http://www.skepdad.ca/2009/bubble-babies/ on rational parenting and raising critical thinkers Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:50:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 http://www.skepdad.ca/2009/bubble-babies/comment-page-1/#comment-153 The Straight Dope Dad Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:48:00 +0000 http://www.skepdad.com/?p=801#comment-153 Yeah, I think about real and imaginary risks all the time. Does a 2 year old need a helmet to ride a tricycle. If they crash and have permanent brain damage as a result, then you'd say, yes. If an accident never happens or they just hurt another part of the body you may say no. Head injuries are about the worse injury you can get so I vote for the helmet even when it seems silly. The chances are slim that my daughter will be permanently damaged from not wearing a helmet, but if she were, I would feel negligent as a parent. It's also not fair to put her at pointless risk when I know better. Wearing a helmet has no downside as you can fully enjoy the activity with one on. The downside however is huge. Brain damage. I use that to balance all the risks with my daughter. Is climbing rocks on the harbor jetty dangerous? A little bit. But the benefits are increased coordination and climbing skills, fun, excitement and great memories. The risks are minor to serious injury. I can mitigate the risks somewhat by guiding her climbing and stopping her from climbing the real risky rocks. So I vote to do the activity.The risk seems worth it. Riding without a helmet doesn't. There is simply nothing to gain. Yeah, I think about real and imaginary risks all the time. Does a 2 year old need a helmet to ride a tricycle. If they crash and have permanent brain damage as a result, then you’d say, yes. If an accident never happens or they just hurt another part of the body you may say no. Head injuries are about the worse injury you can get so I vote for the helmet even when it seems silly. The chances are slim that my daughter will be permanently damaged from not wearing a helmet, but if she were, I would feel negligent as a parent. It’s also not fair to put her at pointless risk when I know better. Wearing a helmet has no downside as you can fully enjoy the activity with one on. The downside however is huge. Brain damage. I use that to balance all the risks with my daughter. Is climbing rocks on the harbor jetty dangerous? A little bit. But the benefits are increased coordination and climbing skills, fun, excitement and great memories. The risks are minor to serious injury. I can mitigate the risks somewhat by guiding her climbing and stopping her from climbing the real risky rocks. So I vote to do the activity.The risk seems worth it. Riding without a helmet doesn’t. There is simply nothing to gain.

]]> http://www.skepdad.ca/2009/bubble-babies/comment-page-1/#comment-152 Back in the Saddle « SkepParent Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:47:14 +0000 http://www.skepdad.com/?p=801#comment-152 [...] over at SkepDad has a post about “Bubble Babies” – and the products that cater to them (ok, ok, their parents). I actually have some [...] [...] over at SkepDad has a post about “Bubble Babies” – and the products that cater to them (ok, ok, their parents). I actually have some [...]

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