Comments on: Kids Need to Experience Life http://www.whatsgottago.com/2007/06/04/kids-need-to-experience-life/ Sweat the Small Stuff: Ranting about the little peeves in life Sat, 22 Nov 2008 05:27:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Jeremy http://www.whatsgottago.com/2007/06/04/kids-need-to-experience-life/#comment-4049 Jeremy Wed, 06 Jun 2007 14:54:37 +0000 http://www.whatsgottago.com/2007/06/04/kids-need-to-experience-life/#comment-4049 Ali - we are pretty strict on the helmet and protective gear when they do most things. We don't require it on the heelys though when he is just cruising instead of walking, like to school. When he is trying to do more than that, we do. It's definitely tough to regulate protective gear all the time, but that is really my point. We advise, require, etc. with certain boundaries, but at some point you have to let them free to either abide by what they have learned, or learn the hard lessons themselves. As for the hooligans that run into people in the mall, etc., I think of that being more of the child and not the action. That kid is going to get in trouble whether it is on heelys, skateboard, inline, bike, or just running down the hall waving his hands above his head and screaming unintelligibly. :) It's a tough line to walk, but we try to mix control and boundaries along with letting them experience life for better or worse. I just know that throwing out things with potential harm just isn't going to do it. So far no broken arms, but I am counting on it some day in the future... Ali - we are pretty strict on the helmet and protective gear when they do most things. We don’t require it on the heelys though when he is just cruising instead of walking, like to school. When he is trying to do more than that, we do. It’s definitely tough to regulate protective gear all the time, but that is really my point. We advise, require, etc. with certain boundaries, but at some point you have to let them free to either abide by what they have learned, or learn the hard lessons themselves.

As for the hooligans that run into people in the mall, etc., I think of that being more of the child and not the action. That kid is going to get in trouble whether it is on heelys, skateboard, inline, bike, or just running down the hall waving his hands above his head and screaming unintelligibly. :)

It’s a tough line to walk, but we try to mix control and boundaries along with letting them experience life for better or worse. I just know that throwing out things with potential harm just isn’t going to do it. So far no broken arms, but I am counting on it some day in the future…

]]> By: Ali http://www.whatsgottago.com/2007/06/04/kids-need-to-experience-life/#comment-4034 Ali Wed, 06 Jun 2007 12:06:26 +0000 http://www.whatsgottago.com/2007/06/04/kids-need-to-experience-life/#comment-4034 My only comments Jeremy is I hope your son is wearing all the protective gear (helmet, elbow/knee guards) when he "heels" as he would when in-line skating...as the same risks apply. And I hope you do not allow him to "heel" in the Mall, school or on side walks...as a risk to himself and others around him. An elderly woman was knocked down and her arm broken in the Mall near me by a 10 year old on Heelies...the kid came around a corner and bam! Oh and maybe get some extra insurance while you're at it...this lady sued his folks. We all raise our own kids as we see fit. But sometimes we need to remember we share this space we call Earth with others and need to think how our kid’s actions could affect others...JMO. Believe me...my daughter (now 16 and driving)had two broken arms at different times from "being a kid" she rode horses, had scooters, wall rock climbs, competed in dance, gymnastics, surfs, high dives, goes tubing...all the fun stuff but she always was prepared and wore protective gear when called for. She would get so peeved when I made her wear he bike helmet when none of the other kids in my neighborhood does. I am the adult and I need to set limits and rules. So, enjoy your family...they do sound so wonderful and fun and active! LOL! Thanks for sharing your views. :) My only comments Jeremy is I hope your son is wearing all the protective gear (helmet, elbow/knee guards) when he “heels” as he would when in-line skating…as the same risks apply. And I hope you do not allow him to “heel” in the Mall, school or on side walks…as a risk to himself and others around him. An elderly woman was knocked down and her arm broken in the Mall near me by a 10 year old on Heelies…the kid came around a corner and bam! Oh and maybe get some extra insurance while you’re at it…this lady sued his folks.

We all raise our own kids as we see fit. But sometimes we need to remember we share this space we call Earth with others and need to think how our kid’s actions could affect others…JMO.

Believe me…my daughter (now 16 and driving)had two broken arms at different times from “being a kid” she rode horses, had scooters, wall rock climbs, competed in dance, gymnastics, surfs, high dives, goes tubing…all the fun stuff but she always was prepared and wore protective gear when called for. She would get so peeved when I made her wear he bike helmet when none of the other kids in my neighborhood does. I am the adult and I need to set limits and rules.

So, enjoy your family…they do sound so wonderful and fun and active! LOL! Thanks for sharing your views. :)

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