Show Rundown: July 24, 2019
Show Rundown: July 24, 2019
Howard learns about the Dutch “dropping” ritual
Good Morning Everybody!
On the eve of Wednesday’s Stern Show, Howard found himself unable to fall asleep. Hoping to tire his eyes, he picked up a copy of the New York Times, but instead of winding down, Howard became intrigued with a story about a Dutch summer ritual called “dropping.”
“Groups of children, generally pre-teenagers, are deposited in a forest and expected to find their way back to base. It is meant to be challenging, and they often stagger in at 2 or 3 in the morning,” journalist Ellen Barry describes in the report.
In an age where many parents have been accused of so-called “helicopter parenting,” the Dutch tradition is a major departure. The idea is to make children think independently and avoid relying on adults for their every need.
“I’d freak out and I’m not exactly a kid,” Howard remarked with a laugh. And his wife agreed. “[Beth] goes, ‘I wouldn’t even do that with our cat,'” he added.
Robin agreed, telling Howard it sounded like a nightmare for the kids.
Read more about the Dutch ritual of “dropping” here.