As a teacher, when children climb and stand on things in the classroom you tell them to get down because it isn't safe. There is that fear of "Oh noooo he/she is going to fall, then I have to hear it from the parents etc., etc., etc...." You know a big part of your job is to keep the children safe and make sure they aren't hurt.
As a parent of a toddler, you see them climbing and the first thing you do is grab your camera and record this next step in the growing process. Ok, yes I don't want him to fall and get hurt, but at the same time I'm not really worried that he will. Now I do not encourage him climbing up on things that are not made for climbing, but know that it is all part of the learning process. I do find myself having to ask him to sit down a lot after he has climbed up, but the climbing doesn't bother me.
When Blake was learning to walk I took the position of... yep he's going to fall. Yes, he is going to be ok. Richard and I decided early on that the best way to deal with him falling was to tell him he was ok, give him a hug if needed and send him on his way. People are always in shock when he falls, gets up and goes on. If he does cry, all he needs is a little bit of comfort and he's on his way again.
I guess in some aspects it's the same for climbing. I would rather him try and get hurt than be afraid to try at all!
You definitely have a climber!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree! I know of too many moms that have made weenies of their children because they've babied them too much at the tiniest of bumps.
ReplyDeleteThat is the way I look at it. When I first became a mother, I was very protective. Over time, I realized that letting the kids explore their surroundings which sometimes ends in them getting hurt is much bettter for them developmentally instead of not letting them do anything. You are doing a terrifc job!
ReplyDeleteYes, my son has just started to climb as well! And I agree with your idea on if they fall when walking or something like that, tell them it's okay, give them a hug if they need and send them on their way...I have seen parents who overeact when their kids trip or something...and then the child makes a HUGE deal of it because they know it's a way to get attention.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cutie little climber! I say- good for you! Since starting to crawl, Riley has slipped, bumped, fallen, etc enough time to wonder if the boy needs a helmet. But...we know that it is best for him to learn and go on. As you said, hug, say you're okay and send them out to try again. Funny- being a good mom means you send them away a lot when all we often want to do is hold them close!
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on this! I watch little J reach for things. I hold myself back from helping him. I let him try. Let him fall. Let him "fail." Let him ultimately succeed! I don't want him to give up . . . I don't want him to be afraid to try or afraid to fail. If he was, he would never know what it was like to succeed . . . what kind of life would that be?!
ReplyDeleteBlake is so, so adorable. Loving the basket pic!