[Sweet_Sunflower29]

You can't learn to dodge a hurtling rock until you have a few "hurtled" at you.

When my son Joshua was 5, he ran in front of a swing; paying no attention to the fact that someone was using that swing; he then required a trip to the emergency room where it took 6 staples to close the gaping wound in his head.

He is now quite aware of the consequences, and thus pays careful attention when walking in front of moving objects.

[Prodigal Son]

He is now quite aware of the consequences, and thus pays careful attention when walking in front of moving objects.

I'm sorry your son had to get staples but what you say is true. There are many hazards in life that we live with nonchalantly. It's hard to learn without getting burned. Visual and/or physical object lessons may be harsh, but they are apt teachers.

[ladylib]

We used to take our sleds to the school next door and sleigh down the hill. One of my brothers had a sled go over his head and he required stitches. The next day he was back on the hill.

You see very few kids sleighing down the hill today.

[fnord]

When my son Joshua was 5, he ran in front of a swing; paying no attention to the fact that someone was using that swing; he then required a trip to the emergency room where it took 6 staples to close the gaping wound in his head.

Not to "swing" this thread in another direction, but when we were kids, a trip to the emergency room for stitches probably cost my parents $20 or so out of pocket. Nowadays it would be a couple of hundred (thanks to medical 'insurance').

[ArrogantBustard]

thus pays careful attention when walking in front of moving objects.

I have a very old scar under my eye, to remind me of the dangers of certain sharp objects, and the fragility of life. When Joshua is my age, he will be able to say the same. It's a valuable lesson in the facts of life.