Part of Thomas's advertising has been to take flyers around the neighborhood. Yesterday he mentioned he was off to do this, and I saw him ride down the driveway on his bike...without a helmet. I immediately opened the front door and he stopped to see what I wanted. I told him he needed to wear a helmet, and he, without question, turned around and complied. I double checked to make sure the next time he came down the driveway he had it on, and that was that.
Some might think I am crazy for insisting he wear it here in our fairly uneventful little neighborhood. Reality though, is that anything can happen anywhere at anytime. A car can still go too fast here, or Thomas could turn wrong or lose control in front of a vehicle...or just fall onto the road and hit his head. All of these things are real possibilities that can happen, but can be prevented (although not completely) by wearing a helmet.
So yes, I was 'that mom' who made him go get a helmet. Because I don't want to be the mom no one wants to be...the one who is grieving her son. I am watching our friend go through that after losing her eight-year-old last week. It is excruciating and heartbreaking. It is a club that no one wants to join. I am completely okay with being thought to be too over protective in an effort to avoid joining that club. Please know I am not judging my friend and accusing her of being lax. She was one of the most devoted and protective moms I know...fiercely so. Some things are beyond our control, but I plan to be safe about the ones that we can do something about.
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