To let them or not to let them?

No, I will not let them try anything and everything, especially not drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes. We explain to them why it is bad. They can see first hand how bad cigarettes can be just by watching their grandfather deteriorate who is smoking like a chimney.

I will restrict them. It only takes once to get hooked so why put that temptation in front of them and allow it once but not twice.

I don't have any child till now, but when I have one, I wont allow them to use any drug or smoke or any such kind of things, just for the sake of try.
You can be sure that, even if you let them try right now and make them understand about its good and bad, they wont try it again in future and wont get addicted to it later.
If they get a taste of it right now, its is possible that they start liking its effect, and after that even if they don't try it again in front of you they may try in your absence.

I think that it is easy to say yes or no, but when faced with an actual situation, things just happen sometimes.

My personal experience - when I was a young teenager and kids didn't go to pubs, etc until they were legally able to, etc ... my parents allowed us to have the odd glass of wine/sherry with them (on special occasions). The result of that behavour was that when we were old enough to go out and legally drink, we didn't go mad. Yes, we did all the normal things, we did get drunk with out friends, etc... but not every day, not blind drunk, etc... just because we could - we drank in moderation - usually! lol

As far as cigarettes and drugs go - well, you can only do your best, educate your kids in the ways of the world, let them know that you don't necessarily approve or like certain behavours, and when you let them loose in the world - the ultimate decision is up to them. If you have brought them up with the right values in life, they SHOULD be OK (perhaps with a bit more guidance) long term.

When it comes to little kids exploring (rather than teenagers), well I firmly believe unless they are going to seriously injur themselves, you should let them explore and find out what happens when they push the line. For example, if my child runs away in a parking lot - they know they will be punished. On the other hand, playing in the garden, through exploring they have learn't not to touch certain plants - they sting! Not to climb on the climbing frame and then let go - they will fall! Not to lean over the side of the slide - they loose their balance! etc... I have been there to catch them, sooth the stings and pick them up when they fall - and yes, there are certain things that they know not to do - walk along the wall, ride their bikes down the stairs, etc..

You have to let your kids explore. All my kids have great independent personalities and I have fostered this by letting them develop without too much intervention.

As always - this is of course, just my opinion.

Violetdreamslingerie.co.uk

No I will not! I have a past with drugs and alcohol and I have been very open and honest about the damage I did to myself and my family and I will not enable my son to make the same stupid mistakes I made. I will be the worlds biggest hypocrite but I will NOT let my child go down dead end roads.