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?

Fair enough, Egg. That is your decision to make.

I do pity the 9 year olds lumbering around with their ill-fitting helmets and stabilisers whilst my dcs whizz past on their bikes as natural as seals in water. I don't even recall them falling.

a must for adult commuter/road cyclists on very busy roads

But what I am saying is that DS1 (age 4.5) has always worn a helmet. He has also never (touch wood) fallen off his bike (apart from maybe when he started out on his balance bike). He never had the wobbles we expected when he went onto a bike with pedals, and never had stabilisers. But he has always worn a helmet and it really doesn't seem to hinder him. He does have one of the skateboard type ones that Riven mentioned earlier, but hasn't always had that one.

And yes I also feel a bit sorry for the older children learning to ride with stabilisers and struggling, but really don't think it is because they wear a helmet.

Egg, I was not referring to your ds but your statement: "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)."

And why do helmets have to be ill-fitting?

Sorry yes x-posts with your last post, but really is riding a bike earlier than others more important than their safety?

I believe parents being too safety conscious can hinder a child's development. Some of those children looked trussed up and uncomfortable. If I had to have all that kit, I would not want to practice either.

No Egg, that the risk of serious injury through riding a bike in a park is negligible. I am so glad my children enjoy their bikes as an added dimension to their lives.

Egg, the helmets are ill-fitting because my dcs have small heads. And they learnt from a very young age.

I would naturally disagree with that, pixie. I am not saying no risk, just negligible. And not one I will change my behaviour for.

Don't worry I am a bit negligent . I have too many small children and when we are out with all of them on their bikes or scooters one is invariably too far ahead of me with another of them refusing to move way behind me. I then stand there hollering at them. Apart from helmets we have no safety equipment I don't think!

Blueshoes my DD is weeny. She is 2yrs 8 months and v small for her age. She wears an extra small adjustable helmet. They do make them small as children who sit in child seats on back of adult bikes (for example) usually wear them.

Egg, that does not sound negligent, just a normal day out.

Pixie, of course I am not saying I don't believe you broke your skull. Just that shit happens but the risk is too low to change behaviour.

I am religious about car seatbelts and safety when walking in carparks. That is where my priorities lie.

blueshoes It really doesn't matter how good your children are on their bikes. It matters how good everyone else is! If someone else knocks them, if a car hits them, if there is an unseen tree root in the way.....

I said my dcs ride in a park and on pavements. Of course you would say a car would mount a pavement ...

Shabba

I have wondered the same thing OP.
why is it the done thing nowadays. no one has yet listed a categorical why we have to list = pro's. have they ?

They could still be hit by another bike causing them to fly off. But anyway I assume you don't believe your children will always ride on the pavement? by the time they are 12-13 and on their own outside? They'll need to ride in the road and will likely find wearing a helmet a pain in the ass because they aren't used to it.

Cars and bikes are a risk, I agree. But not when bikes are being used in an environment without cars.