How much should parents shield our kids?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7KihHM68L0&feature=player_embedded





August 30, 2010 - 12:30 am http://mynorthwest.com/?nid=76&sid=359685
A 13-year-old boy from Vancouver, WA - Peter Lenz - died Sunday racing his motorcycle at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The coroner says that Peter Lenz of Vancouver, Wash. sustained "traumatic injuries" and was pronounced dead several hours after he fell off his bike and was run over by another motorcycle.
The teen and 12-year-old Xavier Zayat both crashed on a warmup lap for the MD250H race, a precursor to the annual MotoGP race.
Medical workers placed Lenz in a neck brace, put him on a stretcher and started chest compressions before taking him to the hospital. Speedway officials said Zayat, from Flushing, N.Y., was not injured.
Lenz is survived by his parents and two sisters.
I got this e-mail tonight from listener Jacob:
Dori, I heard about the motorcycle crash that killed the 13 year old kid and am just heartsick. Our 12 year old son is an aggressive motocross rider and my wife and I have had conversations about whether we should let him do an activity that is so dangerous. But he loves riding. I thought it might make an interesting tpic for your show.
If your kid loves doing something that is obviously dangerous, should us parents try to keep him from thast activity to keep him safe? Or should we let him take his chances with that high risk sport?
Jacob
It's an interesting question that Jacob asks. We are supposed to everything we can to keep our kids safe. But we also want to instill an adventurous spirit. What's the right balance.
It is very sad to read this posting on Peter's website Sunday night:
Peter passed away early this morning when he was apparently struck by another rider. He passed doing what he loved and had his go fast face on as he pulled onto the track. The world lost one of its brightest lights today. God Bless Peter and the other rider involved. #45 is on another road we can only hope to reach. Miss you kiddo. - Dad
I can't even imagine the heartbreak Peter's parents are experiencing. Do any of you think we should steer our kids away from high-risk activities when they're that young?
Here's video of young Pter in action - doing what he loved.