The human race has survived because we nurture our children for so many years. The danger lies in our becoming so over-protective that while stunting the natural curiosity of our youngsters, we stop their development on many different levels. There is no hard and fast rule as to what explorations we should allow or prohibit. Every parent struggles with this fine balance using his own set of criteria. Just look at how we treat our newborns.
When we receive the precious gift of a first child, we commit to doing our best to protect him The urge to prevent harm is normal and natural. We launch an extensive safety program at home. Suspicion surrounds common household objects if there is the slightest chance that our newborn will suffer because of them. Our focus on the presence of germs makes us determined to protect our baby from them. Hygiene becomes so important that it borders on obsession. Our babies are kept as clean as possible with the use of a baby bath and the soaps and linens used exclusively for Junior. The idea of using the general household washcloths and towels never enters our mind.
It is always fun to look at the sweet little baby oriented linens available. Who could resist all the pictures and colors designed for baby's enjoyment? But when the first set of linens is discarded, the infant will benefit from being allowed to use the regular household linens shared by the family. The germs he encounters will help to teach his system how to deal with germs. There is no need to use soaps designed to kill bacteria. If the child never encounters the mild, common pathogens, how can he adapt to them?
Lives are being saved by modern safety equipment for today's children. Most parents try to keep their children from dangers for as long as possible. The use of baby safety monitors keeps many a child from choking to death. Baby's early food supply is ideally breast milk. The development of the easy to use electric breast pump ensures baby's safe nutrition supply at all times. Transportation of children is now safer than ever because of the tough new regulations surrounding child car seats.
It is a difficult transition for parents when the time comes to loosen their total control of the child's environment. Many are afraid to let the child's natural curiosity carry them into new experiences. But children must be allowed to explore their environments if they are ever to learn which decisions are good for them. They will make errors in judgment.
It is always difficult to watch someone we love suffer a setback. But we must allow our children to tackle a few new things and discover the inherent problems. That is how they learn.
It is time to allow Junior to try climbing that back yard tree. Stick around and stay close. Encourage his efforts to conquer the climb. It will be worth patching up a skinned knee if he learns to test branch strength before going out on a limb.
