Free to Fly: How to Stop Overprotecting and Start Fostering Independence in the Next Generation

In Free to Fly, Nicole Runyon reveals how today’s technology is crippling our kids' development, and she offers parents a clear path to reclaim their children’s mental health, build resilience, and foster true independence in the next generation.

Every day, news headlines scream about the mental-health crisis in the United States, especially among youth. Anxiety, depression, and suicide are at record levels, and parents are desperate to seek treatment for their children. They recognize that the kids are not alright but don’t know how to help.

In two-plus decades of working as a child therapist, author Nicole Runyon, LMSW, has seen the devastating effect technology is having on today’s young people. From social media and gaming addiction to pornography and sextortion, children’s innocence and health are being demolished by their virtual realities.

In Free to Fly, Nicole will show you where we’ve gone wrong and how to get back on track, by sharing essential info such as

• the four parts of child development, and how technology use impacts each stage
• the ways children have become disconnected from other people, and from themselves
• the reasons discomfort is critical to resilience, in both parents and children
• strategies for creating boundaries around your child’s technology use
• why therapy isn’t always the answer

Yes, technology is here to stay. But so are you! No one has greater influence on children than their parents. And this book will equip you to determine when and how technology is part of your child’s life, empowering you to make informed decisions. It’s never too late to make choices that will benefit not only your child but also your entire family.

Nicole Runyon, LMSW, is an esteemed psychotherapist, parent coach, and keynote speaker renowned for her expertise in child and adolescent mental health, backed by an extensive 20+ year career.

Nicole’s uniqueness lies in the fact she has an uncanny ability to help adults get in the minds of today’s children and better understand them.

Her extensive knowledge of technology’s impact on mental health, child development, and the intergenerational variations in parenting has made her a highly sought-after speaker who’s captivated small and large audiences alike.

Her highly interactive talks are filled with life-altering aha-moments, paradigm shifts and hilarious personal stories that make tackling the thorny topic of parenting more fun. 

A frequent guest on parenting podcasts, Nicole’s invaluable insights have earned her significant recognition, leading to appearances in the media, where she shares her expertise on the effects of technology on child and adolescent mental well-being. 

Motivated by an unwavering passion for supporting children’s well-being and debunking the poor parenting advice that’s flooded our society, Nicole has dedicated her life’s work to empowering parents and educators to help children grow and mature into young adults with purpose, strength, and confidence.

Nicole resides in Michigan with her husband and 2 children.