DISQUS

I figure my job as a parent is to "scaffold" the risks. For example, my 1 year old son loved to climb the ladder (really high) - I would encourage it, but stand underneath to catch him if he fell. Eventually, after doing it enough times, he learned what he could and couldn't do, and I didn't need to stand there any more. On the flip side, I never "encourage" him to do things he doesn't want to do (for example, at a "play gym" class, this woman kept insisting that it's "going through tunnels day" and that that's what I should make him do - NO! He was clearly afraid to do so, and pushing him would ruin the whole experience - when he was finally ready to climb through tunnels, it was a great, enjoyable experience) - I think it's SO important to let them work out what they feel safe with and what they don't. Other parents are often horrified when I let him do supposedly dangerous things, but I know he's capable, because he's practiced all those things in a safe environment (ie. with me) first. He now knows what risks he can take, and those he can't. I never say "don't do that", I say "how can you do that safely?" (perhaps accompanied by an explanation of the risks, if he doesn't yet understand them).

Just my thoughts :)