Am I an OVER protective parent????

Question

I have taken care of many kids that are in state custody and am starting the process of adopting a son of my own. My question is. I don't think kids under 16 should be riding and playing with 4-wheelers and motor bikes. I also believe they should be riding in the back of a pick up truck. I've see MANY parents allow this type of behavior. Am I being anal and over protective. My gut feeling says no. I know how young p*****n and teenage boys behavior on motor vehicles. 99% of them are unsafe and act foolishly. What do you all think?

Answer 1

I completely agree with the not riding in the back of a pickup truck, but the riding motor vehicles is rather strict. There are alot of very capable youngsters that can ride those things better than most 30 year olds. Age should not be a determination on whether someone is capable, but rather their attitude. Don't put restrictions on children (with tasks that is) just because of age,... my FIL did that and he had two overdependent children,... my husband wasn't as bad, but my SIL is still like a child. Let them set their own boundaries and lightly encourage them to go further. That's the only way to raise confident kids.

Answer 2

I agree with everything you say but if the teenager is mature then riding in the back of a pick up should be no problem

good luck with the adoption.

Answer 3

probably not , you know statistically more male children are born but by age 20 the genders equal out?

draw form that what you will but i think its a nature telling us young males are so full of testosterone that there a danger to themselves and everyone around them.

Answer 4

Most states have laws regulating the use of ATV's by children. Some even have laws that state no one should ever ride in the back of a pick up truck.

That said, as a parent I think following those laws should be the minimum we can do; we should require our families to follow those laws.

Anything beyond that is a parental choice and should be based on the maturity level of the child and the comfort level of the parent.

Personally, I agree with you. I don't think you're being overprotective.

Answer 5

I agree. My older boys and oldest girl have 4-wheelers but they are the child sized 4 wheelers and my aunt's boyfriend use to race them professionally so he's teaching them how to handle it responsibly. I don't own a pick up so I've never had to deal with them riding in the back.  

Answer 6

I agree.  Most boys don't mature until they're 25 or more.

Answer 7

as for the bike or atv, it depends on the maturity of the child.

for back of a truck....in my state, that is ILLEGAL for anyone of any age.  I know ppl who have been arrested for it!  Yes, old redneck state of Kentucky banned riding in the back of your truck unless you are a dog.....we seriously have some of the strictest seat belt laws in america!  (which i think is good).

I don't think you are being overprotective at all.

Answer 8

That's your opinion.  My husband has a 4 wheeler that my two year old son likes to ride on with him (and yes he's wearing a helmet and they only ride on flat surfaces at slow paces).  I know a lot of teenagers that are more responsible on 4 wheelers and motor bikes than many adults.  I'm at just as much risk of getting hurt than they are and I'm 24.  As far as riding in the back of a pick up truck, I did that ALL the time with my grandfather's truck.  As long as they are seated on the floor, I really don't see an issues.  Of course it also varies greatly depending on the maturity of the children too.  I would say you are being slightly over protective.

Answer 9

yes you are right but yet can you really protect them from anything? how will they learn when you shelter them too much  

Answer 10

I think as long as you teach your children at a young age to be responsible then there shouldn't be a problem. My dad taught my brother how to ride a motorcycle when he was about 10 or 11. He was always supervised and never got onto it without a helmet. As long as you are teaching them good habits EARLY and continually enforcing them then your child should know what to do and want not to do in any given situation.

With that said it's completely up to you what you do with your own children. If you don't want them on these types of vehicles until they are over 16 then that is your decision to make. I wouldn't say you're being over-protective, you just have your own ideas on how things should be done.

Answer 11

Um I'd say slightly yes.  My 10 year old son rides my 4 wheeler with my supervision and a helmet.  He's plenty mature and responsible enough to ride it around on our property.  I think you should worry about your own kids and stop judging others for their decisions.

Answer 12

Here's what I think.

You're being a good parent.

But an unfair one at the same time.

A teenager does deserve to ride four wheelers and motor bikes as long as they behave well and are under supervision. I don't see a problem with letting them in the back of the truck as long as they don't do anything bad or obscene. If they just sit like a normal adult, then it should be allowed.

It all revolves around maturity. If they give you the maturity, you give them the privilages in return. Otherwise, what have they got to behave for?

Answer 13

First of all "anal retentive" doesn't apply here.

Second, it is NOT overprotective to not put young, decision-making impaired kids into situations that adults have a hard enough time with.

Why take the chance of severe injury or death for a moment's fun?

Some states have illegalized the things you are speaking of.

Answer 14

16 is plenty old enough to ride on four wheelers and motorbikes. I've seen kids way younger ride those things with no problems. Obviously, you have to teach your kids how to ride them safely. But it's better to teach them how to ride at 16 then to wait and then at 18 they can go out and ride them without even having to listen to all of your safety rules.

Answer 15

Well..it's not legal  to ride in the back of a pick up truck for a reason.  I don't know any parent that would allow that.  Common sense.