Ask HN: What do regret not doing with your child before they grew up?

I'm not a parent but I would encourage parents to try and challenge their children to do things beyond their comfort zone, whether that's academically, socially, physically or otherwise. Some of the most valuable lessons a parent can impart on a child is confidence and resilience and challenging kids to do things they are scared of helps impart this wisdom.

I'm interested in this question too - I've gotten some excellent parenting advice from HN.

As a guy, getting into fights to defend myself instead of keeping it under the lid and festering in anger. This keeps up your self esteem and cuts back years of therapy.

Consequences are much lower - a few cuts and bruises here and there from a schoolyard scuffle. Kids don’t really know how to fight and aren’t super buff yet. You also quickly learn to avoid them and talk your way out of problems. Or at least develop some good smack talk.

If you actually had a father, that is what he would tell you after your mother scolds you and tell you to avoid conflict. This helps in developing your masculinity.

Getting into fights as an adult is worse. You might get knifed and the fighters are stronger. It’s also a dumb thing to do.