Playing with Fire and Power Tools

Playing with fire.

When Wilderness Dad is in charge, my kids get to do all kinds of amazing things. Things I don’t want them to do. I don’t want them to swing too high on the swings. I don’t want them to run down hills fast. I don’t want them to use power drills in the kitchen.

I’m crazy right?

We went camping this past August. The Princess and the Butterfly tended to the camp fire (throwing things into it compulsively, poking it with a stick, finding out what would burn) for 4 hours straight. For them, it was bliss.

I sat back at least 20 feet, setting a new personal record in containing my anxiety. On the inside I was screaming. “Get away from the fire! Your hair is going to catch! Do you kids have a death wish?” On the outside I appeared calm. I mapped the closest ER on my iPhone. I took pictures of them dancing around the fire. I smiled occasionally.

And then this fall, the Butterfly wanted to build a bat box, because she loves bats and having a few living on the side of our house would be awesome.

Yeah, that’s what I was thinking.

So out came the power tools. In my kitchen. And Wilderness Dad taught her how to use them.

Building a bat box.

I don’t have any pictures of her holding the drill or the saw because I had to leave the room. I couldn’t watch without freaking out.

Proud of her progress!

There is no doubt that kids dive into these opportunities. Wilderness Dad is not the only wacko who thinks that kids benefit from doing dangerous things. So does this guy in the TedTalks video below. He thinks it’s important to a child’s creativity and development. I continue to struggle with letting my kids take risks, but I’m pretty sure these guys are right.

Have a look at the 5 Dangerous Things You Should Let Your Child Do.

What are your thoughts? Do you let your child use power tools if they are well supervised? Cook on their own? Play with fire? Why or why not?

http://twitter.com/amotherlife amotherlife

I love this post, I let my kids do all that stuff. And I’ve seen that TED video before, just last summer when we went home to Australia my kids shot guns, drove cars, started fires, split wood with an axe all on my family farm… just as I had 35 years before at their age, it was scary for me but empowering for them…
http://www.facebook.com/kelly.umphenour Kelly Umphenour

I will just say that I gave away our trampoline because I couldn’t stand to see my oldest jumping on it. I felt no joy watching at all! I explained and promised her a new fab toy and the people that took it? A neighbor girl fell off and broke her arm the first week they had it!! Go ahead…call me crazy but I don’t like that junk either (dangerous stuff!) lol
http://janinehuldie.com/ Janine Huldie

I am with you on this and there are times Kevin has the girls do things that I need to walk out of the room and the drill would be one of them if he ever did try this with them int he future. Great post Amy and yes I can relate to how you feel on this.
Cyndi

Haha…it’s hard to let go and see them do dangerous things, but on the other hand it’s like, how will they learn to spread their wings. It’s the ol’ Catch 22. Loved reading today’s post.
http://twitter.com/IDaughterofMaat Daughter of Maat

OMG lol Hubby taught Sam how to shoot a bb gun! Although, I seem to be okay with it. You know its better to teach them the proper way to use or do something dangerous when they’re young. That way they don’t accidently pick up say… a drill… and use it the wrong way and get injured or worse. At least that’s how I see it, but I do still get a bit nervous lol.
http://twitter.com/OhBoy_Mom Emily Cappo

Yeah I’m a big nervous wreck about that stuff too…I know I’ve got to let them take risks and sometimes it does take the more courageous parent to let them take those risks. My youngest always asks to use the knife to slice his strawberries and likes to help make his mac and cheese and LOVES to light candles…I’m a nagging, nervous mom every single time but I supervise and hold my breath and hope no one catches fire, burns themselves or cuts a finger. Ugh!
http://jdeneen.com/ Julie DeNeen

This goes well with Jane’s post about un-helicopter parents. It’s hard, but it’s good for them..and us. I love wilderness dad!
Jane Marsh

I think it’s good when there’s one “Let ‘em do it” and one “Oh, God, no, never!” parent in a two-parent family (and an aunt/grandpa/uncle/friend filling the role of the opposite for single-parent families). That’s how you achieve that balance between freedom/exploration/learning and safety/keeping all limbs and digits intact.
Rachel Derosier

I am so with you on this one. Like you and am super anxious about my kids doing dangerous activities although I know I need to let them experience things but I just can’t wrap my head around “letting them grow up” The man is already talking about getting our boy (who is only 7 months old) on a dirt bike when he is older. I’m freaking out.
clarkfarley

gotta be tough (to watch) but the result is a wider world for the small humans… (apropos of nothing in this Comment or Post…maybe) on the rare occasions I have to be worked on by doctor, I have learned to be totally comfortable asking for a towel. After the puzzled look goes away and they see that I am quite serious they find a towel, usually something small like a hand towel. I take it and place it on my head, draped over my face… then they can do whatever they feel the need to do to me. lol
Melanie Chisnall

Growing up, you’re always taught to be careful, and not touch anything dangerous. This was a refreshing take on it, proving that when supervised and depending on what equipment you’re using – it can be done. Enjoyed reading, and looks like some great father daughter bonding too
Rachel Harper

When my brother and I get together we’re constantly reflect on the crazy things we did as kids and can’t wrap our minds around why we didn’t meet our maker. My dad is a farmer and we used to play hide and go seek in our warehouses, running full tilt up escalators, hiding between deadly machinery, and jumping from ridiculously high heights. We suffered a few scrapes and scratches, but are all the better for it.