Yes, I Let My Kids Do That! (And Here’s Why)

I know, I know… I’m that mom. The one who lets my kids:

🚫 Go barefoot at the park (and pretty much everywhere)
🚫 Climb up the slide instead of just down
🚫 Jump off high surfaces (even when it makes other parents nervous)

But here’s the thing—I don’t break these “rules” just for the fun of it (though my kids would say it is fun). There’s real science behind why these activities build the brain, the body, and lifelong confidence:

✔️ Barefoot time strengthens foot muscles, improves balance, and helps the brain map out the body for better coordination. Shoes = sensory deprivation!
✔️ Climbing up slides isn’t just rebellion—it’s a full-body workout that builds strength, problem-solving, and risk assessment.
✔️ Jumping from high places gives kids proprioceptive input (deep pressure on joints that calms the nervous system) and teaches them how to land safely. Bonus: Most people have no idea this impact is also so good for the strength of their bones and ligaments!

We also love to:
🌱get dirty playing in the dirt
🤸walk on ledges
🚲Ride bikes in the house
⚠️take (mostly) calculated risks!

That said, I also teach my kids:
✨ To be respectful of others when climbing slides (wait their turn, move if others want to go down, etc.)
✨ That not every space is the right space—we respect rules when needed
✨ To assess risks, not avoid them

So yes, I let them break these “rules”… because I want them to build strong bodies, sharp minds, and the confidence to move in the world.

Do you let your kids do these things too? Or were you told not to as a kid?

What’s a “rule” you let your kids break for their development? ⬇️

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