So, my husband and I were chatting the other day after he came across this fascinating article from ABC Australia. The headline read, “It sounds deceptively simple — but ‘risky play’ could be one of the fixes to the teen mental health crisis.” This really got us thinking, especially since I had just watched a documentary about how some children parks in Germany are actually designed by insurance companies to promote risky play. Crazy, right? It made us reflect on our own childhoods and how different our upbringings were.

The Idea Behind Risky Play

Experts believe that part of the teen mental health crisis can be traced back to fewer opportunities for kids to engage in risky play. We’re talking about thrilling activities that might involve a bit of danger, like climbing trees or jumping off high places. It turns out these activities are great for kids’ physical, mental, and emotional development. They help kids learn to assess risks, build confidence, and become more resilient.

Germany’s Unique Approach

In Germany, they take this concept seriously. So much so that some local parks are designed by insurance companies to encourage risky play. These parks give kids a chance to take on challenges in a controlled environment. The idea is that managed risk is good for them, and being overprotective can actually hold them back from developing important life skills. According to Free Range Kids, “They found that kids growing up with little chance to learn how to assess risk (because, in part, the playgrounds are so safe and boring) end up accidentally hurting themselves more often as adults.” “Their solution — based on research — is to have playground designers make exciting, even daunting equipment that requires kids to pay more attention to what they’re doing.”

Our Different Upbringings

This made us think about how differently my husband and I were raised. He grew up in a pretty protective environment, almost like living in a bubble to avoid any potential harm. Meanwhile, I was out climbing trees and running barefoot around my family’s chalet in the countryside. It got me thinking if my childhood was influenced by our diverse cultural background – my father was from Uruguay with Spanish and Austrian roots, and my mom’s side had German and Hungarian heritage. Sundays at my grandparents’ house were filled with sausage, sauerkraut, and of course, rice and beans because, well, Brazil! And let’s not forget the endless freedom to explore.

But being overprotective isn’t unique to one family – many parents across the globe, specially in South America, have shared similar stories with me while researching for my book on parenting.

Risky Play: A New Perspective for Parents

If you come from a culture where kids grow up in a bubble, would you consider adapting to the local practice of risky play if you moved to a new country? This approach encourages kids to learn through experience, understand their limits, and develop problem-solving skills. It builds confidence and helps them cope with fear. Embracing this could offer our children a balanced way to grow, mixing safety with the freedom to explore.

Conclusion

As parents, it’s all about finding the right balance between keeping our kids safe and letting them learn through their own experiences. Risky play might be a cultural shift for some, but it could give our kids the tools they need to thrive.

Would you consider letting your kids engage in risky play? How has your cultural background influenced your parenting style? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

For more stories and insights on parenting in different cultures, keep an eye out for my upcoming book, “Parenting Abroad.” And if you’re curious about navigating pregnancy in foreign lands, don’t miss “Maternity Abroad,” coming soon! Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive updates and previews.