There are as many different parenting styles as there are parents. Moms and dads tend to be firm in their beliefs about their children and the rules they set to ensure they are healthy and safe. We often seek the medical community for their professional recommendations and advice to help us become the best parents we can be. And while we are sometimes distracted and follow our intuition, for the most part, we trust our pediatricians.
A TikTok mom and neurologist recently posted four things she would never let her kids do, and while we definitely trust her about the risks of these things, her stance has led to a lot of discussion.
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We must have heard some of these tips before.
Puja Aggarwal, also known as @zenfulbrain, is a neurologist and executive coach for professional women. She recently posted on TikTok explaining activities she would not allow her children to do. Much to the chagrin, Aggarwal said football is the no-brainer.
“You can have a lot of concussions, head injuries, and this can lead to chronic traumatic encephalopathy. It’s not necessary,” he said.
He also called riding an ATV “not difficult,” adding that owning a trampoline or playing on a trampoline can lead to falls and head injuries, and the risks do not outweigh the fun.
Aggarwal also doesn’t think children should be around guns.
This probably won’t come as a surprise to many, but Aggarwal doesn’t want kids to be around guns. Time. Firearms pose a significant risk of injury and death, and children should not fire guns. “No need. Again, it can kill you,” he said.
He was quick and to the point, but found the need to add an explanation because people were arguing. Aggarwal said not to fully weaponize, even at firing or hunting ranges.
He supported his statement with research. Citing the American Academy of Pediatrics, it says that in 2020, the leading cause of death among children ages 0 to 24 was firearms. “This doesn’t have to happen,” he said.
I apologize to the parents, but football is really dangerous.
To the chagrin of many, Aggarwal did not want his children to play football. He explained that the risk of concussion is enormous, but so are the constant incidences of new injuries. Again, he cited the American Academy of Pediatrics and said football showed the highest rate of concussion among high school sports in America from 2013 to 2018.
“A concussion is defined as a minor traumatic brain injury or a minor head injury. It could be that you have contact with your head to the surface with sports equipment or with other people,” he explained. Concussions have short-term effects and potential long-term effects, he noted.
It’s not surprising that people have minds.
Aggarwal’s original video has gargarwal garrayed 1.7 million views, 171,000 likes, and 2,000 comments. TikTokers have mixed feelings about their messages. Some people think he became a “funny cop.”
“No. 5 is not alive. 😂 How can I get through the ’80s without a seatbelt, without a helmet, and jump off the roof onto my trampoline,” one person said with a smile.
“Okay, I hope you don’t drive a car because it may cause accidents for others that you can’t control,” another person commented.
“I’ve heard that bubble wrap works well. Jesus,” someone else wrote.
“There was all my childhood. IDO! However, I agree, except for the latter. Taught responsibly and at the right time there is no problem,” reads one of the comments.
However, others believe that he gives strong advice that parents should consider following.
“Having a son who survived gun violence and was on the floor with a brain injury, almost every man there was injured by an ATV. If only people could see. 🥺 Someone commented.
“As someone who has had 7 concussions, yes!!! They caused long-term damage and I still feel the effects almost every day,” another person wrote.
“My mother works in the emergency room and ICU. Trampolines and motorcycles are the big nonos,” another person wrote.
However, your TikTok is not just about what to do. He also offered two.
TikTok Aggarwal has a lot of information for parents to help keep their kids healthy. It also offers tips for improving things like brain health and mood.
When it comes to our children, we want to be the best parents we can be. Seeking expert advice is a great way to reinforce our good habits or a reminder to reflect on things we may want or need to change. At the end of the day, parents should choose what is best for their family and always put the health and well-being of their children at the top of the list.