Dangerous things you should let your kid do

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webbie

webbie

Seasoned Moderator
Hearth Supporter
Nov 17, 2005
12,165
Western Mass.
I knew they would include fire......

Not trying to tell anyone how to parent, but was just telling the wife yesterday how they allowed 6 year olds to handle firearms at overnight camp. We also dealt with kilns (hot!), bonfires, boats and lots of other dangerous things. In fact, there were 100 foot cliffs with no fence keeping us away!

I'd guess that most hearthians (a new word) don't fall for the "keep they safer at any price" routine, but thought this was a video worth sharing anyway. Since we all will deal with fire, sharp stuff, tools, cars, etc. our whole lives, it makes sense to develop a sense of responsibility and carefulness early (IMHO)....

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tedtalks/watch-5-dangerous-things-_b_4569175.html
 
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I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments behind this talk. We grew up with little restrictions in our lives. Our folks wanted us outdoors as much as possible unless the weather was really lousy. My dad let me have all sorts of interesting things to take apart including a tv, sw radio, clocks, and an old oil burner transformer (made great jacob's ladders). Dad showed us how to make firecans to light up the night. He left an old panel truck at the house that I must have put a 1000 miles on by the time I was 12 (in my imagination). The first time I actually drove at 13, it was a shift car and I drove it fine. We road up to our summer cottage in the back of a pickup, loving the experience.

The result of all this dangerous exposure was confidence to take risks. I had learned the limits and dangers of fire, electricity, sharp objects, water, etc.. Sure I got burned, scraped, shocked, etc. but this was the best education of my life. It taught me not to be afraid of taking risks and to have confidence in my decisions when trying new things. What kind of new generation will we be raising if they don't learn how things work and to take risks?
 
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Makes me think of when I had the store - folks would come in and while the stove was roaring they'd put their finger out to touch it and at the same time be looking at me and asking "is it hot?"......
>>

So this won't be the first generation so protected......this was in the early 80's.

Sure, we need to tame the beast but not that far! If an animal knows enough not to touch a hot stove which is radiating, so should a human!
 
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You mean to tell me that when I was in boy scouts at 12yo; building a campfire, eating a meal cooked over an open fire, eating that food without first scrubbing my hands for 1 minute with anti-bacterial soap, shooting a bow and arrow, shooting a .22, going in the creek with only a canoe and paddle, hiking a narrow mountain trail with no guards on the cliff side, staying in a tent in the rain or sub-freezing temps, living in the mountains for a week without electricity or indoor plumbing, repelling over a cliff, playing hockey on a frozen pond - I was in danger of being hurt? How could my parents have been so cruel? :rolleyes:

When my oldest daughter was 2.5yo, I took her to the local creek one hot summer day. We were sitting in about 10" of water. She was picking up the pebbles and silt from the creek bed and letting it drop back in the water. Well one time she decided she was curious as to what it might taste like. :eek: Before I knew what was happening, she had a mouthful of creek muck. I quickly cleaned her mouth out as best I could but I'm sure some that silt got into her stomach. Guess what? She didn't get sick, she's still alive and she's a mother herself now. Could she have gotten sick? Possibly. But she didn't and I figure that little incident gave her body a few new anti-bodies. She still cringes when I tell the story to someone.
 
I keep trying to convince my kiddo to drive us home when I meet the girls for burrito and beer. And to take a turn on long trips. He refuses
 
My dad had me driving extra early, especially at night. I didn't know it at the time but he was fighting macular degeneration and his night vision was failing.
 
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I got my license at 14. I got the highest grade in our driver's ed. class. I totaled my first three cars. ;em
 
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Nice TED video. I love those vids..

I let my son (3) cut veggies with sharp knives when I am cooking (with supervision) and use my nail guns/chops saw while I build. Obviously he requires lots of supervision but I take my time. I taught him the dangers of the tools and he understands (IE I asked him to chop a 2X4 with his hand, he said it didn't work and it really hurts, then I show him what the chop saw did...).

My wood stove has no gate around it> My 14month old has a fear/respect for it. Everytime he would go near it in the fall I would say "Liam, it's HOT. Tsssssss". Now I just gotta say "Liam, Tsssss" and he nearly starts to cry. When talking by the stove he accelerates his waddle to get past it.

Andrew
 
At 2 and 3 my grandsons had their own tractor (a small lawn mower converted to electric) with a trailer that had a boat seat for the one that wasn't driving. I believe heavily in safety, but I don't coddle.
 
I teach my sons early. By 10-12 years old they are already rewiring houses, doing plumbing,drywall and concrete work. Even if they become professionals and dont do this kind of work for a living,i always tell them its always a good idea to diversify and have more than one skill. It also shows them how hard some jobs are and lets them make informed decisions about their career choice.
 
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The amount of money you save by doing your own house repairs and other such stuff is probably pretty amazing...once compounded. Over the 35 years of home ownership, I hardly ever remember having to call in the pros. Of course, I had my store installation crew sometimes stop over on their slow days and take care of things....
::-)
 
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Another good reason for kids to tinker with stuff: It keeps their mid occupied and keeps em out of trouble. Ever hear "an idle mind is the devils playground"
 
begreen said:
I wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments behind this talk. We grew up with little restrictions in our lives. Our folks wanted us outdoors as much as possible unless the weather was really lousy. My dad let me have all sorts of interesting things to take apart including a tv, sw radio, clocks, and an old oil burner transformer (made great jacob's ladders). Dad showed us how to make firecans to light up the night. He left an old panel truck at the house that I must have put a 1000 miles on by the time I was 12 (in my imagination). The first time I actually drove at 13, it was a shift car and I drove it fine. We road up to our summer cottage in the back of a pickup, loving the experience.

The result of all this dangerous exposure was confidence to take risks. I had learned the limits and dangers of fire, electricity, sharp objects, water, etc.. Sure I got burned, scraped, shocked, etc. but this was the best education of my life. It taught me not to be afraid of taking risks and to have confidence in my decisions when trying new things. What kind of new generation will we be raising if they don't learn how things work and to take risks?
Click to expand...
Natural selection at its finest.
 
We covered the "dangerous" things when the kids were younger. They have watched/helped fix appliances around the home - with a twist - it was Mom who replaced the tub bearing and pump in the washing machine. They watched and later enjoyed the climber and swing set that Mom built for them. Can't remember how many times I was looking for a hammer or hand saw only to find out it was at the "fort." Missing rope? They used to climb the small rock ridge near the house ... probably rope still dangling from a tree at the top;lol Screw drivers, wrenches would disappear for fixing bikes or taking something apart. I know I've bought a few computer repair tool sets ... yeah, he's an IT guy now. Dad was a pocket knife guy so they had them too.

I encouraged all my children (boys and girls) to take at least one shop course - I have the Muskoka chairs to prove it! The rationale was to build confidence with power tools and be more self-sufficient in the future.

Children are self-reliant and confident adults. But when they come home for a get together, we usually play with fire. Bonfires with a few adult beverages are a favorite;)
 
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oh man , if i had a year to list out all the things i did as a kid that scare the heck out of me today..

was a different time back then , if i let my kids do the stuff we did social services would come get them and send me to jail ;lol
 
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I am amazed I never broke anything besides a sled with some of the steep hills and runs we would tackle for thrills. Riding a sled towed behind a 4wd jeep on snowy public roads we were probably lucky we didn't get killed.
 
At 3-4 I was sitting in a sawyers booth of one of the most modern mills around on my dads lap when my mom went shopping or other necessities.
At 11 I was running log skidder on one of the big woods crews and at 14 was delivering lumber when the yard man got drunk and didn't show to work. I really don't know how I pulled that off but the family didn't give a chit as long as the lumber got to market. I look at what I did at a very young age and then at the kids today and shake my head.
 
Leading cause of death in adolescent is adrenalin - never stopped me from looking over the edge - or climbing down to see what was down there for that matter.
 
kids these days...no roman candle fights, no lawn darts, no white gas lanterns/stoves, fewer fireworks, saftey helmets for biking,skiing,sledding,sleeping, and eating. Childproof (more like adult proof IMO) lighters. Now the only trouble you can find is really bad trouble...prescription drugs, guns, and freerunning. Sometimes I miss the good ole days of getting hurt just a bit to remind you not to do that again.
 
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