Dad, Stop Worrying So Much about Keeping Your Kids Safe

(Continued)

Why? Same reason you can buy a blanket with a head board built into it, in case you want to hold your baby but are worried about breaking his neck. Forget the fact you have an arm built for that job.

Same reason you can buy a harness to hold up your kid while she learns to walk. Forget the fact you could hold up yourself, or even let her fall. She's got a bottom built for that job.

In fact, forget the fact that human children are pretty sturdy and parents are pretty competent. We have entered an era that says you cannot trust yourself. Trust a product instead.

TIPS FOR GOING FREE RANGE:

FREE RANGE BABYSTEP: Walk through the baby safety department of a store with your oldest living relative asking, "Which of these things did you need?"

FREE RANGE BRAVE STEP: Your choice: Try a day without baby videos, or a day without table bumpers. See if your child has learned something new (perhaps the hard way) by day's end.

If your children are older, try this trick from a Pakistani housepainter: Every week, run out of one thing. Orange juice, cereal - whatever. It's a way to get kids used to not always having exactly what they want exactly when they want it.

ONE GIANT LEAP FOR FREE RANGE KIND: If your children are age 10 or older, let them fend for themselves (or play!) one afternoon a week.

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