This question pops into my head a lot now, especially when I’m with my kids. Is what I’m doing helping or hurting them?
If I catch my 18 month old when she is falling, I’ve saved her in that instance. But she hasn’t learned anything (like ice is slippery).
It’s a tough decision to make in the moment. Obviously we don’t want our kids to get critically hurt and should intervene. But if we really truly care about helping our kids (or anyone) in the long term maybe we should take down the bumper pads.
The best way to learn is by making mistakes.