Of course I wouldn't want them to push their car to its limits, but reality says they probably will at some point - well maybe not the daughter but the son, hells yeah he will. I did it, most of us probably have at some point. Too think otherwise is foolish. Those who think that way probably don't believe its their kid who drinks or tries drugs at some point too, right? That's just being ignorant of reality. It may not be drugs or alcohol - maybe its going out to that quarry that's off limits and skinny dippin' with friends, maybe its bungee jumping behind the parents back, maybe its buying illegal fireworks to set off at a college party, maybe its jumping roofs in a city block. Kids are going to do stupid **** - think you or anyone else is going to stop this by stopping posts on an internet forum about speeding? If you do, wake up man. Since beginingless time kids have been kids. How many times do you hear, or say yourself, man I should be dead or in jail the things we did as kids? Every generation says the same thing, and every new generation does the same ****. The difference is your perspective - as a kid you don't see or care about the risks. As an adult, and espeacially as a parent, you think about nothing but the risks. We are biologically built this way, unfortunately society has taken it to an extreme level these days, and this thread is pointing that out.
Think about it: who the hell thought of wearing a seatbelt 30 years ago? A helmet when riding a big wheel - seriously? And speaking of Roundel, who else used to push their parents car down the block late at night so they could start it up and take it for a joy ride when they were a kid? Satch, the editor of Roundel, and a lot of readers who wrote in about that story sure did, and so did I. Talk about dangerous. Can you imagine a 15 year old kid trying to do that in todays world? They would be crucified. But you know what, I learned more about driving and living taking those risks and having fun with my buddies then I've learned since.
So yeah, my kid will probably push his car to its limits at some point and you know what, if that's what he decides to do after all I've tried to teach him and show him and guide him in the right directions, then so be it. I'm certain he will do it as safely as possible given the risks and I'm certain that he will be thinking about the possiblities of what can go wrong and taking the appropriate counter measures because, you know what, I actually TEACH them how to take them.
Risk is certain in everything. Learn how to mitigate it to your best ability and go forth and have FUN! And if you make your kid wear a helmet when they ride their three wheeler then you Sir, are the one who is out of their mind.
OK, I feel better. In some kind of mood today. Weird.