Bear Grylls on why he gave his son, 6, a knife: “If you teach kids to dodge risk, you disempower them”

Adventurer Bear Grylls has revealed he gave his 6-year-old son a knife - and let him cut himself - to teach him about risk

wenn20702006

by Kayleigh Dray |
Published on

Bear Grylls, who had his first penknife at six, said to the Radio Times: “My six-year-old cut himself on a knife and came in with blood pouring everywhere, but you know what?

“If you teach kids to dodge risk, you disempower them. You empower kids by teaching them how to do something dangerous, but how to do it safely"

"He’s not cut himself again.

“If you teach kids to dodge risk, you disempower them. You empower kids by teaching them how to do something dangerous, but how to do it safely.

The adventurer and doting father added that, while he does take his responsibilities as a father very seriously, he wants to make sure that 11-year-old Jesse, eight-year-old Marmaduke and five-year-old Huckleberry know how to look after themselves.

He explained: “Because you love and care for your kids, you don’t want pain or hurt to come to them.

"On the other hand, you’ve got to let kids have the odd scrape and adventure."

Bear Grylls and Kate Middleton
Bear Grylls and Kate Middleton

Bear also told Radio Times every child would benefit from survival lessons : “If I had to write the education curriculum it would be: how to light a fire, tie a knot, use a penknife, build a raft, get on with people, eat healthily, keep fit, be part of a team and learn effective leadership.

"And that’s it.”

Do you agree with Bear Grylls - do we wrap our children in cotton wool too often? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments Box below now.

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