The cost of overprotective parenting: Breaking children's legs?

Trying to help your young child have a fun, injury-free playground experience is a natural instinct. But it can backfire

Toddler on slide
(Image credit: Courtesy Shutterstock)

Many worried parents go the extra mile to try and keep their young children safe, but sometimes overprotective moms and dads are more problem than solution. Case in point: Slides. "When your toddler is clamoring to ride down the big-kid slide at the playground, most parents assume that the safest thing to do is put her on your lap and ride down with her," says Lylah Alphonse at Yahoo Shine. In fact, that's a great way to break your child's leg. "It's so common, but parents say: 'How did I not know about this?'" says Dr. John Gaffney. Here, a look at the unintended dangers of parents at the playground:

How does sliding with kids break their legs?

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