Ya Just Wish the Kids Would Listen, But They Do! They Do!

[M.D. Holloway]

I have told our kiddos many times that "the advice Mommy and I give you will only help you. We only want you to be safe and succeed." Well kids being kids won't always listen.

I have told our Son to always wear your bike helmet. The crazy stunts he does will test his confidence, teach him limitations and possibly crack his skull. The other day he was riding his BMX bike and sure enough he wasn't wearing his helmet and he took a big digger; banging up his shoulder and knee. He got cleaned up and patched. He then went to a Church activity with a buddy and his buddys mom. When they dropped him off, the mom told me that he really cracked her up. She said she heard him doing multiplication tables in the back seat. When she asked him why he was doing his times tables he said "I wanna make sure my brain still works. I took a bad fall and I wasn't wearing my helmet. My Dad will be pissed at me if I can't think right cuz I didn't wear my helmet and got hurt."

Later that night as I was tucking him in he said he was sorry he didn't wear his helmet and then asked "Dad, is it possible that if you hit your head and fall asleep that you wouldn't wake up?"

"Ya, thats possible. Why do you ask? You didn't hit your head."

"Well I don't remember hitting it. I could have forgot cuz I hit it so hard and I got magnesia. I wanna woke up Dad!"

"I don't think you have 'magnesia', I didn't feel a bump on your head. Maybe you should wear your skull cap from now on? I think you will wake up tomorrow."

"Ya, maybe I should wear my football helmet when I do tricks?"

I couldn't help but smile. "Don't worry buddy, your bike helmet is just fine."

[bell]

Good story......he'll remember it through his lifetime......and it'll be fun when he brings his future girl home to meet the parents and you tell that story LOL

[Mark Henry]

My kids helmets are automatic, but the one neighbor has a total stunt puppy and he never wears a helmet. I mentioned it to the dad one time and in a STFU tone he told me he "taught his kid not to fall down".
Some peeps are whacked... or at least they should be.

[oldE]

One of the happiest moments in my life happened about 10 years ago when my son said something like, "Dad, you know there were times in my early teens when you tried to give me advice. Even though I didn't always follow it, I want to thank you for trying."

He lived through the teenage years and turned out pretty well.

My work here is done.
Les

[Groesbeck Hurricane]

I'm glad your son is doing good! Keep at it, good parenting lasts a lifetime and goes for generations!

[s_morrison57]

When i was about 16 or 17 my Dad came up to me outta the blue and said " when I was your age I thought my Dad was the stupidest man on earth too" then he was gone. When I hit 25 or so I went up to him and said " Dad I wished I would have listened closer cause everything you told me came true " The memery of his little smile and the nod of his head will stay with me forever.
Its easier to listen but sometimes we have to take the knocks life gives us to learn the lessons.
Glad your son is ok Lube, that magnesia part is too funny

[billybek]

When I was racing, I would only wear a helmet while racing.
While riding to work down a trail I had ridden a thousand times before, someone had moved a big rock into the middle of the trail.
Hit a glancing blow off the rock, into the trees, over the bars.
I was probably 30' off trail lying across an old railway tie with a basket ball size rock right next to my head. If I had hit my head I would have been lucky only to have magnesia.....
After I finished getting stitches I bought a better helmet and wore it for every ride.
Good to hear the young fella was OK.

[glewis80SC]

I have three kids 22,16 and 11 they don't always take my advice but those times they do are rewarding beyond belief. Glad your son is ok.

[Jess]

Kind of getting away from the topic, but...I was out doing a test and tune day last week with two close friends and good racers. I'm at best, the least responsible of any of my friends but I wore a suit, Hans, gloves, etc. all day. One of my friends drove in shorts and a tee shirt all day. He was surprised at my choice and I at his.

We talked about it at dinner following the day and I pointed out that we both have daughters whom depend on us and cars catch fire or go off course in practice just like in races.

He agreed to suit up next time.

I'm glad!

Jesse