The fearless child

Cameron is a fun-loving, boisterous 11-year-old who knows no fear. When he was little, he would ride his fire engine right off the porch. He was usually covered with Band-Aids and bruises, and he was a well known regular at the emergency room of the nearest hospital. He was also the child who scurried off into the crowd and got lost on any outing. His parents would be scared out of their wits, but that wouldn't faze him a bit.

Cameron is one of those fearless children who are born risk takers. Genetic research has shown that some children are born bold. They seek out novel stimuli from their earliest weeks. The fearless child lives in the fast lane. These boys and girls dive into new experiences, jumping first and looking later. The fearless child presents one of the greatest opportunities and challenges for parents.

Guide that bold spirit
The fearless child is assertive, aggressive, impulsive, and exhausting. Parents need lots of support to keep up with him. Don't hesitate to enlist the aid of aunts, uncles, siblings, friends, teachers, and coaches to play with him. Organized sports are natural outlets for the active, aggressive child to learn how to master his raw energy within the team setting and the rules of the game.

The fearless child is potentially the hero we would all like to be. But without proper guidance, direction, and discipline, he can also be reckless enough to endanger himself and others. The fearless person, who worries little about consequences, may become a great leader or a hero, but in some instances, he might become a sociopath.

The fearless child is willing to try different things and feels comfortable even when he heads into new and different situations. Don't stifle that spirit. Healthy risk taking and courage when handling new challenges promote a child's growth and development. Respect and encourage her bold spirit within certain parameters, and expect your child to push those limits. Be a mentor in guiding that risk-taking spirit into growth-enhancing areas.