Comments on: Lots of Rain

By: MoonChild

MoonChild — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 06:17:19 +0000

I was allowed to climb and explore myself, I think it’s part of being a healthy kid and it is definitely important for teh future. I don’t think it’s being irresponsible some adults think that kids are REAALY stupid and completely under estimate whatthey are capable of. Liek it1s really so much better to play video game all day instead. I actually like teh way you are raising her and I was even thinking that I wish my parents had a little more fun with me when I was little. A creative free environment combined with great communication is very important to me.

By: matt

matt — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:34:43 +0000

My parents encouraged me to explore and do stuff like this when I was a kid.. Some of my friend’s parents did the opposite.. those kids are no longer my friends, they grew up to be assholes.

By: Chanel

Chanel — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:39:06 +0000

You are a great parent. I remember doing the same as a child and more. I didn’t get my first stitches until I was 26…well after my tree climbing, roof jumping days. I think because my mother grew up in the country, she wasn’t too concern about me being a “free range” kid like she was. If you want to hear some good childhood stories, my mother has them.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 17:06:45 +0000

Huh?

There was a post made implying you a bad parent for allowing your daughter to partake in child activity, while the other is leaving her in the care of a stranger for extended periods of time?

Amazing.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:43:12 +0000

Regarding jason’s comment on bone density. The more a bone is broken the thicker it will grow back, but i dont know about bone density increasing with use. :P

HOWEVER, i definitely know that sheltered children (those who do not play outside at all) have an increased chance of developing respiratory problems such as asthma. And those who roll in the mud and eat dirt tend to have stronger immune systems in the long run :P

By: Jillamus

Jillamus — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 04:34:13 +0000

My sister and I discussed this a few years ago. Apparently “researchers” believe this is part of the reason kids need a mother and a father. Fathers encourage risk taking, while mothers encourage ‘thinking before acting’. Both are important, because sometimes you just need to dive in, and other times you need to think before you jump. Both are equally important lessons.

By: BIOHAZARD

BIOHAZARD — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 03:33:06 +0000

WOW, this video is amazing. really shows what someone can do if they put their mind to it. Im tottally jealous of these kids insane acrobatics skillz

By: daniel jacques

daniel jacques — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 15:37:34 +0000

anyone got any decent leads on the injury rate for theses parkour cats? haha, for me its probably the funnest and riskiest sport ive seen..at the top level anyways, and ..shit..its accessory FREE. in regard to your positive comment, hope all is good in your legal hood shannon.

By: Anna

Anna — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:14:09 +0000

I red this last night and have to say that i agree completly. My parents never let me “go wild” and i think that this one of the reasons why i am a very carefull sometimes even frightened (semi-)adult. So this morning when i took my dogs for a walk i climbed on big piles of sand, ran around jumped of things and loved it.

By: Gillian

Gillian — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 10:27:44 +0000

I totally agree. I was brought up on a farm, 30 acres of fields and forrest, and I can’t actually remember a time of supervised play (outside of swimming). A few of our favorite games growing up were: Sliding down our playhouse roof (probably at least 20 feet tall), jumping off our woodshed roof, and doing this complicated move with our swings that caused us to swing sideways, nearly crashing into each other. We’d also hang upside down on the swings after wrapping the ropes around our legs. Sometimes we’d even get the other person to push us on the swing while we were hanging on upside down with no hands.

My brother, sister and I have never broken a bone or otherwise been seriously injured. (Knock on wood.)

I loved my upbringing in that way. I had SO MUCH FUN.

I’m also glad that you addressed that post. It’s never pleasant being painted in a different light than what’s the truth- it’s not like you’re trying to get Ari hurt to teach her a lesson- you’re just allowing her to learn what life is about at that age. Having fun!

Good on ya.

By: dreya

dreya — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 06:37:52 +0000

I agree that kids don’t need to be protected from every moderately dangerous activity out there. I don’t know Shannon if you are saying that kids should get hurt? Or are you saying that they shouldn’t be protected from every possible scenario that may occur because that hinders their life learning?
Either way the human body is much, much more resilient than many of us in the western world would care to believe. Moreover, the idea that our children acting on their own are just accidents waiting to happen is exemplified by the fact that many children don’t even play outside any more.

By: Shannon

Shannon — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 23:38:21 +0000

Jason – So you can essentially “exercise” bones…! I didn’t know that, although I suppose it’s not surprising.

By: jason

jason — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 23:03:31 +0000

they say that bone density increases with bone use. for example gymnasts have much higher than normal bone density (10-20% in certain commonly used bones) making their bones much healthier simply through use and training. so basically you are making her less likely to break her bones not more.

By: Ken Barlow

Ken Barlow — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 22:24:45 +0000

Hey Shannon, peanutlikeaduck was featured in the Guardian newspaper guide supplement in the UK (https://www.guardian.co.uk/theguide/internet/0,,1240822,00.html)

By: Scienkoptic

Scienkoptic — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:51:50 +0000

that should say: who could otherwise be palming off your child on someone else.

By: Scienkoptic

Scienkoptic — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:49:51 +0000

Try to take the high road & not bring up the animosity.

So far, your actions have indicated you seem to be a well meaning parent who could be palming off your child on someone else.

The Comments are usually constructive when you don’t personally adress what so&so says.

By: Rachael

Rachael — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:58:56 +0000

that is a great parenting philosophy Shannon. I have three ‘free range’ kids and they have many bangs and bumps and bloodied knees and elbows. Apart from a few broken arms and two trips to hospital for minor head injuries (very minor) they have had surprisingly few big hurts. I think their biggest hurts come from external influences that attempt to mould them and shape them a particular way. Childhood is an amazingly learned and reflective time – kids learn from their own mistakes and I for one respect that absolutely.

I do so enjoy reading about your adventures with Ari – she’s lucky to have a hands on Dad who provides so many wonderful opportunities for exploration.

By: Nick

Nick — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 20:31:34 +0000

Every since you mentioned “free range” parenting in an earlier post it caused to me to take stock of how I am raising my own three kids (5, 3, 1). Although not on an extreme – there is /was certainly room for improvement and giving them more of the childhood freedom I had.

I guess I am just saying thanks from one father to another (and I think my kids would want to say thanks as well)

By: House Frau

House Frau — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 19:05:52 +0000

I didn’t see the comment you are referring to, but as a fellow parent of a 5 year old girl, I think you are doing a fine job. It is better for a child to be active than sit around all day and end up obese or with diabetes, which is a huge problem with kids today.

By: Mike Weaver

Mike Weaver — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:30:14 +0000

On a side note for the game players: Concerning Mirror’s Edge, are you happy with the first person view? At this stage, I think I’d rather it have been third person like Assassin’s Creed. Something about seeing your character performing the movies draws me in more.