The obsession with bike helmets reflects a broader cultural fixation on bubble-wrapping children, shielding them from every possible scrape and bruise. While well-intentioned, this approach robs kids of valuable lessons learned through mistakes and adversity. Falling off a bike and skinning a knee isn’t just a rite of passage—it’s an opportunity to develop resilience, courage, and problem-solving skills. Protecting children from every risk fosters a false sense of security, leaving them ill-prepared for the inevitable challenges of life. Mental toughness is forged in the crucible of experience, not in the cocoon of overprotection. By allowing children to take calculated risks and face setbacks head-on, we teach them that pain and hardship are temporary, but the strength gained from overcoming them lasts a lifetime.