11 Harmful Things Parents Do to Their Kids Without Realizing It

In the United States alone, a child is injured from falling from a high chair every hour. Parents might be overprotective with their kids when it comes to playing outside the house, but hidden dangers can be also found in seemingly safe places for kids like playgrounds or even at home.

Bright Side gathered a list of all those things that might look safe, but in reality, can be potential dangers for your child. Keeping in mind that our treasured toddlers need our 24/7 supervision, this list will give you a heads up on what other things you need to beware of in order to protect your little ones.

1. Letting them play dangerous sports

There are numerous advantages for kids who are practicing sports, but there is also a specific list of high-impact sports that can be potentially dangerous for them. The “big 6” to avoid, as forensic pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu advises, are American football, ice hockey, mixed martial arts, boxing, wrestling, and rugby. During these sports, a child receives multiple blows to the head, which have the risk of exposure to brain damage, according to neuroscientists.

Also, high-impact activities can cause significant compression of the spine and hyperextension of the back that can lead to serious injuries. The repeated engagement in these sports can aggravate scoliosis over time. Squatting, lifting weight over the head, hard landings like in cheerleading, and long-distance running should be avoided.

2. Letting them sit in a W position

The W position is a really common way kids choose to sit when playing on the floor especially because it’s comfortable for them. However, it is probably the most dangerous position for children to adopt and doctors advise parents to discourage their kiddos from sitting like this.

Moreover, osteopath Avni Trivedi stated during an interview that this position has become “a new health epidemic” that can highly impact a child’s development in their leg joints and hip bones, weaken their trunk muscles, and place extra pressure on their back, neck, and shoulders.

3. Giving them tablets (especially toddlers)

Kiddos spend more and more time in front of screens, especially their favorite new toy, the tablet. Doctors warn parents to reduce “screen time” as much possible because of the blue light, a portion of harmful light that these screens emit.

Common symptoms of overexposure to blue light are headaches, neck and shoulder pain, dry or irritated eyes, but also psychological ones like reduced attention span, poor behavior, and irritability. It can also affect their sleep and wake cycle, making them feel tired and exhausted.

4. Letting them go down the slide on your lap

Most parents think that when they are on the playground with their kiddos, it’s safer to go down the slide with their child on their lap. Actually, this is an extremely hidden playground danger that can cause leg fractures in children.

As pediatrician Dr. Diane Arnaout explains, the parent’s weight pushes everything downward at a higher speed, so in the case that any part of the kid’s shoe or arm sticks out of the slide, the leg or arm could twist and break.

5. Playing the Chubby Bunny game with your kids

Chubby Bunny is a very popular challenge kids usually do with their parents, where they have to place an increasing number of marshmallows in their mouth while stating the phrase “chubby bunny” as clear as possible.

Even though kids might find it extra fun and tasty, since they get to consume their favorite dessert after the game is over, this is a dangerous challenge and several incidents of chocking have occurred.

6. Standing on chairs

This is one of the most common reasons for children’s injuries, especially among toddlers. Kids are unstoppable, and they usually want to climb everything, including chairs. Falling from high chairs, in particular, is the main cause of head trauma and concussions.

Specialists advise parents to strap their kids into meal chairs, not allowing them to stand up, and also to always supervise them because there is always a possibility for the child to kick off from the table and knock over their chair.

7. Playing in the dirt

Kids love to get all dirty playing outdoors. What needs to be considered carefully though is where they play, because digging and playing with dirt can be extremely harmful to children. The main cause is lead and it’s dangerous effects on our health.

Even though lead paint in houses has been banned, there are still places with peeling lead paint like barns, garages, and old housing. Children might be exposed to that from bare soil since lead has been found in yards that were near those places. Lead itself is a poisonous metal that can cause brain damage and life-long problems.

8. Jumping on trampolines

Many parents have installed trampolines, both big and small, in their yards and their kids adore them. This seemingly funny and innocent jumping apparatus can be seriously harmful to children.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ instructions, trampolines shouldn’t be in any home with kiddos. This is because injuries caused by jumping on them happen really often and include broken bones, head injuries, like concussions, and harsher trauma that can lead to permanent brain damage and even death.

9. Mowing the loan with them

Both pushing and riding lawnmowers are heavy and extremely dangerous machines and can easily harm a young child who will probably want to come closer and see how it works. From cases involving kids falling from dad’s lap and getting injured to kids getting trapped under the heavy machinery to having eye injuries from the cut grass, this is not something you want your kid around.

According to HealthyChildren.org, in the United States alone “more than 9,000 children go to the emergency room for lawn mower-related injuries every year.” Children should stay inside the house as a precaution and be sure that neighborhood children aren’t around either.

10. Climbing on outside equipment

Playgrounds are children’s and parents’ favorite destination, however, continuous supervision is needed in order for kids to return safely home.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 200,000 cases of children injured on the playground, some of which are fatal, end up in the ER every year in the USA alone. Most of them are caused by climbing. Even though it looks fun and athletic, climbing is one of the most common causes of falls and serious injuries.

11. Riding a bike without a helmet

It’s no surprise that cycling is one of the kids’ favorite activities since it gives them a sense of independence, freedom, and fun — exactly what they want. However, riding a bike can be dangerous when riding irresponsibly, especially for kiddos.

What applies to adults, of course, applies to children too. Wearing a helmet is the number one safety rule since it protects the head in case of a fall. Wearing one can prevent brain injuries and severe trauma. It is also important to never let your kid ride unsupervised. Cycling can be a great family activity, so be a good example and ride along with them with your helmet on.

We hope that this selection of potential dangers will help you and your kids enjoy a safer daily life. Are you an overprotective parent? What was the most dangerous adventure you got into as a kid? Tell us your stories in the comments.

Sissy Spacek at 74: Fans Can’t Stop Praising Her Incredible Looks

Sissy Spacek is best known for her role as the scary telekinetic teenager in Carrie (1976), where her big moment at prom has her covered in pig’s blood.

At that time, she was a beautiful 27-year-old off-screen, and she was so convincing in her scary role that fans still say, “she terrifies me to this day.”

While her character might bring up feelings of fear, fans are now praising the 74-year-old actress for aging naturally and not looking “weird from plastic surgery.”

keep reading to see what fans are saying about this talented Hollywood star!

Sissy Spacek was born Mary Elizabeth and grew up in a small town in Texas. She chased around her two older brothers, who called her “Sissy.”

Now, at 74, she is known all over the world and is likely best remembered for her Oscar-nominated role in Carrie, based on Stephen King’s story.

While filming Carrie, Spacek shared that she fully embraced her character by not brushing her teeth or her hair.

“I wanted to feel really bad about myself,” Spacek explained. “There’s nothing like not washing your face or brushing your teeth in the morning. I put Vaseline in my hair, and that made me feel really low. And that helped me get into character,” she told CBS.

In one of the scariest scenes ever, Carrie, who everyone thinks is dead, makes one last appearance at the end. Her bloody arm reaches out from her grave, grabbing the hand of a former classmate.

Speaking with NPR about her career, Spacek – whose cousin was the late Rip Torn – said she loved the fear factor of that scene: “I would go to theaters just to see the last five minutes of the film and watch everyone jump out of their seats.” She continued, “The film ends about eight times, as (director Brian De Palma) said. People get relaxed, the music is really nice and calming, and then suddenly that scene happens, and people just go wild.”

After several praised performances in other films, Spacek, who originally wanted to be a singer, was cast in her Oscar-winning role as Loretta Lynn in Coal Miner’s Daughter, where she sang songs made famous by the country star. Spacek also received a Grammy nomination for Best Country Vocal Performance.

Happy birthday, Sissy Spacek! The Oscar-winning actress turns 66 today. https://t.co/5T0dDF5jCK #Carrie #hbd pic.twitter.com/AdiKJo88ot

— IMDb (@IMDb) December 26, 2015

The star of The Help has played many roles, from a telekinetic teen to a killer’s love interest, a homewrecker, a single mom, and about 200 other characters, winning numerous awards, including three Golden Globes, over her more than 50 years of acting.

Throughout those 50 years, fans have watched her grow from a messy high schooler to a beautiful, mature woman.

In 2022, Schuyler was asked to take on her mother’s famous role in a new Carrie remake, but she said no, explaining that it “just didn’t feel like the right thing for so many reasons.”

“I feel like Carrie is such an epic film as it is. So, the idea of trying to do anything else to recreate it just didn’t feel necessary,” she said.

Beautiful mama Sissy’
In an Instagram post shared on March 12, 2024, Schuyler wrote, “It’s hard to sum up how special this was for me.” She talked about her excitement from “cheering on” her dad and being at the Academy Awards with her mom and sister.

Fans showed their joy at seeing the whole family together: “Wow. What a special moment in time. There’s nothing better than celebrating your people!”

One fan shared, “How extremely special!! You all look amazing! This is beautiful…all of you. Inside out.” Another fan wrote, “Absolutely stunning! The all-around best!”

Other fans praised Spacek and admired her beauty. One said, “And your beautiful mama Sissy, my favorite actress, iconic and legendary and one of the BEST ever.” Another added, “Sissy, you still look fabulous.”

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