bike helmets and teasing

[Timothew]

It's back to school time

The problem is that my son rides his bike to school, about 6 blocks. My wife and I insist that he wear his bike helmet. Travelling to school (7th grade) he has to pass a group of older kids and they tease him about the helmet, every day. I wish these delinquents could obtain some sort of life for themselves, but evidently, they can't.

What solution is there for this? He has to wear his helmet. Period. What should I tell him?

 

[b.hopeful]

We have a similar problem here. I keep telling my daughter that at least she knows she's well loved...if we didn't care we wouldn't make her wear a helmet. I've sent her links to articles on kids that died or were paralyzed/suffered brain injuries due to lack of helmet. I also remind her that going against the flock is a cross she will have to bear often in life...especially in the teen years. I tell her that wearing her helmet proves to us that she's willing to do what is right....and that will matter in a few years when there are teen parties. We need to trust that she won't get in a car with a drunk driver just because everyone else is doing it. This is one way she can practice and prove to us that she is responsible and trustworthy.

Your son needs a helmet sticker that says something like "if you think helmets are stupid you must've already suffered a brain injury".

 

[Timothew]

We have a similar problem here. I keep telling my daughter that at least she knows she's well loved...if we didn't care we wouldn't make her wear a helmet. I've sent her links to articles on kids that died or were paralyzed/suffered brain injuries due to lack of helmet. I also remind her that going against the flock is a cross she will have to bear often in life...especially in the teen years. I tell her that wearing her helmet proves to us that she's willing to do what is right....and that will matter in a few years when there are teen parties. We need to trust that she won't get in a car with a drunk driver just because everyone else is doing it. This is one way she can practice and prove to us that she is responsible and trustworthy.

Your son needs a helmet sticker that says something like "if you think helmets are stupid you must've already suffered a brain injury".

We're laughing about the helmet sticker

Good suggestions, thanks. Unfortunately he doesn't feel loved by us when we make him wear the helmet, he feels persecuted, by us and by the other kids. We'll try the discussion about signs of doing what's right and proving that he's trustworthy and responsible. After all, responsible people get more freedom than irresponsible ones. He is pretty responsible though, at least he wears his helmet. A lot (A LOT) of kids don't.

 

[Hadassah]

The only thing other than what has already been done/suggested, is that you show him what happens when you do not wear a helmet and are run into/run over... and the difference having a helmet makes in the same kind of accident.

It's not something to mess around with. I've seen the photos for police cases. It's definitely not pretty. I'd rather be made fun of by delinquents (who need a life anyway), than ruin my head

 

[tiffyof6ntwins]

my kids must wear their helmets no matter where or how far they go.. my daughter would tell her friends, when they told her to take it off after she left the yard, that if she got caught she wouldnt only be hurt physically but she would hurt us too by not following the rules.. there are definite consequences for not following the rules.. my advice would be to tell your son to ignore them and if they want to start problems use the old " its better safe then sorry" routine.. and that with him not wearing it and getting hurt it would also hurt your relation ship because you would lose trust in him riding his bike without the helmet.

 

[Macx]

As a motorcyclist, I always wear a helmet though there is no law in this state requiring me to. For these 18 years or so of riding I have been an avid helmet wearer and safety gear advocate. Dress for the crash, not for the ride is one of our matras. I have survived both high sides and lowsides largely due to wearing the right gear. My first high side, I was airborne for 25 yards or so and landed on my face and chest, skipped like a stone on water and flew another 5 yards before landing spread eagle in the middle of the road on my face. I wouldn't have a lower jaw and I'd most likely be dead had I not been wearing a helmet. I realize we are talking about a kid on a bicycle, but the concepts transfer. Squids. Stupidly Quick Underdressed and Imminently Dead was what we always called riders without helmets (and sometimes wearing flipflops). Don't let your son be a squid. Squids look funny, getting made fun of by squids probably isn't a bad thing. Looking like a squid . . . that'd be bad.

Alternatively, if that doesn't work, 6 blocks isn't to far to walk. No helmet, no wheels.

 

[GolfingMom]

IT's the law to wear helmets here so all the kiddos have them

I suggest you take him to the store and let him choose a helmet he's willing to wear or he can walk instead of ride. I did notice most kids in school have the skater helmets now

 

[myanchor]

golfingmom, not all states have the helmet law. Colorado is one that allows people over 18 to not wear a helmet on a motorcycle, but below 18 on a bike or on a motorcycle you will wear a helmet.

Timothew, maybe you can have your school do an assembly and have the kids shown what happens to people who don't wear their helmet. Even better, have someone who is paralyzed come and talk to them.

 

[Timothew]

I'm actually not sure if it's the law in Wisconsin, It's the law for my family, including me!

 

[GolfingMom]

I'm actually not sure if it's the law in Wisconsin, It's the law for my family, including me!

Bicycles aren't covered in Wisconsin I thought you could use the 'it's the law' argument

 

[Timothew]

My son always wears his helmet, I'm wondering how to get the other kids to stop teasing him for it.

 

[Everlasting33]

My son always wears his helmet, I'm wondering how to get the other kids to stop teasing him for it.

How bad is the teasing? Is it daily? Is it taking a toll on your son? What have you told him already and has it helped?