if your child falls while walking, would you let him get up himself or ??
By chiaeugene
@chiaeugene (2225)
China
October 29, 2008 10:12pm CST
yesterday, i was at the mall with my family. i have the habit of allowing my 15months son roam and walk by himself. as he is just learning how to run too, he began running around and soon he fell down. I was about 2-3 metres away from him. I did not go forward but instead i let him get up by himself as i was sure he did not hurt his critical part and it was just a normal fall. While he did let out some crying, i felt that he has to learn to get up by himself. While he was doing all this, a small crowd who was at the same time forming up around him and a woman made this comment that i am heartless and that i may not be my son's real father. I did not bother about her as she has no right to comment on my way of educating my child. While i agree some parents would immediately go up to their child, i chose not to as i want him to learn thru falling so that he will be more careful about his movement in future. Also i am very sure he did not hurt himself as he landed on his hands. What would you do and your opinions in my actions? would u do the same too?
1 person likes this
6 responses
@chiaeugene (2225)
• China
30 Oct 08
haha, he already has a lot of love from many pp...to the extent of overly pamper. he has a bad temper and needs to change. he cannot has it his way every time he cries.
@Tiffany14B (24)
• United States
30 Oct 08
Truthfully, I would not let my 15month old son walk alone by himself in the mall. My son would be in a stroller with my constant eye on him at all times.
Yes, your child will fall when just staring out walking, but I don't think that the mall is an appropriate time or place to let him learn by falling. Save that for when you are at home.
1 person likes this
@chiaeugene (2225)
• China
30 Oct 08
he is already walking well, way too well in fact and is now begining to learn to run. He would fall as he gets excited and rush around hastily. he refuses to sit down in a stroller at all and would yell his way out. he refuses to be carried and would prefer to walk by himself. also, i think it is appropriate for him to learn early sinc he has the ability. the mall was not exactly packed so it is ok for him to walk and roam by himself. also i am about 2-3m away from him.
1 person likes this
@sunshine4 (8703)
• United States
3 Nov 08
I can't believe a small crowd went around your son. If it were my child, I would help him up if he were crying. If not, then I would figure he is fine and can try to get up on his own. After trying to get up , if he didn't succeed, I would be there to help him up.
It really was none of these peoples business how you teach your son!
@chiaeugene (2225)
• China
3 Nov 08
my son did gave out a loud cry but nothing more than that and i am very sure he is not injured. u are right that i myself cannot believe that pp would crowd around him, theere are just so many busybodies around.
@ladybug565 (2216)
• United States
30 Oct 08
As long as he wasent hurt then I think it was good you let him get up by himself. I would have done the same thing. I wouldnt worry what other people think he is your son. good luck to you and your son.
1 person likes this
@chiaeugene (2225)
• China
30 Oct 08
yes. i think we share the same belief. i always admire those parents in europeans or US as i feel that their children are more independent than asian children. This is the cultural difference, i think. Over here, we would make a big hoo-ha over this matter while i think it would be difference in the west
1 person likes this
@lovemygirls2503 (431)
• United States
30 Oct 08
I agree that theres nothing wrong with letting your child get up by them self after falling. If there just learning how to walk and its best for them to learn how to get up also. How else will they know what to do. You can't always baby them. I know whats its like I have a 4 year old and a 17 month old. I'm sure if he would of hurt himself you would of been right there picking him up and making sure that he was alright. So don't worry about what that person said. Do what you think is right by your child. Thats why his your child and not theres. Happy Mylotting!!!!
@chiaeugene (2225)
• China
30 Oct 08
haha. i like your response and we think alike. we as parents want what is good for our child and want to raise him up in a proper manner so that he can turn into fine person. this is lacking in our society nowadays.
@Chyzv88 (41)
• Philippines
7 Nov 08
I admire how you handled the situation, as I admire the fact that as a father you were the one with your child. Not all fathers would have the patience to see a newly-able to walk child in the mall.
It was just funny how the woman reacted that way. Maybe she has no children yet, because the mother usually would know, that is if she was the one raising the child, that children would thrive better if they learn from their mistakes.
@chiaeugene (2225)
• China
7 Nov 08
yes. i try to teach my child to be independent and not cry when something does not goes his way. i noticed a lot of children behave in this manner and think that crying is a good weapon to use and most parents would give in at least in my country culture in the east. i find asian parents too nervy about this child than western parents. i always admire the way western parents raise their child and they would allow their child to explore while over here, we tend to restrict the child movement or activities. I am not saying that asian manner of bring up kids is no good but i am trying to learn the good of both cultures and do what i think is best for my kid.
