Stubborn Teenager won't wear helmet!

cmacblue42

Ok im 13 and what i would do is get him to walk. he will have to get up earlier to walk so it serves as a double punishment. Also, dont limit yourself to the bike, work on Tv, video games, etc. Also, the helmet maybe the problem, is it a BMX/skateboard style helmet or is it an old, ugly 20 dollar helmet even adults wouldnt wear. the style now is inspired by skateboarding which is no helmet or a skate style helmet, so, at this age, you can count on him not wearing any other style helmet unless he is a road biker, like me, in which we think road helmets are cool.

otherworld

This is not a cycling question, it's a parenting question. I can't believe you are so pathetic.

Jay

Ike90

As though hammering on someone who is simply seeking advice makes you meaningful and somehow more valuable?

I don't think so, mate.

Scotty_Dog

Let it go people - this topic is 10 months old!!

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"There is alot of blather here that does not float the hooey barge." boudreaux 11/22/2005

kf5nd

This is what I do when I teach cycling merit badge to teenaged boy scouts.

I grab one of the smaller ones by the waist, and invert him until he absolutely upside-down, and his head is about 2 feet above the floor.

Then I ask him, "TELL ME WHEN YOU YOU WANT ME TO LET GO !"

After he squeaks or screams enough, I let him down, and I tell the entire class, THAT'S why you wear a bike helmet.

Also, my 14 year old always wears his helmet without complaint... because I do.

I think he asked once or twice why other kids didn't have to wear helmets, but he had to, I just said "because they and their parents are stupid". He accepts that answer because he likes to believe that his family is smarter than most.

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Peter Wang, LCI

Sedje

I would say that the most reasonable way to get him to ride with a helmet is to get him a helmet that he will want to wear. Go the bike store with him and let him choose one. Kids want to look cool and the reason he is most likely not wearing one is because he's afraid he'll look like a geek.

The above statements about giving him an ulitimatum will only build resentment in your child so try meeting him half way. Logicaly explain to him the dangers of riding with out one then explain that he needs to wear. Then you can tell him you will take him to choose a helmet to wear. Get him in the store and 9 out 10 times he'll pick a helmet and he'll ride with one after he knows the dangers of not using one.

You would be amazed how much just using plain logic and approaching it in the same manner you would another adult will do when talking with teenagers. I have known alot of parents use this approach in the same situation you are in and it worked for them so give it a try.

Sedje

That is the most insane and abusive approach to teaching a lesson I've ever heard. Why not just bash them a couple times with a bat or humiliate him. That will probably have the same effect on him pschologicaly.

Trek_Rider_05

Last I checked helmets were / are directly related to cycling. Are you THAT much of a cyclosnob that you cant get off your high-cycle-horse and at least offer some kind of small piece of advice? Yeah, you were oh so helpful in this thread. And your comment, at least IMHO, make you the pathetic one here.

Jeesh.

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fatboy61

Ummm no... it's a parenting issue ok? Discussing the merits of wearing a helmet is directly related to cycling. Asking advice on how to make a child in your care compliant with the law simply getting them to do what you want them to do is a parenting issue.
I can't wait for the "Stubborn teenager won't eat carrots" thread.

wooliferkins

Good grief,

This boy appears to want to be fit! If he likes riding but not off road find him a road club or a track club channel that testosterone! Has he read this lot? He may be interested to know that a stroppy teenager from Texas got quite good at winning one race a year, upsetting the entire French nation annually, and got to wake up with a rock star for two years. Oh yeah he wore a helmet.

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Neil

www.dotbike.com

kf5nd

Speaking as the parent of a strong-willed 14 year old boy, it sounds like yours has you and your husband very well trained. This process has probably been going on since infanthood. It may be too late to reinforce who is head of the household.

If no helmet, and you lock up his bike, you're screwed because then your life is made harder / more expensive because you have to haul his a$$ to school. Which he may prefer, because he stays up until 2 am and he's too tired to ride. So that's hardly a win for you.

This is a tough one, because you have no leverage. If mine were to decide he didn't like the helmet, u-lock goes on bike, no problem, I did it once when he was about 10, never had a problem since. He'd have to take the bus, which he HATES.

Tell him honestly how expensive the bus is. Discuss with him the actual dollar amount, show him the bill, tell him what impact it has on family finances. What you have to cut back on in other areas. Or, tell him how it impacts you to haul his a$$ around, that it makes you late to work, etc. Then ask him to help the family out, to help contribute to some of the family solutions by riding his bike, and oh by the way, the only safe way you'll allow him to do it is by wearing a helmet?

Another thing, you have to be a role model. My kids wear helmets because I ride 4000 miles per year and wear one. The other kids on his bike racing team did, and coach always did.

Maybe he has the wrong friends. A friend is not going to make fun of someone who is trying to protect his own health. What about when the topic of discussion is not helmets, but condoms, IV drug use, or binge drinking? That day is coming fast.

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Peter Wang, LCI

kf5nd

Coach will make him wear a helmet. Coach never has a problem being in charge. Coach doesn't feel guilty or conflicted about being the authority figure.

kf5nd

bikeforums.net is down... I can't let it go! I just came back here after several months!

When bikeforums comes back up, I'm gone!

alfeng

In addition to finding a hospice, as suggested, where there are YOUNG people suffering from brain injuries, if it hasn't been mentioned (sorry, I didn't read all the replies) then find out who his friends are with whom he rides, determine whether or not they wear helmets AND ask their parents what the deal is if they don't wear helmets.

The other alternative (was this mentioned?) is to take his bike away from him ... AND, mention that he won't have driving privileges when until he is on his own ...