I was around 5 years old and my friend’s mom was about to take us someplace fun, so we got into the car. This was back in the day when people didn’t think about car safety, so kids could sit anywhere. Even though we were only 5, he was in the front and I was in the back. His mom started driving out of the driveway, which sloped uphill. When she got out of the car to check the mailbox, my friend had the bright idea to move the gear stick from ‘P’ to ‘N’. The next thing I knew, we rolled backward with his mom running after us. Fortunately, his mom was able to jump in and hit the brake, which is the only reason we didn’t topple over into a small ravine.
Children, to put it mildly, can do the dumbest things. Even a 30-second lapse in judgment can haunt our children for a lifetime. Here are a 10 helpful ideas to keep your kids from doing dumb things and, hopefully, ease your pain.
1. Be vigilant about their online behavior.
By any means necessary, be aware of your child’s online activity. Some filters can be helpful, but they can’t block everything. There is no room for you to bury your head in the sand on this one. Talk to your kids openly about the dangers they could encounter. Then follow that up with eyes like a hawk at all times. Start with making them do their online surfing in the living room, not their bedroom.
2. Remember what you did.
We inherit much from our parents. This includes tendencies. Plenty of bad ideas you once came up with as a kid will be pop into your kids’ heads, too. The best way to catch a criminal is to think like one, right? Same thing applies here. Try to remember the world through the eyes of a 12-year-old. It will be very beneficial in preventing things before they ever occur.
3. Teach them about money management.
Children, especially teenagers, tend to treat money like it can never run out. Sadly, many adults do as well. Teach your children the importance of money management. Give them an allowance that is earned by designated chores. Money falling from trees is never going to happen.
4. Teach them to be careful with their words.
Everyone has said things they would like to take back. Mom was right: If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. Being honest and straight forward is great. However, tactfulness and politeness are equally important. Teach your children to control their tongues. This one trait can take a person far in life. It’s called not burning bridges.
5. Don’t give kids a smartphone without preparing them for it.
Smartphones are a great way to get children into a lot of trouble. “Sexting” and porn are major problems among teens. It is very important for you to discuss and monitor your kids’ smartphone phone use.
6. Teach them to think through consequences.
Teach your children how to think through the consequences of their actions. Walk them through progressions in their minds by asking questions such as, “What will happen if you do ‘X’? How will people react? What will you do then?” Play strategy games together that train their brains to think a couple moves ahead.
7. Teach them to choose their friends carefully.
The people your kids spend their time with have a great deal of influence on them. Have the discussion about friend selection with your children. It’s best to have that talk before you are rushing them to the hospital or receiving a call from the school.
8. Teach them manners.
“Don’t talk with your mouth full.” “Inside voices!” “The proper term is yes, sir!” Manners are somewhat of a lost art in our society. It seems there are so many battles to fight this one gets shoved aside. Then it rears its ugly head at a neighborhood dinner party. You are mortified at the behavior of your kids—a horrible feeling for a parent. Enforce the most basic of manners in your household at all times. Teach them the meaning of respect.
9. Safeguard your home.
We can’t shelter our kids from all dangers, but we can prevent a lot of unnecessary accidents. If you own guns, make sure they are locked up. Keep medicine, household cleaning products, and sharp, pointy objects out of their reach. They all have their place, and it’s never in the hands of an untrained child. Safeguard your home.
10. Let them experience natural consequences.
The best way to prevent your kids from doing dumb things is by allowing them to experience the consequences of their actions. When they learn that actions have consequences, they’ll be more likely to think ahead about what those consequences might be.
Sound off: How do you keep your kids from doing dumb things?
Huddle up with your kids and ask, “Why is it important to think through consequences before doing something?”