If you’ve stumbled upon this article, you might be pondering one of two things. First, you might be questioning the sanity of an author advocating for a bit of risk in childhood. “Does she even have kids? Is she one of those extreme survivalists?” Alternatively, you could be nodding in agreement, thinking, “Absolutely! Kids are too sheltered these days!” Of course, there are also those rebels who resist being placed in any category. I respect that, and I hope you’ll take the time to read my perspective.
We are creating a protective bubble around our children, and it’s not necessarily beneficial for them.
I see a wave of parents striving to shield their kids from hardships, disappointments, and difficult experiences. This phenomenon is often labeled as “lawnmower parenting,” where adults attempt to eliminate obstacles before their children encounter them. As a mother of two, I admit I’ve fallen into this trap myself. After all, who wouldn’t want to lend a hand? What’s wrong with wanting to spare our children from pain, failure, or heartache?
This mindset frequently manifests in competitive sports and academics. Parents often voice their dissatisfaction with coaches, seek special privileges, and even assist with their children’s homework. However, one area that particularly concerns me is the great outdoors. Just step outside and witness for yourself: neighborhood streets are far quieter than they were in the past, with fewer children engaging in unsupervised play.
At parks, you’ll likely find parents overly immersed in their child’s activities, often intervening with phrases like, “Oh no, don’t do that! Let me help you. Don’t climb on that!” This behavior differs from parents who engage in play alongside their children, which is a positive interaction compared to those glued to their phones. This overly protective, lawnmower approach to parenting does not benefit our children’s connection with nature. Kids are growing up without experiencing joys like skipping stones (you might hit someone), climbing trees (hello, broken arms), or searching for bugs (some could be poisonous).
We’ve established a myriad of rules about what children should or shouldn’t do outdoors. This restriction on exploration fosters a disconnect from the natural world, and excessive screen time only exacerbates the problem.
Kids Must Be Allowed to Experiment, Fail, and Take Risks in Outdoor Settings
Experiencing the world around them is crucial for children to cultivate a love, appreciation, and respect for nature. You can describe the magnificence of the ocean, but nothing compares to standing on the beach, feeling the sand between your toes as the waves crash against your feet. The same principle applies to children. With all the wonders nature offers, our primary role as parents should be to encourage them to venture outside and explore. This means allowing them to encounter some risks along the way.
So, how can we facilitate this as parents? It starts with not constantly envisioning the worst-case scenario. It involves resisting the urge to swoop in every time they face a challenge. It’s about granting them a measure of freedom and, ideally, allowing them to have the same kind of childhood we experienced, where we roamed outside on our own. I recall my own upbringing in the countryside, where we were regularly told to “go outside” and “figure it out.”
Now Comes the Difficult Part: Letting Go
Acknowledging the need to change is one thing, but implementing that change is far more challenging. My children are adventurous, often picking up snakes and climbing trees, and it’s tough to resist the instinct to keep them safe while they’re outdoors. So how do we allow them to take risks without becoming too involved? We educate them.
Whenever you permit children to take risks, there’s an inherent increase in danger. However, you can significantly lessen this by ensuring they are informed and prepared. For instance, you wouldn’t let kids wander off to gather wood and build a campfire without teaching them about fire safety first. Eventually, you can empower them to take the lead when they reach an appropriate age and skill level.
The same logic applies to exploring wildlife and plants. Instruct your kids about hazardous animals and poisonous plants to alleviate their fears, then grant them some freedom to explore nature independently. It’s about providing age-appropriate guidance and equipping them with the necessary knowledge. Once they are prepared, it’s time to step back and give them a little space. Yes, it’s daunting. Yes, there’s more risk involved. But ultimately, I believe this approach will cultivate a childhood that prepares our kids for future success. They’ll develop better problem-solving skills, learn to cope more effectively, and connect positively with the natural world.
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In summary, it’s imperative to allow children to engage with the world around them, take risks, and learn from their experiences. By stepping back and giving them the freedom to explore, we can help foster a generation that is resilient, resourceful, and connected to nature.