I understand what you're saying, but I was speaking to the unsafe behaviors that would result in more than a "boo boo".
As am I. The point is that you establish your credentials with the small stuff, and then they'll listen to you when it really matters.
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".
We'll just have to agree to disagree on the definition of "reasonable," then.
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.
False dichotomy.
