WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO GIVE YOUR KIDS FREEDOM
Children used to play happily outside unsupervised, but we started worrying and it fell out of fashion. Now it’s making a comeback, and Emma approves of the outdoor revolution!
I have encouraged I my kids to take risks since they could walk. It has led to the odd knock and bruise, but it has also resulted in two young lads who aren’t afraid of much. I too was given plenty of independence by my parents, spending lots of time outdoors – and not always watched like a hawk by my mum and dad.
KNOW THE REAL RISKS
After a few decades of overprotective parenting, the tide seems to be turning. In Scandinavia in particular, nurseries are encouraging kids to nap outdoors, and parents eat their lunch in cafés with their babies parked outside.
I understand that you may recoil in horror at the thought of leaving your little ones further than at arms length. After all, we have all been convinced that there is a child catcher on every street corner. Statistically, though, your child is less likely to be abducted now than they were 40 years ago.
We live in an unbelievably safe society, but we are too afraid to take advantage of it. Given that there is always a risk, why not explore the middle ground; if you have a secure back garden, rather than always joining the kids as they play, sit by the window with a cuppa and a book while they enjoy the great outdoors.
INCREASE YOUR CONFIDENCE
Once you start to feel confident they are OK, you can intermittently check on them. If you don’t have the luxury of a garden, get together with mummy mates and head to the park. Let your kids play while you catch up over sandwiches.
BUILD RESILIENT KIDS
All kids need independence and time outdoors. Even though my boys are now teenagers, I credit their confidence, resilience and independent spirit to the fact that they started going to the nearby park alone from the age of seven, where I’d let them climb even the tallest of trees.
While I gave them the impression that they were independent, I kept watch from a safe distance until I felt confident to let them explore on their own. Having a childhood full of normal healthy risks and adventures is what helps children to navigate the world.