Movin' on Up

BUDDY put his new climbing skills to use. Dad moved the step stool out of the way and without thought, placed it next to the couch. He then disappeared and returned shortly thereafter to find EJ sitting on the couch. So he put him on the floor and watched.

EJ moved quickly to regain his former situation.

Up he goes. Buggy watched, and learned. Remember Buddy, maintain three points of contact at all times (hand, hand, foot, or foot, foot, hand)!

Here he crosses a major hurdle, the gap between the stool and the couch. Later he will attempt a third try and get caught in between.

Made it to safety.

Unsatisfied to merely sit and enjoy his previous accomplishment, he moves even higher.

But finds the leather too slippery to go further.

Trying again, the wet wipe box captures his attention.

Having not retrieved it, he then moves laterally to explore the contents of the side table.

Everything must come off!

Don't lean backward Buddy.

He's going after the explorer's cap next.

Not every attempt to climb up was successful. Below, he got trapped in the gap.

Try again next time Buddy.

Buggy carefully watched her brother and attempted it herself. She lacks the coordination he has so her attempt was unsuccessful. But she'll get there.

As soon as the weather is warm enough, Dad'll have to get him out to the park to climb the playground equipment.

Update: Why Dad is comfortable with this, but Mom is not.

Life involves risk. Every risk has a potential benefit and cost. We work to maximize the benefits of a given decision while mitigating the risks. We also assess the risk/benefit ratio and select certain courses of action while foregoing others.

Staying in bed all day seems like a lesser risk than commuting to work. But most of us accept the risk of having an accident on the way to work in order to get the benefit of an income. Plus, staying in bed carriers its own risks, though not frequently recognized. While remote, a sink hole could open up beneath the house and swallow us whole. So we maximize the benefit (employment that suits our needs) while minimizing the risks (driving a vehicle with 100 airbags).

The factors Dad assessed before allowing this activity we're the potential for harm, a fall onto a hard surface resulting in a head injury or lesser bumps and bruises. Dad considered EJ's innate abilities for climbing, for example he clings very tightly when elevated, he has a rational fear of heights, he tends to tuck and roll when he falls, and he does not like falling down. These mitigate the risk sufficient for Dad's comfort.

The benefits are obvious. EJ learns to coordinate his movements to overcome physical obstacles. He fine tunes his sense of balance. He learns what objects are stable enough to climb and which to avoid.

Further, Dad believes the Twins are naturally going to try climbing so rather than try to stop it, Dad makes it as safe as possible without removing all possible danger. He stays close, but doesn't interfere if a non-injurious fall occurs.

Mom would prefer they not climb. The benefits do not exceed the risks in her mind. They are her little babies that she has invested so much time, energy and emotion into. She foresees them tumbling to their imminent doom. She prefers her investments be safe and secure.

Dad is okay with that.

Children benefit from having two parents with two different perspectives. They will learn different skills from both. Mom will teach them to always be safe and secure. Dad'll teach them to conquer the world. And, as a result, they'll turn out to be healthy, well adjusted human beings able to weigh the risks and benefits of a particular decision for themselves and pursue an informed course of action.