On Being Over Protective

Being a parent, hubby and I are very protective with our only child/son. We do all we can to keep Jacob safe in almost everything. Sometimes people say that we need to lighten up and let our son enjoy being kid and to learn the consequences of his actions. Oh well, it is easier said than done. We could never take that chances. Kids nowadays are smart. They'll do all they can to justify their actions. They know better but they still do the wrong thing because that is what their friends do. Let say, learning to ride his bike. Jacob saw some kids in our neighborhood not using helmets; he thought he need to do that too even though he knew he is supposed to use the riding helmets we bought him. He has two, but for some reason he wanted to keep both of then....but doesn't want to use any of them. Every time I ask him to give the other one away, he would say 'no' for he needs it. I don't know what to say, but keep it!