Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy more freedom for a ten yr old

Wow! what a hijacketed thread. I might as well chime in.

I keep my kids pretty close with a watchful eye. When my child started in 1st grade, the teacher gave him a big hug for a Apple. If she was actually aware of his expression/feeling, she would not have done this. She would of said, oh that ok how about a hand shake. While I watched this, which was not a big deal, I thought he should of said no to her. I later followed up with him, explaining it's ok to say no and your body belongs to you. The teacher is not incharge of that. It just makes me think how hard situations and judgement can be for kids.

I say each to their own, but I will keep my kids close.

Freedom, responsibility, and training take on a whole new meaning depending on where you live. I never in a million years would have guessed that I will plan on taking my children before they turn five to a shooting range for lessons on gun safety. (skerriffs office at least). Because we are in a small rural ranch town many of the other families hunt deer (with their young kids too) and I have to assume many of the kids he will want to go play with will have guns at their house. I know the neighbors have a rifle in their shed and another family has a pellet gun in their hallway. I'll feel safer if he knows how a gun is supposed to be used and why and to never play with one like a toy or let anyone else. I would never have planned for this when I used to imagine my future as a parent. Also his dad will have to show him at 5,6, or 7 how to drive a four wheeler or dirtbike because many kids have them and ride them unsupervised (not at a track). It's safer than him trying to show off at somebody's ranch when he's 11 or 12 with no experience or training and busting his head open. "Safe", like everything else, depends on the circumstances.