Letting Kids Be Kids

Letting Kids Be Kids

When did we forget how to let kids be kids? Take for instance the recent controversy in Canada over the removal of trees at a popular recreational park after a child fell from one and broke their arm. These trees have provided shade and enjoyment for numerous generations of park goers. And I’m sure that over the years many children and perhaps a few adults have fallen from these trees, receiving bumps and bruises or broken bones. But that was then and this is now. We no longer seem to want to allow children to experience any of life’s natural pitfalls. Heaven forbid there should be swings, teeter totters, or jungle gyms on playgrounds anymore. Now we’ve decided to label trees as natural predators of young children that need to be removed - as if they’re the “Whomping Willows” from the popular Harry Potter series. What are we really teaching children when we remove all obstacles or possible risk from their lives? We certainly aren’t teaching them how to survive by assessing challenges and meeting them head on. No one wants to see their child hurt, but we need to make sure our protecting them isn’t hurting them more in the long run.  
Previous ReportTerrorism Done in the Name of Animal Rights
Next ReportCOOL Rule Upheld