How can I get my teen to wear sports safety gear?
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RealAge answered:Getting kids to wear appropriate gear is one of those habits that gets harder to enforce as kids get older. Many parents tell me they have a really difficult time maintaining this habit once their kids hit adolescence because they either think it’s uncool, uncomfortable, or unnecessary, or sometimes all three. In fact, I read that most teens don’t wear bike helmets, even if required by law, and very few wear helmets when skateboarding, snowboarding, or skiing. In addition, it appears kids actually wear protective gear far less than many parents think they do.
Given this research, I suggest you ask your children how often they wear their protective gear. If they answer “most of the time” or “never,” find out why they don’t wear protective gear all of the time. Identifying why your child isn’t wearing the equipment can help you figure out what steps you need to take to change this habit.
Reasons kids don’t wear safety gear (and ways to respond):
- Didn’t feel cool (so join forces with other parents to make the habit more widely practiced; add favorite stickers or painted images)
- It’s uncomfortable, annoying, or hot (so get equipment that fits properly)
- Only practicing or playing (so let kids know that these are the times when most accidents happen)
- Just riding/skating close to home (so always wear protective gear yourself)
- Parent didn’t wear it (so always wear protective gear yourself)
- Didn’t need it (so show kids shots of pros who wear the gear)
From Good Kids, Bad Habits: The RealAge Guide to Raising Healthy Children by Jennifer Trachtenberg.
Find out more about this book: Good Kids, Bad Habits: The RealAge Guide to Raising Healthy Children
Getting kids to wear appropriate gear is one of those habits that gets harder to enforce as kids get older. Many parents tell me they have a really difficult time maintaining this habit once their kids hit adolescence because they either think... More
