opentodebateorg
TikTok: tiktok.com/@opentodebateorg
Open to Debate Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/bdzmz5xt
Open to Debate Spotify Podcasts: tinyurl.com/22tuxu7h
===================================
00:00:00 — Introduction: Are the Parents Alright?
00:04:18 — What is the Goal of Parenting?
00:07:05 — Is Parenting Harder Today?
00:09:35 — How Much Does Parenting Actually Matter?
00:13:46 — How Has Parenting Changed Across Generations?
00:21:52 — What Is Gentle Parenting?
00:27:29 — The Three Parenting Styles, Explained
00:38:11 — Are We Raising a Generation of Snowflakes?
00:42:08 — Lightning Round
00:46:40 — Should Kids Have More Freedom to Roam?
00:52:50 — Where Does Parenting Fear Come From?
00:58:14 — Is Social Media Making Parenting Harder?
01:06:11 — Final Thoughts
