So the 4 wheeler thread got me to thinking...when my son was around 5 he would not stop and look both ways before going onto the road. Bike, running, walking, it was 1000 times of teaching and correcting that went in one and out the other. I had to do something before he got hurt so I figured the best way to get it through is head was to show him a video of a guy getting hit by a car. Guy does a flip, lands on the road and video ends. No blood, no visible broken bones, but it was pretty graphic. Did the trick. He started stopping and looking every single time and still does to this day. He's older now and I'm going to buy him a 4 wheeler shortly. Wondering if I should do the same thing this time around, but really the question is - How far do you go to really get it through to a child? Anyone have similar experiences?

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Posted by Bleeding purple

Athens, Texas

Member since Sep 2007

25315 posts

Posted on 10/5/15 at 9:34 am to DaTroof

I think reality is a great teacher. Nothing wrong with exposing your child to reality as long as you are there to guide him through the process.

I started at a young age discussing firearms and firearm safety with my boys. When I brought home game I had shot I made sure to show them the holes the bullet made, discuss the fact that it was the result of a single trigger pull, that the animal was not coming back to life, and that the firearm could do the same damage to them if not handled safely. I made sure to let them see a live animal just prior to, during and after the trigger pull for the full experience prior to ever letting them handle a firearm.

That being said I don't think young kids (under 12) need 4 wheelers.

This post was edited on 10/5/15 at 9:36 am

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Posted by DaTroof

Louisiana

Member since Jun 2015

976 posts

Posted on 10/5/15 at 9:37 am to Bleeding purple

Good example. Thanks for sharing. I feel the same way. Before he gets his drivers license we're going to sit through a couple difficult videos and have some serious conversation. This is based on my incredibly irresponsible behavior when I got my license!

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Posted by Bleeding purple

Athens, Texas

Member since Sep 2007

25315 posts

Posted on 10/5/15 at 9:43 am to DaTroof

on the ATV, I think an invaluable lesion is how much power they really have. I'm not sure watching a video can do that. Showing them how quickly the front end will climb a fence, truck bed, small sapling, etc. is a good lesson. As a doc I see lots of injuries because someone was in gear and gunned the throttle when and the bike went vertical and then rolled backwards.

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Posted by DaTroof

Louisiana

Member since Jun 2015

976 posts

Posted on 10/5/15 at 9:46 am to Bleeding purple

Thanks again doc. Great advice.

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Posted by yallallcrazy

Member since Oct 2007

761 posts

Posted on 10/5/15 at 11:02 am to DaTroof

Been exposed to lots of graphic stuff over the years. When my kids got to 4-wheeler riding age, I had significant restrictions on what they could or could not do. When they'd get a little pissy, as kids tend to do, I'd show them a couple of pictures I had saved. Seemed to get their attention. So, I'd say a little reality shown in an appropriate tone probably is beneficial.

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