If you have learned anything from my profile, you know that it is a waste of time to read my opinions. So please skip ahead to some cute pictures. Because here is one of my opinions about parenting.
It is a waste of time to tell a child to be “CAREFUL!!” We all do it and I witness it at the playground a lot. But here’s the problem with it. First of all, it is usually said too late. Secondly, there’s no instruction or learning that comes with that warning-command. And thirdly, an activity that a child was going to be perfectly capable of doing now makes the child nervous and eventually, they become little wimps. Yeah, I said the “W” word.
My philosophy is to let them be. They rarely really hurt themselves by climbing or trying new things. Kids over 18 months old have some sort of self-preservation mechanism that is usually working. They’re going to be fine. And what's more, they’re going to develop a lot of confidence and a sense of adventure. Granted, I can’t tease apart the influence of my parenting style from the genetic sequences inherited from Dwayne, who am I sure was a handful as a child, but I rarely find a physical activity I’m prepared to prohibit.
Piper found such an activity today. Yeah, Piper. Shocking, huh?
Can you tell what she’s attempting to do here?
That, my friends, is a 3 year old scootering on a 10” ledge with a 4’ drop on the other side. Without a helmet. And more brick walls, and rose bushes, below.
But usually, I’m much happier cheering for a new skill than cringing.
Here’s Kyla today figuring out how to use the ladder to do flips.
Swings are good, too.
I don’t have pictures of the girls standing up facing outwards on the tire swing, but here’s Piper going down the slide backwards and head first.
Wesley likes watching Piper, but is pretty happy to let his feet go first down the slide.
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