4 ms·

I read a quote recently,"We're not here to stop our kids getting hurt, just to stop them getting maimed or killed". While a bit exaggerated it rings true for me

I read a quote recently,"We're not here to stop our kids getting hurt, just to stop them getting maimed or killed". While a bit exaggerated it rings true for me. I don't see how children can build a worthwhile sense of responsible independence without learning where the boundaries are and how to judge risk for themselves. There is probably a whole book on the subject but I think society has lost some of the ability to look out for others, when I was young if you were hurt or too far from home you could always rely on a neighbour to help and would have no issue in knocking on their door, even the old single guys. The other side of the argument now is the fear of interacting with somebody elses child as and adult, last year I came across a small girl(5/6) who had fallen and grazed her leg and there was nobody else around, I was really deliberate about not touching her in case parent or guardian came around the corner. I felt horrible about it but thats the way things are I guess.

moultano 7y ago
>I read a quote recently,"We're not here to stop our kids getting hurt, just to stop them getting maimed or killed". I agree with this wholeheartedly, but unfortunately the most likely thing to kill them are the cars that are everywhere they might go. My kids are too young for this to be applicable right now, but someday I hope to give them this kind of independence, but I don't know how to do it with the sheer volume of traffic and terrible drivers. I even don't feel safe biking myself. I'm perfectly happy letting them take risks where they might break bones, but I just don't know how to deal with a world where they're reasonably likely to get killed if they're on the street with a bike.
fatnoah 7y ago
>The other side of the argument now is the fear of interacting with somebody elses child as and adult, last year I came across a small girl(5/6) who had fallen and grazed her leg and there was nobody else around, I was really deliberate about not touching her in case parent or guardian came around the corner. I felt horrible about it but thats the way things are I guess. I know the feeling. I was walking my son home from school in downtown Boston and we approached a street corner where two young girls (looked like Grades K and 3) were sitting on the ground. I did go through the mental process of asking myself it was OK to talk to them because my son was with me and then (most importantly) thinking about what I'd want a friendly stranger to do if it was my kid there. As it turns out, they were dropped off by their school bus, but there was a miscommunication between mom and dad about who was to handle pickup. Fortunately the older one knew dad's phone number. He ignored my call, but immediately called when I followed up with a text to explain the situation. You do have to be very careful, though. As a coach of youth sports, a common task for the very young kids is to help them tie things. I'll do shoes, but mom or dad have to help with your shorts.

moultano 7y ago

>I read a quote recently,"We're not here to stop our kids getting hurt, just to stop them getting maimed or killed". I agree with this wholeheartedly, but unfortunately the most likely thing to kill them are the cars that are everywhere they might go. My kids are too young for this to be applicable right now, but someday I hope to give them this kind of independence, but I don't know how to do it with the sheer volume of traffic and terrible drivers. I even don't feel safe biking myself. I'm perfectly happy letting them take risks where they might break bones, but I just don't know how to deal with a world where they're reasonably likely to get killed if they're on the street with a bike.

fatnoah 7y ago

>The other side of the argument now is the fear of interacting with somebody elses child as and adult, last year I came across a small girl(5/6) who had fallen and grazed her leg and there was nobody else around, I was really deliberate about not touching her in case parent or guardian came around the corner. I felt horrible about it but thats the way things are I guess. I know the feeling. I was walking my son home from school in downtown Boston and we approached a street corner where two young girls (looked like Grades K and 3) were sitting on the ground. I did go through the mental process of asking myself it was OK to talk to them because my son was with me and then (most importantly) thinking about what I'd want a friendly stranger to do if it was my kid there. As it turns out, they were dropped off by their school bus, but there was a miscommunication between mom and dad about who was to handle pickup. Fortunately the older one knew dad's phone number. He ignored my call, but immediately called when I followed up with a text to explain the situation. You do have to be very careful, though. As a coach of youth sports, a common task for the very young kids is to help them tie things. I'll do shoes, but mom or dad have to help with your shorts.