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Yes, one example of this would be deciding whether to do something forbidden by the parent.
Say you had a rule that while at the park, Jennifer is not allowed to go to the edge of the stream. If you're there, even under lurker status, she's not going to go because you're there and she could get into trouble.
Once there's no parent there to answer to, it's up to the child to make the decision - does she do the right thing even though there's nobody to catch her doing what she's been told not to?
Just using the park as an example, it could be anywhere the child is not supervised directly by the parents.
There are plenty of situations/scenarios that shape our character growing up when we have to answer to/decide for ourselves and ourselves alone.
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Yes, one example of this would be deciding whether to do something forbidden by the parent.
Say you had a rule that while at the park, Jennifer is not allowed to go to the edge of the stream. If you're there, even under lurker status, she's not going to go because you're there and she could get into trouble.
Once there's no parent there to answer to, it's up to the child to make the decision - does she do the right thing even though there's nobody to catch her doing what she's been told not to?
Just using the park as an example, it could be anywhere the child is not supervised directly by the parents.
There are plenty of situations/scenarios that shape our character growing up when we have to answer to/decide for ourselves and ourselves alone.
And a lovely life lesson when they choose to do what they are not supposed to do and need to deal with the real consequences of those actions without Mom or Dad there to rescue you. The child goes tot he edge of the strem, falls in and has to get herself all the way home soaking wet for example.
There is a balance to be struck. You need to protect them from real significant harm. But light non-permanent harm is a really strong educator!
I think you are being irresponsible. There are many ways to allow children to feel responsible, to learn age appropriate skills. Voluntarily putting them at risk is not one of them. Kids are not safe these days....not alone in a park and not walking home by herself...No........ Just what are you thinking?? Question....have you done the sex offender search for your town?? National Sex Offender Registry - Family Watchdog Welcome to Kids Live Safe
Quote:
Originally Posted by hml1976
I'm going to bring my almost 8yr old to the park on Saturday and attempt to leave her there for an hour or so (as long as there are other kids around). She can walk home. Does it make me nervous? Heck yes, but I agree with the concept of letting our children have some independence and freedom.
I think you are being irresponsible. There are many ways to allow children to feel responsible, to learn age appropriate skills. Voluntarily putting them at risk is not one of them. Kids are not safe these days....not alone in a park and not walking home by herself...No........ Just what are you thinking?? Question....have you done the sex offender search for your town?? National Sex Offender Registry - Family Watchdog Welcome to Kids Live Safe
It very annoying when people don't read the thread.
I read the OP's post. I responded to the OP's post. Responding to everyone else's posts is not necessary.....
The points you raised were already raised by others and countered by yet others, discussed back and forth in great detail until the horse was dead, and the OP already checked in and reported that the child's trip to the park was uneventful. ETA: The upshot of the thread is that different families have different types of parks, different types of neighborhoods, different thresholds for allowing their children different types of independence, different kids mature at different ages, and different parents seem to have different ways of interpreting documented risk vs. perceived risk. It is really oversimplifying to say the OP's choice was "good" or "bad."
Last edited by eastwesteastagain; 05-21-2012 at 09:54 AM..
I think you are being irresponsible. There are many ways to allow children to feel responsible, to learn age appropriate skills. Voluntarily putting them at risk is not one of them. Kids are not safe these days....not alone in a park and not walking home by herself...No........ Just what are you thinking?? Question....have you done the sex offender search for your town??
I just checked my town and the surrounding area. There is one registered sex offender.
Hopefully, this helps parents understand that there is NOT a sex offender on every corner. I live in an area where some kids actually walk home from school. Others are bussed or picked up by parents. The walkers are probably more in danger from the masses of cars that gather in front of the school, speed through the school zone and pull into traffic without checking their blind spot.
We have a local park. Kids walk to it and play without parental supervision.( I'm very thankful to live in an area where that's possible and where parents feel OK to let them do that.)
I just checked my town and the surrounding area. There is one registered sex offender.
Hopefully, this helps parents understand that there is NOT a sex offender on every corner. I live in an area where some kids actually walk home from school. Others are bussed or picked up by parents. The walkers are probably more in danger from the masses of cars that gather in front of the school, speed through the school zone and pull into traffic without checking their blind spot.
We have a local park. Kids walk to it and play without parental supervision.( I'm very thankful to live in an area where that's possible and where parents feel OK to let them do that.)
Not to mention that you can pee in a bush when you think no one's looking and end up on the sex offender registry.
I stand by my comment, which was based on my own opinion, not my opinion of other folks opinions. Everyone has their own opinions....To attack my opinions or my right to state my opinions on an open forum is your problem. I question folks that make a hobby out of offering derogatroy commentary on other opinions. Looks to me like this subject has been covered.
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