In the wake of Natasha Richardson’s tragic death, I am transported back 3 months to my own son’s head injury. Ben in true boy fashion, used an ottoman as a balance beam and conked his head on our hardwood floors. My first response was to fuss at him for doing something he knew he wasn’t supposed to do. I was not immediately concerned that something so common could turn to the traumatic quickly. It soon became clear that his injury was more than a bump. We are fortunate to have a doctor nearby who was able to come to the house and assess his injury; a mild concussion.
I’m grateful that his injury was minor. I think about what I should have done to prevent the injury in the first place. I don’t think I can be described as an overly cautious mother. In fact, some would say I take too many risks with my children. I pick my safety battles in strange ways. I allow my boys (ages 7 and 9) to fly off ramps on their skateboards and bikes but still make them hold my hand in the grocery store parking lot. I have little concern for germs but freak out if they taste a soda. I struggle between the deep rooted parent instinct to keep my children safe from all harm and the desire to allow them the freedom to learn from their mistakes and establish their independence.
Where do we find the right balance? In this age of safety and litigation, when we’re bombarded with news tales of tragic deaths, Ebola-like germs and child predators, how to we protect our children while still fostering their growth?
Last month we took our boys snowboarding for the first time. After debating the use of helmets, we went helmet free. I wonder now about that decision. What will we do the next time we go snowboarding?
I’m grateful that his injury was minor. I think about what I should have done to prevent the injury in the first place. I don’t think I can be described as an overly cautious mother. In fact, some would say I take too many risks with my children. I pick my safety battles in strange ways. I allow my boys (ages 7 and 9) to fly off ramps on their skateboards and bikes but still make them hold my hand in the grocery store parking lot. I have little concern for germs but freak out if they taste a soda. I struggle between the deep rooted parent instinct to keep my children safe from all harm and the desire to allow them the freedom to learn from their mistakes and establish their independence.
Where do we find the right balance? In this age of safety and litigation, when we’re bombarded with news tales of tragic deaths, Ebola-like germs and child predators, how to we protect our children while still fostering their growth?
Last month we took our boys snowboarding for the first time. After debating the use of helmets, we went helmet free. I wonder now about that decision. What will we do the next time we go snowboarding?
