We need to let 3-year-olds climb trees and 5-year-olds use knives

[JEDI]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chris...n-parents-got-it-all-backwards_b_3202328.html

American Parents Got It All Backwards

In Sweden, The first time she saw a 3-year-old high up in a tree at preschool, she started searching for the teacher to let her know. Then she saw another parent stop and chat with one of the little tree occupants, completely unfazed. It was clear that no one but Brittany was concerned.

the relaxed approach to risk-taking and safety actually keeps our children safer by honing their judgment about what they're capable of.


Let them take risks. Stop bubblewrapping kids

 

[jackschmittusa]

I've climbed stuff as long as I can remember. Had a little knife I got at a carnival or amusement park for carving on sticks and poking scary looking bugs. Even used it on the school playground.

I let my kids climb trees (had to pick them up to the first branch). My daughter wasn't too interested in trees, but all of them loved climbing at an old rock quarry when they were in grade school.

Good physical skill building for them and a sense of personal accomplishment that did not require any "been there like everybody else" trophies.

 

[michal1980]

this isn't the first time a study like the came out.

 

[Murloc]

yeah I remember cutting off a piece of skin from my knuckle when I was a kid.
I also climbed a tree in the garden since I can remember.

These articles are useless, she's just projecting the fact that she was a psycho mom on "american mothers". There are overprotective mothers anywhere in the world.

 

[Doppel]

I think the worst parents I see are older ones, though I've not looked for any study on it, but it seems to me that people who become parents for the first time well into their 30's are the most petrified, scared, helicopter parents.

That said I can recall to mind immediately three fathers I know who are incapable of being alone around their kids without anxiety. I'm not talking babies, but even kids of 3 or 4 years old the father is just completely unsure of himself without the Mom around. That is downright pitiful. Two of them are have managerial positions in white collar professions, but for some reason just lack the confidence to be around their own kids alone.

 

[jagec]

She's already done enough damage to her kid by saddling them with that last name.

 

[HomerJS]

While I agree with the OP people here have a problem with moderaiton. Example wine is served in jr high/middle schools in France. Studies over years say wine with dinner is healthier then without. The US can't seem to handle it becuase we will go overboard.

 

[waggy]

the article does bring up some good points. Yes you should let kids climb trees (my son loves it. though i had to get him down once heh), use knives (both have pocket knives)

I do think we have kids in school to long. especially at the younger ages. They need breaks for playing. I remember having early recess, lunch recess and late recess. My son gets early recess (10 minutes. most of that spent in a line!) and lunch recess they get 20 minutes to eat and play. just not enough time for young kids. they NEED to run around for a bit. To many schools try to cram as much into the day as they can i think is overload for many kids.

I am not to keen on frustrating the kid for the sake of frustrating them. When they run into a problem i am and get frustrated i do encourage them to work through it until they get it. I don't like the idea of setting them up for frustration though.

Same with family obligations. Sorry it is not my kids job to take care of me when i am older. that is the time they should be taking care of there children or enjoying life. I have saved in order to take care of myself.

 

[Leymenaide]

They have to let kids get dirty also. I never found a pile of earth I did not want to play in and my mother could not keep me out of my grandfathers cow barn. My happiest memories are when I came home with my jeans caked in filth.

As a science teacher I had to send a note home that kids were subject to and expected to get dirty in my class. Dress accordingly. Never had a parent complaint.

 

[Exterous]

I do think American parents have this idea that there should be no unhappiness or pain involved in childhood if there is the slightest possibility that it can be avoided. However - a small facet of raising a child that works well in another country doesn't mean it would work well here. There needs to be a cultural foundation to support that method. Personally I think we need to get away from the 'Super special snowflake that can't be hurt in anyway' and 'someone must be to blame' and a lot of our issues will fix themselves

Studies over years say wine with dinner is healthier then without.

There are also allegations that the benefits of drinking wine have been greatly exaggerated.

For example:

Most research on resveratrol has been done on animals, not people. Research in mice given resveratrol suggests that the antioxidant might also help protect them from obesity and diabetes, both of which are strong risk factors for heart disease. However, those findings were reported only in mice, not in people. In addition, to get the same dose of resveratrol used in the mice studies, a person would have to drink over 60 liters of red wine every day.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/red-wine/HB00089

and

A University of Connecticut researcher known for his work on red wine's benefits to cardiovascular health falsified his data in more than 100 instances

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/45959905/ns/health-health_care/#.UYudXLWsiSp

 

[Nebor]

It's just nannying down to the lowest level. We're so insulated from reality through most of our lives that people think that any pain or inconvenience should be avoided or prevented. It gives us soft kids that grew up through unexciting childhoods and then want the government to provide them that same level of protection\insulation as adults.

 

[mammador]

Modern parenting values are too PC.

PC society says that parenting is a partnership. lol..

Sorry, but not all human relationships are of equal weighting. parents rule children, period. This does not justify abuse, can a 5 year old really be of equal weighting to a parent?

Another thing is this spanking issue. Most older people show no sign of mental trauma due to getting spanked.

 

[mammador]

I do think American parents have this idea that there should be no unhappiness or pain involved in childhood if there is the slightest possibility that it can be avoided. However - a small facet of raising a child that works well in another country doesn't mean it would work well here. There needs to be a cultural foundation to support that method. Personally I think we need to get away from the 'Super special snowflake that can't be hurt in anyway' and 'someone must be to blame' and a lot of our issues will fix themselves



There are also allegations that the benefits of drinking wine have been greatly exaggerated.

For example:


http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/red-wine/HB00089

and


http://www.nbcnews.com/id/45959905/ns/health-health_care/#.UYudXLWsiSp

yeah.. I'd bet scientists who believe alcohol is evil sponsored that data or digged it up..

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

My grandfather taught me about shooting when I was 5. Not just to hold and hit the target but "The Rules" which was safety and etiquette. I had to be able to demonstrate my understanding before I could touch the rifle and I was supervised and had The Rules repeated and reinforced. Like most things learned when young they stuck. No doubt many these days would be appalled.

 

[mizzou]

Running in the woods, swinging on vines, playing with fire, and climbing every tree. I loved my childhood, every burn, cut and bruise of it!

 

[Doppel]

There are also allegations that the benefits of drinking wine have been greatly exaggerated.

No surprise there. Despite some mild benefits of alcohol in some circumstances, taken as a whole it's a highly, massively injurious substance on health for society in general.

 

[piasabird]

As long as it is your kids, I am fine with that.