I understand what you're saying, but I was speaking to the unsafe behaviors that would result in more than a "boo boo".
What you would call belittling (i.e. contemptibly small or unimportant), I would call explaining to the kid why he is not going to get what he wants. In other words, a reasonable "no".
And kids rebel normally-it's how they find boundaries. While I don't typically do the "because I'm the Mom, that's why" thing, sometimes it's instructive for them to learn that life does unreasonable, unfair things to you occasionally, and there's just no arguing with it. Suck it up, and move on, kid.
Look, there are times to be nice, soft, goofy, loving, sweet and permissive. Keeping your kid safe is not one of those times, in my opinion.
