To think it's ok for DS to cycle around park without helmet?

[zozzle]

What's the worst that can happen? He might fall off and bash his head on .... some soft grass! Still unlikely as he's confident on his bike and rarely falls off.

There are no cars in the park (strange that!) but still I get surprised/shocked comments from other mums.

Yes, when he's older cycling on roads, of course I shall insist he wears a helmet. But do we really need belt and braces in a grassy park?

He's 8 yrs old btw.

Is there just grass, no trees, paths, playground equipment or fences?

He could fall off on soft grass ..... agreed..

Or he could fall off hit his head funny and die...........

Seen it happen in the park 6 years ago..... boy was 14.

I don't think yabu but if he were to be on the roads he should wear a helmet

Its up to you. Personally I would.

If he's riding around the park like I used to I'd get him full armour. I think it makes sense to say if riding a bike you wear a helmet, no matter where.

your council must be great. do they check the grass for stones or debris of any kind?

make him wear a helmet ALL the time ... no helmet no bike. do you really want to take that risk?

Yanbu, hope he has fun.

"Seen it happen in the park 6 years ago..... boy was 14.", how many times have you seen it NOT happen in the last 6 years?

I am pro-choice on helmets, so really not bothered. BUT I would say I don't think grassy park is that much safer than roads are.

He could fall off on soft grass ..... agreed.. Or he could fall off hit his head funny and die...........

totally agree, don't make him wear one if you don't want to. BUT how would you feel if something happened. it's only a helmet ffs not a straightjacket, better to be safe than sorry.

a woman from my workplace died after falling off her bike in Morrisons carpark, if she had a helmet on ambulance crew said she would not be dead, freak accidents do happen.

Only had to see it once to make me think about every time ds goes out on his bike. Giving a 14 year old the kiss of life and failing kinda stays with you forever.

Is it really such a hardship to insist on a helmet.

So, it's lovely soft springy grass is it?
Or due to the recent heatwave it's as hard as concrete?

Would it really be a problem for him to wear a helmet?

ds wears a helment regarless where he is, and if he ever did fall i would replace the helment.

however DS does bike racing and it is drummed in he isn't allowed on the track with out a helment on

I am leaving this thread now....... but please make sure your kids wear helmets when they are on bikes, scooters and roller blades......

I insist DS wears a helmet all the time, it's not negotiable for me.

When he's on his bike or scooter, that is!

And also while ice-skating....

Hmm, some of the replies have made me rethink, perhaps yabu.

I fell off my bike dozens of times as a kid, if not hundreds... never wore a helmet and never landed on my head either as I knew to put my hands out when falling.. would you put a helmet on your child when they are walking near swings in the park, or on the slide, or at home before they run down the stairs.. of course you wouldnt.

The only head injury I had as a kid was playing tennis on the driveway when I did that running and not being able to stop as I fell and went head on into the wall, and knocked myself out for a few seconds... but apart from an egg sized bump on my head, I was fine, and you wouldnt expect to put a safety helmet on for that..

So no op, YANBU.

when i were a kid there were no such thing as health and safety and when we fell off we got up an back o the bike again een wit rusty nail in th'ead

Sorry but i am an ICU nurse, so see things, care for people who are going through the most catastrophic time of their lives.

Plus side, there is a shortage of organs for donations from children when a head injury causes brain stem death from a head injury when a child wasnt wearing a helmet.
It only takes one fall,
Are you confident that you know that there are no stones or other debris in the grass?

Totally your call, spend a day with me at my work....you Absolutely would be convinced.

BUT how would you feel if something happened. it's only a helmet ffs not a straightjacket, better to be safe than sorry.........
I am with iamme43 and yes when I was a kid I sat in the boot of the car with no seat belt, doesn't mean I would risk my kids now we know how risky it is.

Not worth the risk imo.

I would let mine. Yes there is the slight chance that he may fall and hit his head on a stone, but surely you also run that risk when running? I expect he can run faster on grass than he can cycle actually - grass slows you down a hell of a lot!
But I am a helmet sceptic anyway...

I fell off my horse onto grass in similar weather. Granted he was going rather fast (no faster than some kids on bikes though!) my British safety standard hat was cracked down the middle and i was concussed for 2 weeks!
Grass in this weather tends to have rock hard ground under it!

Protect your DC from potentially fatal head injuries and stop the comments from other mums. What's not to like?