Tuesday, October 9, 2007

The Dangerous Book for Parents

Have you seen this book? "The Dangerous Book For Boys" is the best-selling book created by two brothers who felt the over-protective "rules and safety" environment we were creating for our children (more specifically, our boys) was doing them no favors. Inspired by the idea that boys need to test their limits and occasionally fall off things, this book contains plenty of vital information all boys need to know.

There is a section on how to tie knots and what each knot is used for. There are directions for how to build a tree house and a go cart. The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World are described, with color pictures. The book even has poetry every boy should know, including "If" by Rudyard Kipling (my personal favorite.)

Ethan was immediately drawn, however, to the section describing the rules of poker. After reading through the material several times, Ethan announced he wanted to play poker. To be fair, the authors do a great job of helping the reader understand the risk of playing poker. I believe their suggestion had to do with finding a good charity to donate to if you felt you had a bunch of money you didn't need.

Ethan was insistent that we play poker, so Sunday after noon, we played poker. Ethan loved it. When Ethan suggested we play poker for Family Home Evening on Monday night, Robert and I felt Ethan needed a little more education on poker.

"Poker is a game of chance, like playing the lottery or gambling," I told Ethan. "You really shouldn't ever play for money."

"Isn't Bunco gambling?" Ethan quickly shot back.

I was a little flustered. "Well, uh, that's different, because, uh....tell him why it's different Robert."

I swear Robert had a smug little look on his face. He was no help.

"It's like I'm paying for dinner, kind of," I offered Ethan, "with gifts...that are sometimes great and sometimes less great."

Ethan lost interest in my Bunco rationalization and turned his attention to Robert. "What about mutual funds?" (Mutual Funds!!! Where in the world did he learn about mutual funds? He's only 9...I don't think I knew about mutual funds until I was in my 20's.)

Now it was Robert's turn to think quickly as he tried to justify, I mean explain, the difference between investing and gambling.

Anyway, "Dangerous Book for Boys," thanks a lot. It would have been slightly easier if Ethan ripped his pants learning how to climb a fence or skinned his knee jumping out of a tree.


6 comments:

Catherine said...

I've walked past this book several times at Target with curiosity. Now I'm even more interested. I stink at poker.

Is the Daring book for Girls version out yet?

Afton said...

There have been a few knock-offs that are based on stuff for girls.

My opinion about "Dangerous" is that if your kids get into boy scouts, it's pretty much the same thing. "Dangerous" has more things in there that aren't in a Scout manual, (like poker and poetry) but I think Scouts gives boys a good outlet to test their limits, so to speak.

However, if only for nostalgic reasons, this book is one I would like to own. It's really beatufully done. I think they had it at Costco too.

A. Hunter said...

i am totally getting this book for Andrew.

Catherine said...

Testing the limits is not something my kids need instructions in.

I saw this guy promoting his book on the Daily Show a while ago. He's cool

Anna said...

I'm too protecting a mother still to even think about Joshua jumping fences and doing "boy" things. I might just fail at this if I dont' loosen up, but luckily for me, I have a little while yet. I'd be interested to see the girl versions, just out of curiosity.

megan said...

A definite for Carson...not for a while though.