Like it or not, the time must come when we must let our children learn to take care of themselves.

Once children become somewhat independent at about age 5, their risk for injury rises sharply. Between the ages of 6 and 12, more than half on all deaths, are caused by unintentional injuries. Burns, car crashes, head injuries from falling from skateboards, the list goes on and on. Anyone who has children in this age bracket know that they are always great explorers. Whether it is flying down the street on a bicycle or flying down a ski slope, these children know no fear.It is very important that children are given safety guidelines and parents must make sure that these guidelines are being followed. As children continue to grow into teens, they should still have these safety rules reinforced, as parents are still not out of the woods. If parents make a good effort to instill good health and safety habits it can often offset peer pressure. As children start spending more and more time with friends nd undergo physiological changes that make them an adult, they tend to engage in risk taking behavior in spite of knowing better. Accidents are the highest risk for teens, mostly from motor vehicles.Teens often think they know more than their parents. But this does not absolve parents from their role to protect their children, even from themselves!! The same rules that we taught them as preteens continues to apply throughout the teen years. Do not assume that they do not longer need to be reminded. The constant encouragement and insistence of loving parents is extremely important.The teen years are also when habits are being formed that will either help or harm them in the long term. If you have not reinforced , through your own behaviors, those habits you want for your children to develop, it is difficult to expect them to do it. This takes time and commitment. This is a gift to your child and it does require a daily commitment. It requires parents to know what their child's risk factors are, what they are doing and who they are doing it with. Various concerns will change with the age of the child. Although the investment of time and emotion is significant, the rewards speak for themselves. Remember to Keep it up and Persevere! You can do it!!