Kids risk taking can be a worry for every parent. We worry that they will put themselves in dangerous situations or get hurt physically or emotionally. We often want to step in too soon when our parent danger alert system goes into overdrive. But kids risk taking doesn’t always end badly. Here is our story…
You can read the first part of this story here…
How to Manage Kids Risk Taking Behaviour Successfully
Mummy (10 years parenting)
I thought a simple park trip would be an easy morning. It’s the end of the school holidays, they have lots of energy to burn. I have hardly any. Maybe a few hours on an uncomfortable bench to recharge, and perhaps catch up on some work stuff was not too much to ask.
Nope.
How about perching on the edge of the bench, senses on super high alert, ready to launch to the rescue as the eldest decides that today is the day to train to be a stunt man.
“Ready!” He calls to his brother and I see Luc do a big push on the swing.
I can’t watch. But I also can’t look away.
Where have the days gone that this kid was terrified of the swing? I remember the first time we put him in a baby swing and gave it the tiniest, teeniest little push and I’m not even joking – the kid cried his little heart out.
And all those years of telling him to hold on tight – it’s like swing safety rule number one.
“Look Mum, no hands!” Oh no, he’s doing it again.
“Try jumping!” Luc yells. Leave it to the youngest to come up with the craziest of ideas.
Doing a jump on a moving swing with no hands? Is this a good idea? I really want to step in and say no. Stop all this crazy, risk-taking, dare-devil behaviour. Behaviour that has a high chance of us spending the rest of our day in A&E. And that’s if we are lucky and he doesn’t do anything really serious like…
“Mum, are you watching?” They both call over again, full of excitement, adrenaline and laughter.
“Yes.” I say – I am so going to regret this.
The swing lurches. I see the full concentration on Tomos’ face as he hauls his feet off the base of the swing, against the motion and lets go with his hands for a fraction of a second before grabbing the ropes again and getting his balance back.
And I have to say I am a little surprised that he managed it. He is usually a clumsy giraffe at the best of times. If any of us will fall over, walk into walls, bang elbows or hands on door handles – it will definitely be him.
“Let’s do it again!” Luc cries.
“No.” Tomos jumps off the swing (while it is moving of course) and I breathe a massive sigh of relief.
“Let’s jump off the climbing frame instead!”
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