Please reassure me I'm not the only DP in the UK that allows and actively encourages my dc to climb trees

[keepyourchinupdear]

As per the caption... Am I wrong in doing this? I never see dc climbing trees or playing outdoors - am I the only one?

[ICanSeeTheSun]

I don't allow DC to climb trees, I don't want them hurting themselves and I don't know if they could damage the branches by climbing trees.

They do play outside under supervision. Ages 5 and 8

[WorkingBling]

Ds is only 3 but he is already trying to climb the odd tree. We don't let him do it alone but as gets bigger, definitely. I am a huge believer that they should rather learn these things while I am around to help so that as they get older I don't need to watch him constantly and can trust him to know how to do things he will inevitably do.

[buffersandbumpers]

Hopefully not. All mine climb everything they can - trees, gates, fences, furniture . Eldest now goes to indoor climbing club and loves it. They're 5, 4 and 22mths. No accidents yet (touching wood).

[KoalaDownUnder]

Is this a serious question?!

I mean, I'm assuming it must be, but I find it bizarre. All children play outside (weather permitting) and climb trees, don't they?

I would have thought not allowing it was the exception rather than the rule, surely.

[OddFodd]

You don't allow an 8YO to climb a tree ICanSee? How sad

I do OP. DS is a bit crap at it because he has dyspraxia but I actively encourage it

[BeatriceBean]

I didn't realise anyone prevented their kids from climbing trees...

My first was put in trees by bigger kids before she could walk. 5 and 2 now and both will play. Older one obviously much better.

Why on earth wouldn't people do so... as long as it was in a park/not right in the middle of the street etc?

[5madthings]

The madthings climb trees, as do many of their friends.

I see plenty of kids climbing trees, so no you are not the only one.

[LauraChant]

Mine do, age 4 and 6. We have trees in the garden and the six year old goes right to the top of one of them, the four year old about a quarter of the way. They love it. I let them climb trees in woods, parks etc if the tree looks robust enough.

[BolshierAyraStark]

Mine aren't old enough yet though when they are, yes they will be allowed. I was a true tomboy & adored climbing trees-fell out of a few too, amazingly never had a broken bone

[FreudiansSlipper]

I encourage ds to climb trees I used to love climbing trees

he is not so keen

[keepyourchinupdear]

Ok... Each to themselves, I guess. I just think it's a fun thing to do & really spurred my imagination as a child. My dc love it & are very physically active, I see this as a positive thing.

Are you a vegetarian, ican?

[LoveSardines]

Mine do on the way home from school, although many of the trees around here have had the lower branches cut off, I assume to prevent climbing, which is very sad.

Many parents do not allow their children up the larger trees, no. Or stand at the bottom freaking out loudly which gets on my nerves. Having said that, DP freaks out more than me, I seem to be unusually cavalier about that sort of thing, if other parents are anything to go on.

[BlackeyedSusan]

mine are not allowed to climb trees in our garden as it is a shared garden and would not go down well. they are not alowed to climb the fruit trees at my mothers. they are allowed to climb anything suitable when out for the day.

[ICanSeeTheSun]

It's not sad, he climbs up climbing frames and other things in a park.

I don't want my DC going around damaging trees, flowers and plants.

[overthemill]

Now probably a bit old but all 3 dc climbed trees in the park in the woods at home. Natural part of childhood and good for their co ordination

[ChaosTrulyReigns]

Oh yus, climbing trees is a favourite past time Chez Chaos. It's part of growing up.

My 15yo DD is first up there. Though she's as clumsy as whatever, it appears it's obligatory.

[OddFodd]

Trees aren't really damaged by children climbing them are they? I used to spend half of every summer reading sitting up in an oak tree in our garden when I was about 10. It was bliss

[ChaosTrulyReigns]

Arf at are you vegetarian.

[TheBogQueen]

I have three little girls who are straight up trees whenever they get the opportunity. They are 9, 7, 4.

They have also been trained to keep an eye out fir the park keeper who routinely berates children in trees.

[changejustforyou]

no in summer I don't see children climbing trees. It's in the winter when there are no leaves when you see them

[ICanSeeTheSun]

No I am not a vegetarian, what has that got to do with it.

I believe trees, plants and flowers are for every ones enjoyment.

Trees have many wildlife that makes trees their home. Birds nest in trees.

[ChoudeBruxelles]

Ds loves climbing trees. He's 8. He also plays out without supervision

[OwlCapone]

I'm quietly chortling at not wanting your children to hurt themselves climbing trees. Mine have picked up a whole raft of injuries between them, from broken bones to gashed heads, none of which were incurred climbing trees. I sent my 15 yr old up one that required climbing gear the other week.

[keepyourchinupdear]

Phew, do glad there are others. I never see kids around here climbing trees. I'm from a country where trees grow their natural height. Maybe I'm not mixing with like-minded parents?