Joanna Fortune: My risk-taking son is a constant worry 

Risk-taking starts early in life. Tentatively taking a first step when we might fall, climbing up the back of a kitchen chair for it to topple over, scaling a tree or a fence outdoors and getting stuck so that we must call for assistance, trying new foods when unsure of the taste, or starting school. These normal and healthy risk-taking behaviours help us master tension-rousing experiences and move forward with our development

My 12-year-old son loves to take risks, from cycling his bicycle at high speed, to jumping into the deep end of the pool, or climbing trees. I want to support his sense of adventure but worry about his safety. Any time I tell him to be careful, he tells me not to worry. But I worry all the time.

Risk-taking involves anything with an inherent chance of success or failure, which you decide to do anyway.