Better Safe Than Sorry

As a parent I feel it’s my job to see that my children are safe and protected.  When they were little it was simple things like, making sure they were properly fastened into their car seat, holding their hand as they crossed the street or sitting with them at night assuring them that there were no monsters under their bed.

As they grew older I found that I really missed those much simpler protective days of just running along side their bike to catch them if they fell.  You’ll find that once they turn sixteen it’s not that easy running along side their car!  And even though my protective instincts are just as strong today as they were then, I’ve had to learn to redirect them a little bit.  You just hope and pray that everything you’ve taught them throughout their childhood and into their adolescence slowly sinks in over time and since I have four boys, I do mean slowly.   

 

Needless to say with raising four boys there was never a lack of scraped knees, bruises and a few broken bones.  My husband’s love of motorcycles rubbed off on the boys stemming their passion for riding; dirt bikes, quad runners, gokarts, dune buggies – simply put anything with a motor that they could go fast on.  Hence the reason I’m always harping to my boys about safety!

 

·         Motorcycle boots – whether the boys are riding dirt bikes in the field or motorcycle’s out on the open road, boots (preferrably steel toe boots!) are a must.  Since they were young my husband has stressed the importance of wearing boots while riding.  Traction, ankle protection and heat from the bike are just a few examples of the protection a boot can give a rider. 

·         Goggles/safety glasses – they never get on a bike or quad without some type of eye protection.  This is pretty much just common sense because when you’re moving at such a fast rate of speed you have to have something protecting your eyes.  It’s always a plus to have glasses that are anti-scratch and anti-fog with UV Protection from the sun.  

·         Helmet – at our house no one gets on a motorized bike of any kind without a helmet – ever!  Even now that the boys are older, they always wear a helmet whether they’re taking a trip on their motorcycles or out goofing off with friends in the dune buggy. 

We have a big barn out back where we store all the “toys” the boys still like to ride and my husband has his workshop out there.  Since the boys were little the same sign has hung over the work bench, “Better Safe Than Sorry.”  I’m glad we instilled in them from a very young age the importance of being safe while riding. 

Being a mom of course I worry a lot (according to my kids, too much), but that’s just the way I am.  My mother was a worrier and I guess I got the “worry gene” from her.  However, when I see the boys heeding some of the advice my husband and I have given them over the years I can’t help but smile.  I told you all those talks would sink in, slowly.