I’ve always been a huge proponent of, what I call, “Acceptable Risk” with my kids.
I’ve always encouraged them to climb to the top of the highest tree and then figure out how to get down.
To climb to the top of the nearest monkey bars and work their way back.
To slide down the fireman’s pole, to jump into the deep end, to explore, to do what other, more cautious moms might hold their kids back from.
Not because I want them to get hurt, but because I know it’s important to learn how to fall, to figure out the minimally dangerous stuff on their own, so that when the big bad comes around, they have the self-confidence to face it and to make wise decisions.
Doesn’t mean they always take the challenge, but they know that Mommy encourages them to try.
So, I gave a big “Hurrah!” and clapped my hands when I came across this article, yesterday. Seems like I’m not the only one recognizing that we’ve made things so safe for our kids, they aren’t learning how to take the risks or how to recover from the fall.
I particularly liked the second to last paragraph, but overall, great article.
Enjoy.
