Comments on: Thudguard kid’s helmets (not for cycling)

By: henry

henry — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 10:20:27 +0000

Kathy,
I have two little ones myself and have also seen that kids can do some very strange and scary things. Of course I commiserate with your situation (which probably and hopefully has already disappeared) but I still have a strong suspicion that putting a helmet on your daughter will hamper not help her development. The amateur child psychologist in me suggests that the pain of falling is not the problem, since all kids share this pain. Instead the problem is a function of her reaction to the event, perhaps the pain but just as possibly another factor such as the reactions of those around her.

Kidiez,
Frits, DrMekon, Todd and I all note above that we’re sensitive to the emotional side of wanting to protect your kids but cannot avoid being highly skeptical about the concept. We’re not reckless and I believe we all have children. However we share a feeling that these helmets are not merely frivolous and certainly not a positive new concept that we’ll just have to get used to. No, I’ve come to the conclusion that they’re actually a BAD IDEA and that it’s ethically wrong to promote them. Your “guerilla marketing tactics” are thus not welcome, in the same way that Volvo’s campaign to promote helmets that protect children from Volvos is not welcome:
http://www.bakfiets-en-meer.nl/2010/06/09/volvo-introduces-helmet-to-protect-against-volvos/

Please find something positive to sell by “guerilla marketing tactics”.

By: Frits B

Frits B — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 09:45:27 +0000

Can I say that this borders on child molestation? The helmet is not only hampering a kid’s normal learning experience, but also stunts the growth of the skull. According to the website these helmets stretch from 40 to 50 cm, but children’s skulls vary quite a bit in size. I wonder what a paediatrician would say.

By: Kidiez.com

Kidiez.com — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 22:06:51 +0000

@Henry, we have an unique product but not known yet. That is our USP. Sometimes succes is not coming as planned. It takes time. The Dutch will change from attitude. That takes time and guerilla marketing tactics.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:37:38 +0000

In response to pain, my daughter has just started holding her breath until she passes out. (It is called breath holding spells.) As she is learning to walk, she often bumps her head or face. I am buying a helmet to protect her head to try to reduce these spells.

By: henry

henry — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:45:53 +0000

Kidiez.com,
Have you really done your market research? Selling house helmets for kids in the Netherlands sounds about as smart as marketing ice to Eskimos. The Dutch don’t even bother putting helmets on their kids while riding bikes through the inner city and the kids often don’t even sit in approved child seats. This country is very realistic about the differences between real and perceived dangers. But hey, knock youself out!

By: KIDIEZ.COM

KIDIEZ.COM — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 21:34:57 +0000

See our website where you can get Thudguard soon in the Netherlands. You can make reservations now. KIDIEZ.COM

By: DrMekon

DrMekon — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 09:19:16 +0000

We my little ‘un started walking, I looked at these. The conclusion I came to was that it seemed unlikely that they are only going to help in little tumbles, and that the skull is perfectly good for protecting under those circumstances. Sure, it might stop an “ouchie”, but there may be behavioural consequences from wearing one. However, we’ve absolutely gone for the “baby proofing” stuff. Every corner and edge in our house seems to have a rubber guard blu-taked to it.

By: todd

todd — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 20:15:00 +0000

I’ve met some awfully clumsy little people, and it’s quite horrible to witness them “learning the hard way.” The usual measure, less controversial, is to child-proof the house with various corner protectors, gates, strategic redecorating, etc. This would seem a simpler means to a similar end. I wouldn’t judge a parent harshly for considering one of these, at least not before knowing the child’s coordination, exuberance, and particular environmental hazards.