Garrett Gee — who runs the model, The Bucket Record Household, alongside his spouse Jessica — shared a video on Instagram, wherein he threw his 7-year-old son Calihan, aka “Cali,” off a cliff in Lake Powell to show him tips on how to cliff soar.

Within the viral video, which has amassed 3.6 million views because it was posted on Sunday, Gee and his son might be seen speaking whereas on a small cliff, earlier than it cuts to Gee grabbing his son from beneath his arms and tossing him into the water beneath.

Cali screamed on the best way down, and landed with a splash. He gave the impression to be blissful whereas treading water, earlier than his dad joined him and swam over as others might be heard cheering for Cali close by.

The clip then confirmed Cali leaping off the cliff with out his father’s assist, with the 7-year-old leaping off the rock along with his sister.

“Most individuals will not love how we train our youngsters tips on how to cliff soar,” Gee wrote over the clip, earlier than opening up about why he did it within the first place within the caption.

“That is NOT parental recommendation. That is NOT one thing I counsel you strive,” he started. “Additionally, that is NOT one thing we have accomplished with all of our youngsters. Every child is sort of totally different so the best way we dad or mum, self-discipline, and train HOW TO CLIFF JUMP is sort of totally different :)”

“For positive 1st precedence is security. 2nd is studying that YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS. third is HAVE FUN :),” Gee mentioned, earlier than additional discussing the significance of security. “Nicely talking of the highest precedence, security..We took our youngest Cali to a cliff peak that we knew he can be secure. Actually the most important hazard can be if he hesitated, did not soar far out, and fell down the cliff facet.”

“So to be additional secure, as a result of he wished to leap however was not feeling assured.. I threw him,” he added. “Ultimately a child eagle wants to depart the nest..or be tossed out of the nest and study HE CAN FLY! However warning : instructing your youngsters to be courageous begins to backfire once they develop into older and start leaping from heights that you just don’t even dare!! /// BE SAFE OUT THERE! YOU CAN DO HARD THINGS! HAVE FUN! – @thebucketlistfamily.”

Followers and followers took to the feedback part to react to the video. Whereas some praised Gee for his methodology, others criticized him.

One commenter requested Gee for extra info. “Sincere query, no judgement. Did he know he was going to be thrown?” the consumer requested, to which Gee replied, “YES. He had the selection to climb down, soar himself, or have me throw him. He selected to be thrown.”

“However regardless it was nonetheless scary for him,” he added. “Scary for me too as a result of I want to verify he would not cling onto me and hit the cliffs and likewise be sure that he hits the water toes first. Kinda difficult however I really feel prefer it’s a part of the dad job description ;).”

In the meantime, one other commenter mentioned cliff leaping is “very very harmful! Ask an ER physician or nurse,” earlier than asking, “How do you reconcile that as a dad or mum?

“WTH is mistaken with you ,” one other mentioned. “He didn’t look blissful. He appeared traumatized.”

Nonetheless, there have been many individuals who applauded Gee.

“What I really like a lot about Cali is that he is the primary to wanna strive it! He may be scared however he is all the time first in line! Go buddy go!” an individual wrote.

“He selected to be thrown and so they have constructed that belief all his life ,” one other shared.

In the meantime, The Valley star Kristen Doute — who just lately welcomed a child woman — commented, writing, “ i need my daughter to strive every part and be braver, bolder than I’m. love this.”

Calihan is the youngest of Gee’s three youngsters he shares along with his spouse Jessica. In line with The Bucket Record Household’s web site, they describe themselves as “5 Household Journey Journalists.” The Gee household launched their Instagram and YouTube channel in 2015 after they offered their Utah house and commenced touring the world as a household.

Per their web site, the Gees lived “full-time on the street” for 3 years, visiting 65 international locations collectively, earlier than they moved right into a bungalow in Hawaii. Nonetheless, Garrett, Jessica, and their youngsters, Calihan, Dorothy, and Manilla, have continued to journey and go on household adventures collectively.