I have definitely observed the "we need to put little johnny in safety padding for all things" amongst my friends and their kids. My kids were free to roam (wit

I have definitely observed the "we need to put little johnny in safety padding for all things" amongst my friends and their kids. My kids were free to roam (within reason) and try things most people shudder at. They learned to cook relatively young, use power tools (after many safety instructions), stay over at friends houses, be around adults talking about adult stuff, etc. They both survived and became healthy, happy young adults (21 and 19 currently) who weren't afraid to take a chance or risk a little pain; they learned that the journey is as important as the end of the trail (learning is a reward, and you'll hit painful road blocks along the way). I had some parents breathless when I told them I let my two 15/13 year olds camp in the woods by a lake over a weekend for fishing and enjoying nature by themselves, because I trusted them to stay out of trouble and use their common sense. I also know they snuck along their handheld gaming devices along with them too and got a chuckle out of their limited rebelliousness. Learn to give kids some slack and they'll set their own goals and not be afraid to go for them.