Help Getting Daughter to wear Helmet

[janeho]

Sorry it didn't go well for you yesterday - we had a similar situation with our son when he was in the trailer. The things that worked for us were - he picked his own helmet, we refused to move if he took it off and we kept the rides short and to child friendly destinations. Now he's 5 and his sister 7 they are the ones who are the "helmet police" checking everyone has one on before we set off.
We didn't really bother with helmets particularly on short quiet road rides until we had the kids when we felt that if we wanted them to wear a helmet we had to set an example. It is fortunate for me that we did - a few years ago I was only cycling the kids to their pre school a mile or so away. I had the trailer on the back and hit a patch of black ice. I came off and my head hit the road very hard. My helmet cracked badly, but my head was perfectly fine. Thankfully the trailer stayed upright and the kids were OK.

[nic840]

She will come around...as you know it just takes time!
I also wanted to let you know that my older daughter didn't like the burley because it bowed her back a little and made it uncomfortable for her. I ended up putting a little moshi (one with the little bippy filling) in the small of her back and it made all the difference.

Oh and when looking at helmets look for ones with a flat back. Fits better in the trailer and doesn't push their head forward.
My little one has a Trek helmet that fits great in the trailer. Pretty soon you will be pulling the trail-a-bike with the trailer hooked to it! I get stares all the time! I added two flags, on the the trail bike and one on the trailer so everyone sees me!
Good luck and let us know the progress! -Nic

[Zen]

Pretty soon you will be pulling the trail-a-bike with the trailer hooked to it! I get stares all the time! I added two flags, on the the trail bike and one on the trailer so everyone sees me!

Reminds me of the Geico commercial with the Pips
Take the train to Happy Town!

[mamaof5]

If you can stand just wearing yours around the house all day long maybe she will get curious and want to wear hers too. ?

[mimitabby]

oh wow, I just had a great idea!!

this does not involve bikes.
you have other kids, right?
get their favorite snack, gum drops, cashews, whatever.
and play a game.
Whoever puts on a baseball cap gets a treat.
kids all put caps on, get treats.
whoever puts a scarf on.. gets a treat
kids all put scarves on, get treats.
Whoever puts on a bike helmet, even for a second,
gets a treat!

then focus on having her wear it for more than a second.
if i can train my cat to open and close doors, you can do the same with your kid!
good luck!

[lattelover]

These are all fantastic. ;-) Thanks for taking the time to think through my problem with me. She likes wearing her helmet in the house...my son and I have spend MANY hours parading ours around for her. ;-) (ah, the things we do) I think the comment about her just not being comfortable in the burley is right on target. I need to work on getting something in there to keep her sitting up straighter. She seems hunched forward. And then the helmet pushes her head forward, although the one we have now does have a flat back.

Until then, we will do many quick trips across the street to the ice cream shop.

My hubby and son went out this weekend together, and she was SUPER pissed that she didn't get to go... One of these days, she'll figure it out...

Thanks again!
Cyndie

[ehirsch83]

Just wanted to drop a note and say thanks! I am not a parent but I do work in a local LBS and every few days I get parents in shopping for helmets for their little kids. Usually, the youngins don't want the helmet anywhere near there head. After reading this thread I know had been able to give the parents some ideas on how to make it easier to get the children to wear their helmets. Thank you for all the great ideas and tips!