Cotton Wool Kids

[lindasones]

Do you think that kids today are over protected?

[mumsiejudy]

Yes, most certainly but I also think the way violence is all around us makes one want to protect the children as much as we can.

[Rainbowwitch]

Im trying to unwrap the cotton wool from my son - over the easter holidays he was out with his friends nearly every day (his nine) we have now bought him a watch so we tell him what time to be home - yesterday was the trial run and we said 7pm he came in at 7:03pm - which is excellent in my book.

[runragged]

My kids certainly are. I can't help it, I want to protect them from everything harmful in this world. Not practical, or helpful for them, I know, but it's how I feel.

[sparklekitty]

I cant help being very overprotective of connor, I used to be a lot worse than i am now. I'm cant bear the thought of letting him out to play!

[sanjan]

is anyone like the parents that where on the cutting edge program - cottonwool kids

[bikemad]

Depends who you ask in this house-dp says im way too protective but I dont think I am lol.

[Jacks Aunty]

I am protective of Jack too, I know one day I will have to let go but as he is only 5 im making the most of it.

[sanjan]

this is the link from the the channel 4 site

http://www.channel4.com/culture/microsites/C/cutting_edge/cotton_wool_kids/kids1.html

there is protective and going ott

[TinaRychlik]

I understand that parents want to follow their protective instincts, however, I try to let loose as much as possible. If my kids don't understand the world around us how are they ever going to manage...at uni or when they start their first job in a big city? I think it is important to give them as much contact to the outside and to people as possible: our relatives, friends, acquaintances, people from playgroups, the person at the check-out, neighbours,...The more people they get to know or see the more they will be able to judge those who may be dangerous and those who are simply friendly (yes, there are still friendly people out there). They will also learn to trust their own instincts (hopefully): when they become scared - even though the situation doesn't seem worrying at all - they should trust their feeling and run away and not stay because they have been taught to be friendly. It's very complex, I know, and as I said, I totally understand parents who want to protect their children.
But in my opinion, parents should protect as well as prepare the kids for their future in our society - it doesn't help to lock them away.
One last thing (sorry for going on about it), I think the media are also to blame for our anxieties as they tend to exaggerate the facts and make us feel scared.

[loub]

I had set sky + to record this put it failed and missed it.

[CarerQuie]

I fight the tendency to overprotect.xx