To ask my DDs to wear helmets when they go out on their bikes?

[LackingInspiration]

Because I'm starting to feel like an overprotective mother (and I so am not one of those!). All the other children in the street don't wear helmets, and my DDs are so good at keeping theirs on, but I know it annoys them.

The thing is that, unlike most of the decisions DH and I have made about parenting, we've just swallowed the standard advice about helments, without researching the ins and outs of them. So what's the deal?

Am I being overprotective? Or haven't I read enough research and arguments to make an informed decision?

YANBU - my FIL is a neurologist and normally the most laid back of people when it comes to medically matters ie: "It's good it hurts, it means you are still alive!". However he is ADAMANT that bike helmets are a must as even the slightest knock can do serious damage. He thinks not wearing them is foolish in the extreme and he does not take strong stances about anything.

Riven - I can't believe your husband is taking such an unnecessary risk by cycling while listening to an ipod. I have heard of at least 2 people who have died because they didn't hear the traffic.

I think you have to weigh up the risks of not wearing helmets against the risks and inconvenience of wearing them.

I'd be interested to read a study that compared the rate of serious head injury sustained from a fall while walking to the rate of head injury sustained from a fall from a bike, where the figures were not skewed by geriatrics falling.

I am glad you took my post in the spirit it was meant, Riven as I wasn't trying to upset you. Yes to losing his ipod.

I dont care what studies have been done - my son had to be 'made' ok for us to see him in the mortuary....that was caused by a flat back lorry reversing very slowly and my son not being able to get out of the way in time. The words from the inquest still ring in my ears 18 years later - 'had this little boy been wearing a cycling helmet the injuries sustained would not have been fatal.' I cannot describe the guilt I still feel to this day. In our house now the rule is - No helmet, no cycling.' End of!

DD2 has a Bern Watts helmet. It can be used for her bike, snowboarding (with knit liner) or wakeboarding (with waterproof liner).

She wears it most of the time on the bike unless she's just cycling on the canal with us - mainly because DH and I set a bad example by not wearing our helmets . I think we're on the third one now after big falls with the others. The first one split most of the way through after DD fell when snowboarding in France (long story behind it, but she was going vv fast, fell about 20ft and hit the helmet on a rock) and the second met a tree at speed.

As a parent, the choice is yours but I'll always advocate helmets after some of the crashes DD has been involved in!

That is so interesting. I would generally take most advertising with a handful pinch of salt but am obviously totally susceptible to safety gear ads.

However, illogical as it may seem, I will still make the DCs wear helmets, as DSis will nag me if I don't.

I vote you fill up your DH's iPod with bad rap and tween pop songs. That'll stop any of that nonsense.

Thank you xxx

Riven - I totally agree with you. Before my Matt died I never gave cycling helmets much thought. I cant describe his head injuries because I will be physically sick. My DH and DS1 saw them and we dont talk about them.

I just have very, very strong views about the subject and feel the need to shout them from the rooftops.

I make my DCs (age 4, 2 and 2) wear their helmets whenever they are on their bikes. We decided it would be non-negotiable from the first time they used their bikes. DTs only have balance bikes and are v slow on them at the moment, but they know that no helmet means they can't ride them. They generally only ride on cycle paths and in the park etc, although DS1 does ride into town now as well.

Thankfully most of the other local children wear helmets too, which means mine don't complain (yet...). Plus there are a lot of teenage skateboarders around here, and they are all older and wear helmets, meaning my DC actually think helmets are "cool"!

Shabs, you have once again reduced me to tears. Have missed you since I now neglect the multiples threads.

I make DD1 wear a cycle helmet for riding her bike (has stabilisers and is only ridden in garden/park) and her scooter. I even took it to playschool for when they rode their trikes out in the garden. I wouldn't let her (or any of my DCs) ride or scoot with out one.

Riven, that correlation doesn't work, surely you can see that? I find it quite shocking that you've posted that to Shabba actually. And yes, I'm aware of your story.

Shabba I am so sorry for your terrible loss. If we all had the benefit of hindsight we would all parent differently. Your little boy wouldn't have wanted you to punish yourelf. You've made up my mind to always enforce cycle helmets, I hope that is some tiny comfort.

Riven, I read the article you posted.

We each evaluate risks and decide our tolerance level for safety precautions against the curtailment of the enjoyment of an activity.

I am happy to continue to let my confident cyclists dd 7 and ds 4 continue to ride their bikes without helmets in the park and on pavements. Both graduated seamlessly from balance bikes to pedal bikes at ridiculously young age. I doubt if they would have progressed as naturally had I forced them to wear their uncomfortable helmets.

Mine really dont find their helmets a hindrance. Also early cyclists (so I have been told) and many friends (also helmet wearers) cycling even earlier than mine.

Would prefer them to wear helmets all the time and not be able to ride a bike without stabilisers than ride well with no helmet though (if that makes sense).