I'm convinced Heelys are proof of a decline in civilization.

[meandtheguys2]

Just b/c they don't present the same kind of danger, does not make them absent of danger.

Getting behind the wheel of a car poses great danger...doesn't mean all cars are banned or demonic. It just means that someone made dangerous choices! Alcohol causes specific dangers, more than heelies, I would assume... You can't save everyone from all danger all of the time!

It is about people being responsible. And teaching responsibility.

 

[Fitswimmer]

Just b/c they don't present the same kind of danger, does not make them absent of danger.

Nothing is absent of danger. There's a risk in most of the stuff that kids play with-especially outside.

I think the real point of this whole long thing is that there is a lack of consideration for others that has reached epidemic proportions in both adults and kids. Heely's are just a convenient outlet for the "rage" over that epidemic.

 

[zagafi]

Nothing is absent of danger. There's a risk in most of the stuff that kids play with-especially outside.

I think the real point of this whole long thing is that there is a lack of consideration for others that has reached epidemic proportions in both adults and kids. Heely's are just a convenient outlet for the "rage" over that epidemic.

Yep, that's it in a nutshell. The "Heely incident" at church just crystallized for me what I was irritated about--it's the lack of parenting leading to lack of regard for anyone else!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Who said they were absent of danger? Neither is walking down the street, but it still doesn't make it as dangerous as riding a skateboard.

There are rules in place designed to protect people in various situations. The problem with Heelies is that there are no rules and where there are rules, they are disobeyed.

You may have perfect children who know to where to use them appropriately--but as with anything else...the creation of rules/laws agains their usage in certain venues...is b/c there are too many that spoil it for the rest of the bunch.

I didn't say you did say it was absent of danger--my implication rather was "well it isn't as dangerous as X" isn't a valid defense of their usage in public.

 

[beautybelle]

Everybody keeps talking about bad parenting, kids are doing this and kids are doing that. Kids will be kids they have been rotten balls of energy "back in the day" and they will be rotten balls of energy "today" they're not so different. I personally think the difference is peoples tolerance of them is lower today than what it used to be. To those of you who get your undies all twisted over a few kids on Heeleys then I would hate to see how you react over something really serious.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

It is about people being responsible. And teaching responsibility.

And when that doesn't happen....rules get made to help with that.
That was my point.

 

[nuke]

Everybody keeps talking about bad parenting, kids are doing this and kids are doing that. Kids will be kids they have been rotten balls of energy "back in the day" and they will be rotten balls of energy "today" they're not so different. I personally think the difference is peoples tolerance of them is lower today than what it used to be. To those of you who get your undies all twisted over a few kids on Heeleys then I would hate to see how you react over something really serious.

Amen!

Until something serious happens I promise not to get annoyed at all the whining screeching kids if you promise not to be annoyed at my kid who happens to be rolling instead of walking.

 

[MushyMushy]

Our youth now love luxury. They have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for their elders, and love chatter in places of exercise. They no longer rise when elders enter the room. They contradict their parents, chatter before company, gobble food and tyrannize their teachers.

I wonder if kids in Socrates' day had heelys?

 

[cardaway]

Everybody keeps talking about bad parenting, kids are doing this and kids are doing that. Kids will be kids they have been rotten balls of energy "back in the day" and they will be rotten balls of energy "today" they're not so different. I personally think the difference is peoples tolerance of them is lower today than what it used to be. To those of you who get your undies all twisted over a few kids on Heeleys then I would hate to see how you react over something really serious.

I don't think anybody said anything about it being more serious than other issues.

Why is it that people think that outrageous comparisons make good arguements? Do people really think that just because Heely's are not as bad as (fill in the blank) that others do not have the right to discuss them?

 

[Aidensmom]

I don't think Heelies are bad in themselves. They can be used appropriately, and it is the parent's responsibility to teach the children what appropriate is. While many of the parents on the DIS may teach their children what is appropriate, not all do. I think that is what the OP is talking about, and I completely agree.

If your child is with you in the grocery store wearing heelies, and they are slowly gliding along side of you just as if they were walking, I wouldn't even notice they were wearing them. However, when the parents use the heelies as a way of entertaining their children by letting them skate around the store unsupervised as if it was roller rink (and YES, I have witnessed this in several grocery stores, Walmarts, and Targets in my area), they are a safety risk both to themselves and to others and they are just a general nuisance and pain in the rear to the people who are trying to shop and push their full grocery cart down the aisle.

I do believe that as time goes on, children have less and less supervision and guidance in society as a whole. This is not to say that every parent gives less guidance, but that there are more parents that give very little. Some people are so terrified that their child may get upset at them, or God forbid, tell them that they don't like them, that they let their children rule the roost.

 

[C.Ann]

I have a new stand on Heely's.. As long as parents who allow their children to wear them in inappropriate places - and have no problems with the actions I will take if necessary - I promise I'll back off.. The consequences will be:

(A) If they are worn in a place that has clearly prohibited them (and I believe the parks in Disney have that rule - as well as many stores, malls, etc.), I will do everything in my power to have you and your child removed from the premises..

(B) If I am knocked down and injured by a child wearing Heely's, I will sue you for medical costs and punitive damages for not controlling and/or supervising your child.. Neither my insurance company nor I should have to bear the costs incurred as a result of unsupervised children or parents who look the other way..

(C) If your child is wheeling past my room at Disney at all hours of the day and night on my next trip making a racket (as was the case this past December) - I will do everything in my power to have you and your family ousted from the resort.. If that fails, I will stand outside of your room in the middle of the night - as well as very early in the morning - making as much noise as humanely possible so that you will understand what if feels like to have your sleep interrupted by "inconsiderate individuals.."

If you are a parent who would never allow your children to do any of the above, we're "good" (although I do think it's a lack of common sense to allow children to use these items without the proper safety equipment - but that's a different issue)..

If you are a parent who is certain that your child "would never run into someone and knock them down" - or feels that it's perfectly fine for your child to use Heely's in areas where they are prohibited - I'm not "good" - and you're going to have problems..

I will show you the same consideration that you show me..

 

[Karel]

Last time I said this on a Heely thread, someone told me I thought my kids could do no wrong so I am taking my chances by admitting that my kids are very good at using Heelys. They don't whiz by anyone, and are able to use them with a lot of control. They more or less glide, and then when they want to stop, they simply put their foot down. By some of the descriptions here on the DIS, I picture a huge rolling rink full of kids who have never been on skates before. I just don't see that around here I guess.

I agree with this. My daughter is not skating like she's in roller hockey or anything. She walks in them as much as she rolls. She knows when she can roll and when she can't. She doesn't whizz around and doesn't run into people.

And yes, she uses them in our house too. She uses them in a parking lot to glide down a hill. It looks like a ton of fun.

 

[mariolatry]

double post

 

[mariolatry]

And you never will. Heelies in no way present the same kind of danger as skateboards, its just a fact.

No, they're very little danger to your kid. However, my 17-month-old, who has a huge goose egg on her forehead from being knocked down by a kid "gliding" on heelies, might feel a little differently.

Once again I ask, no matter how little the risk, WHY do kids have to do it indoors? What could the possible justification be? Because they want to? Because it's fun? If it's not necessary and there is a risk, it shouldn't be done.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

No, they're very little danger to your kid. However, my 17-month-old, who has a huge goose egg on her forehead from being knocked down by a kid "gliding" on heelies, might feel a little differently.

Once again I ask, no matter how little the risk, WHY do kids have to do it indoors? What could the possible justification be?

But see---if it were a skateboard, your kid could have gotten a concussion or a broken limb. Since it isn't as dangerous--it is "okay".

(obviously not--but that was might point earlier)

 

[nuke]

But see---if it were a skateboard, your kid could have gotten a concussion or a broken limb. Since it isn't as dangerous--it is "okay".

(obviously not--but that was might point earlier)

And the baby could have been knocked down by a kid running around just as easily yet why isn't running causing the downfall of civilization?

 

[CheshireVal]

And the baby could have been knocked down by a kid running around just as easily yet why isn't running causing the downfall of civilization?

I don't think parents should let their kids run in stores, either. It's just as annoying as heelys.

 

[nuke]

I don't think parents should let their kids run in stores, either. It's just as annoying as heelys.

Exactly.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

And the baby could have been knocked down by a kid running around just as easily yet why isn't running causing the downfall of civilization?

OP said it was hyperbole.

And can you think of anyone who justifies a child running in a store? The only thing I can think of is that the parent might take it more seriously b/c everyone knows you don't run in stores. But what harm could heelies cause?

I have more of a problem with the parents who allow this harmless activity than I do with the actual activity itself.


Plus little kids in high heels (when they walk with the heelies..their heel is elevated) or when they are roaming around with the toes up--I am concerned about their fit as well in an unnatural position for extended periods of time.

 

[JunieJay]

There are rules in place designed to protect people in various situations. The problem with Heelies is that there are no rules and where there are rules, they are disobeyed.

You may have perfect children who know to where to use them appropriately--but as with anything else...the creation of rules/laws agains their usage in certain venues...is b/c there are too many that spoil it for the rest of the bunch.

I didn't say you did say it was absent of danger--my implication rather was "well it isn't as dangerous as X" isn't a valid defense of their usage in public.

Here we go again with someone assuming my kids are perfect. You obviously haven't met them.

What I said is my kids are very skilled at using Heelies. They won't knock you down or run into you, because they know how to ride them. They do wear them in public -- they wear them on the bike path near my house, where people are walking, jogging and riding bikes, and they have never knocked anyone down or run into them, and the path is a lot more narrow than what you see in malls. They don't ride them in malls, because quite frankly, we don't live near malls...we live in an urban area where most stores are street front. I would not have a problem with them wearing them in malls unless they were prohibited, which as far as I can see in this area they are not. Again, they don't recklessly whip around in their Heelies, they are gliding alongside at a pace no faster than most people walk. I expect them to be considerate of other people whether they are on Heelies or on a bike or on foot. It has nothing whatsoever to do with being "perfect" or me implying any such thing, I can assure you.