A Closer Look at David Epstein’s Book “Range”
By Martina Griffin
I want to talk about a book I’ve been reading called Range by David Epstein.
But before I go any further, let me say this: Range is mostly speaking to people who have some financial flexibility—the kind of people who can afford for their kids to try out ten sports, dabble in piano lessons, or take a gap year to “find themselves.” And that’s not every family’s reality.
I know it’s not always mine.
Siafa and I live in that space I call the “appetizer-only families.” We’re in the room—but sometimes can’t afford to order from the menu. We’ve added a few zeros to our income over the years, but with that rise in income came a rise in opportunities—and costs.
We’ve always been in this parenting game to give our kids what we thought they needed to survive (within reason and if we could afford it). And that’s what led us here—to this room where we belong, but sometimes feel like outsiders because we can’t keep up with every club, camp, or activity our kids’ friends are doing.
So if you’re reading this thinking, “We can’t afford travel teams, specialized camps, or extra clubs right now,” you’re not alone. And if you do pick up Range, know going in: it’s a book written mostly for folks with a certain kind of privilege.
But even so, there’s something in it for all of us. Because no matter our bank account, we’re all trying to raise kids who are resilient, curious, and faithful.
What
Range
is About
Range talks about how the world praises people who specialize early—like child prodigies or kids training for the Olympics—but how, in reality, the people who try lots of different things and explore different paths often end up thriving the most. Epstein calls them generalists.
And while I’m not sure about the “thriving” part, I do know that all the versions of me over the years definitely qualify as “range.”
I’ve been a teacher, a homeschooler, a writer, a student, a mother, a woman of faith trying to figure it all out. I’ve gone deep into devotionals one season and gotten lost in classical literature the next. I’ve taught kids how to diagram sentences and am learning how to publish a book. Sometimes, I’ve wondered if all these pieces fit together—or if I’m just scattered.
Range reminded me: they do fit.
Tunnel Vision Parenting
And it’s not just me.
As a mom, I’ve often felt the pressure to help my kids “find their thing.” To give them a path, a focus, a specialty. We parents can get a little tunnel-visioned about wanting our kids to be this or that—a great violinist, a math whiz, a future doctor. But sometimes, in that push for excellence, we forget to let our kids experience life.
Because God didn’t make us only to achieve. He made us to be.
To explore.
To wonder.
To discover parts of ourselves we didn’t even know existed.
Reading Range was a gentle nudge from the Lord, reminding me that my job as a mother isn’t to carve a perfect path for my kids. It’s to give them the freedom to try, to fail, to wander a little. To become whole people, not just narrowly skilled ones.
Not Everyone Has the Same Range
I also want to say this, because it’s on my heart: Not everyone has the same opportunities to “try everything.” Even if your income is not at survival status—it still may be difficult to afford the extras.
I feel that tension myself. My kids go to private school, and I’m grateful. But I can’t always afford French club, traveling baseball, or all the extracurriculars that seem normal for some families. I feel like I’m privileged to be in the room, but I can’t afford the meal. And I wonder if other moms feel that way too.
But here’s the truth: God isn’t tallying up clubs, sports, or stamps in a passport. He’s looking at our hearts. He’s shaping our kids’ lives in ways we might not even see. Whether they specialize early or dabble in a dozen things, He’s the One weaving it all into a beautiful story.
So maybe the takeaway from Range is this:
It’s okay not to specialize right away.
It’s okay to try new things—even as adults.
And it’s okay for our kids to explore before they decide who they’re becoming.
Because God has a plan big enough to weave it all together. Even all the versions of me.
And you.
Closing Reflection
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5-6
Lord, help me guide my children with wisdom, not fear. Remind me that You are writing their story—and mine—with perfect love and infinite creativity. Teach me to trust the journey, even when it doesn’t look like a straight line. Amen.
P.S. Tomorrow, I’m sharing how this idea from Range connects even deeper to the way Siafa and I are raising our kids—and the tension we feel living in middle-income America. I hope you’ll come back and read it.
If this post spoke to you…
Share it with someone who might need it, too. Whether it’s a quiet encouragement or a new way of seeing things, these reflections are meant to be passed along.
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Martina Griffin is a Catholic convert, writer, wife, and mother of four. She writes about faith, motherhood, beauty, books, and the quiet ache of transformation. A lover of popcorn, deep questions, and old classics, she shares her heart at Big Bowl of Popcorn—one post at a time. Instagram | Facebook | Email Me |
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