Allowing Trampolines =Bad Parenting?
Well, I’m not so sure if I’d go that far but the American Academy of Pediatrics apparently thinks so. They don’t exactly say it but you kind of get that vibe from reading this on their website,
“Children and teenagers should never use trampolines at their home or another person's home, in routine gym classes or on the playground!”
We just gave our son a trampoline for his 6th birthday. There, just go ahead and bash me for using my own judgment and going against the AAP.
Maybe the above quote from the AAP should include these changes:
IF the child is unsupervised
IF the child does not like to follow rules or does not understand rules
IF two or more kids are on the trampoline and one child is significantly larger than the other child
We are smart parents and we have rules about the trampoline to make it the safest possible environment that we can for our son plus he will not be on It unsupervised, oh let’s say, for the next 8 years…if it even lasts that long.
So, how about you, trampolines or no trampolines?Labels: 6th birthday present, ad parenting, m, motherhood, trampolines
>Go to the Mom blog Homepage
Well, I’m not so sure if I’d go that far but the American Academy of Pediatrics apparently thinks so. They don’t exactly say it but you kind of get that vibe from reading this on their website,
“Children and teenagers should never use trampolines at their home or another person's home, in routine gym classes or on the playground!”
We just gave our son a trampoline for his 6th birthday. There, just go ahead and bash me for using my own judgment and going against the AAP.
Maybe the above quote from the AAP should include these changes:
IF the child is unsupervised
IF the child does not like to follow rules or does not understand rules
IF two or more kids are on the trampoline and one child is significantly larger than the other child
We are smart parents and we have rules about the trampoline to make it the safest possible environment that we can for our son plus he will not be on It unsupervised, oh let’s say, for the next 8 years…if it even lasts that long.
So, how about you, trampolines or no trampolines?
Labels: 6th birthday present, ad parenting, m, motherhood, trampolines
>Go to the Mom blog Homepage
9 Comments:
Hmmm...very interesting.
I wonder what their reasoning is behind saying that? Is it purely safety due to many accidents (because of supervision issues)? Or does it have to do with something developmentally?
I have been taking my 23 month old to gymnastics and we go on the trampoline. She just started getting air about 2 months ago, I figured it happens when they are ready.
I agree with you that it probably has to do with the rules set or lack of rules around tramps, but who knows!
Wow ... Out of all the things I wish they would take a firm stand on and they pick trampolines?!?!?!
Perhaps it comes down to statistics? Reported injuries and deaths associated with trampolines are higher than most toys, so the AAP and other groups are making statements about them. Still, there are even more bicycle related injuries and deaths each year, but I haven't come across a statement where an organization has suggested that children shouldn't use them. So, who knows why trampolines are such a big deal.
I don't see anything wrong with a responsible family having a trampoline - it looks like fun!
I'm a no trampoline person myself. I don't fault anyone for having them, but it's just not for our family. There is a family 2 doors down who have a tramp and everyone in the neighborhood uses it. The owners make every parent sign a release so they are not held liable for anyone getting hurt. When we first moved into this neighborhood, we signed the release and let the kids use it. About 6 months into the deal, my daughter was hit in the mouth (actually by my son - they were jumping together) and messed up her teeth - her ADULT teeth. We had to get work done and she will need to follow up on that her entire life. From that point on - we said no jumping for the kids.
Again, I don't fault anyone for purchasing them...it's just not for us.
Hi Tracy,
I totally respect and understand your decision. I would personally not allow our kids jumping on anyone else's trampoline without me present and they'd also have to go by my rules.
Our big rule here is that only one person is allowed to jump at a time and ALWAYS supervised.
They are a lot of fun but you are right I would have to be there all the time and only one person at a time could jump. I doubt very much that we would ever get a trampoline since they kill the grass. My inlaws have one so the kids can jump whenever they are at grandma and grandpa's house.
I think the 1 person jumping is a GREAT RULE!
The neighborhood tramp that my kids are banned from will frequently have 3,4,or 5 kids at a time (their rule is "on your knees kids")...DANGEROUS!
Anything can be dangerous if not used safely or unsupervised. Sounds like you have a good plan in place.
Too bad there aren't more parents with common sense.
Mike
I resisted getting a tramp for a long time. Finally, about 15 years ago, I gave in to my husband's pleading. I had two kids at the time. Now have six. We're on tramp three, soon to be tramp four. Best investment we ever made.
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