Steven......
>>>>Telling a child NOT to take risks because of something YOU or someone else judges is like telling a child not to live.>>>>
>>So if I tell my 4 year old daughter that she can't go swimming without a supervising adult, that is like telling her not to live?>>
Commonsense Steve. The essence is that you want your child to embrace mroe of their personal energy and power which includes their sense of intuition and a general awareness. If we as parents are too quick to take this away from them by declaring STOP, NO, BAD!!!! then they are either going to rebell or simply gradually shut down and tune out. Each individual needs to learn the value of taking responsibility for his/her actions in the present moment.
NO can unfortunately become a very controlling, nagging siren. Children see through NO and say either YES, BUT through cynical rebellion or YES I CAN through a personal sense of mission/vision or awareness.
GO doesn't mean reckless abandon. GO is actually a "letting go" in a way which unleashes more of our intuitive awareness and energy which is natually designed to protect and support us. GO can't be defined so it gets short shrift.
NO can be defined. And negatives are best sellers in this world of ours.
Just some thoughts.
>>Parenting is a blessing. It is also a responsibility, and sometimes a responsible parent has to say NO.>>
No problem, but I just think we need to be more sensitive to letting a child natural awareness and sense of wonder thrive.
>>>>The problem is that people misunderstand risk. They think it's all reckless.>>
>>Exactly what I said. Some risks are reckless and unacceptable. Some are not. Children are often not able to tell the difference. That is why parents take responsibility for them.>>
I wouldn't go to far with this. Yes, we are responsible, but with each passing day we are basically teaching - by example, responsibility. I just believe taking risks, failing and picking oneself up while getting used to owning outcomes is key to living a responsible life.
>>Even among adults, it is very common for one person to assess risk for others. I sometimes guide whitewater kayaking trips. If I think a person's skills are not up to the level that a particular piece of water requires, that person portages. Sometimes the whole group portages. I make the decision. There are two good reasons for this: first, I have the experience needed to assess the risk, and second, if somebody gets in trouble, I'm the one that has to go in there and get them out.
It has nothing to do with labeling, restricting, limiting. It's just common sense.>>
No problem here or there Steven.
We all have so much more in common than we give ourselves and others credit for.
I agree.
Peace.
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