As I talk to parents and children around Resilience, risk taking and confidence building inevitably the conversation comes to the balance between giving our children room to grow and keeping them safe… and I have no definitive answers or right or wrong that is for sure… but I do know I recognised this gift when Thomas got to discover something for himself when he had the space to do so…
Loving with Kids and Autism Update: Well here is one thought that has been rolling around in this little head of mine for a while now that I have managed to grab hold off long enough to write it…
Thomas was walking home from school since Grade 4. To be fair there was only one road to cross at traffic lights (supervised by teachers), and safe walk home through the estate. He came home recently very excited ..and went on to tell me about the 2 baby birds that he had seen… after he described the birds I told him they were Plovers (the fact that he was inspired to describe them because of his excitement ..all great for language development!), he went on to talk about them for the next weeks telling me how they were growing and then there was only one! 
etc.
etc.So, my refection is that if I had seen this and pointed it out it would never have been as exciting or as stimulating, the fact it was a discovery he made while being independent is what makes it such a rewarding and growing experience. While keeping our kids (all kids) safe they still need the time and space to experience life through their OWN eyes, their own discoveries and encounters…
As I look back I know for sure these moments for me, along the journey of Thomas growing up, were such BIG monumental growth moments.
