David, I went every step of the way to be sure that the risks they took were of their own choice and I was there to make them as safe as possible. I kept them out of harms way when they couldn't make their own choices. I made choices for them when they did not understand the danger and consequences. I helped guide them and teach them how to limit their exposure to danger. Because of this, I've raised three responsible adults without any of them ever breaking a bone. Did they do things that were dangerous? Of course, but we were there as parents to see they did it correctly and safely. :thumbup:
I understand your point of view and respect that. My point is, I wouldn't put my child in that position. In my own opinion, it is senseless and dangerous. The child has no say and doesn't/couldn't understand the consequences should something go wrong. If something did go wrong, the child has no way to protect him/herself.
There are necessary risks such as putting your child in a car on the LA freeway because you live there and travel just as we do here. Then there are unnecessary risks where I, as a parent, feel I can minimize my child's exposure to risk. This is an example and in my opinion, makes them bad parents :spank: because they did this without the child's best interests and safety in mind.
I threw my kids in the air, but it was typically in the water where if I didn't properly catch them, no harm done. Minimized the risk.
I put my kids in car seats and entered freeways, highways, etc. I did this with the safest car and car seats possible (not that you or anyone else wouldn't

). Minimized the risk.
I taught them to ride bikes. I padded them up, did it on a lawn and not pavement, made them wear helmets and each parent covered both sides in case of a spill or possible collision. Minimized the risk.
I hope this helps you to see my point and why, based on this short video, my strong opinion is these parents are bad because they did not minimize the risk. I can't change that opinion even if I try hard to think of it in any other light. :don'tknow:
We're not perfect either. We had a few mishaps. We had all three at the playground and all at once, the three went in different directions. Only two of us to chase them so the one we didn't quite reach in time took a header off a platform at 3.5 yrs old. Thankfully, he was just scared, bruised and a small cut. When they were all teens, and I wasn't home from work yet, the oldest thought it would be cool to drive the neighbor's 4-wheeler.... right into a tree! Totalled the wheeler but he was smart enough to put on a full face helmet. He still put both front teeth clean through is lower lip and was quite bruised and battered. The owner of the 4-wheeler got into big trouble for letting his boys ride the thing unsupervised.
This point is, we cannot always be there to protect them, to minimize the risks. They will make their own choices without regards to the dangers. But, this example video is not one of those choices yet the parent did it regardless.
Kids that small are extremely unpredictable. The child could have simply decided to bail and start squirming to get off. Too many variables... too much risk.
Wow... I ramble on and on. Maybe I'm just too sensitive to things like this hence my strong opinion. :Flash:
And FWIW David, I believe you're a FINE parent, because I know you care too much about her to let harm come her way. :cheer: