I appreciate this story so much. Though I am not a parent, I am an educator, and what I have learned about children, people, in general, is that they do not always behave in the ways they wish they would. Control is never the answer, but critical thinking, as you said, and education, so they can fully form their own opinions and ideas. That is part of our job as parents and educators. To protect children while also helping them become their unique selves as they grow into adulthood.