Amusement Parks

I'd ask my doctor about the concussions and what he/she thinks about the more intense rides. I have a daughter who loves the crazy rides. She was probably 8 when she wanted to ride a loopy rollercoaster at Knotts. No problems but she was healthy and doesn't get dizzy. She loved it. Her only problem at that age was finding someone to wait in line and ride with her. (not me!)

I think the amount of head jerking around on those rides is really pretty minimal, compared to injuries that cause concussions. If your son is itching to try them, I would let him go and find out for himself. He may not have liked it at 6, but there's a big difference between 6 and 8. Most likely, he'll be fine. I was able to go on coasters with 48 inch height requirements when I was 7. You may have known about 1 child that ended up with some injuries after being on a coaster, but compared to the thousands of kids that ride these rides every year without incident, statistically it's highly unlikely for anything bad to happen. And as one person already posted, the harnesses on the rides lock them in really well so there's hardly any jerking around at all.

I am a huge coaster enthusiast and rarely meet a coaster that I don't like.

That being said, I find wooden coasters to be much more jarring than steel ones, and would prefer a big steel coaster with multiple loops and cork screws than a wooden one with a couple of big downhill drops.

IMHO you are correct to be concerned about the head trauma, particularly if he has had concussions previously. He may incur further damage without even knowing it. Even the steel coasters can "rattle" you a bit.

If he were my son I would do exactly what you are doing, and that is WAIT until he's quite a bit older and taller. That's a harsh recommendation, but that's what I would do (and I love coasters with a passion and love when one of my sons rides with me).

If he's ever been seen by a neurologist for the concussion or loss of consciousness you could possibly make a quick appointment there, too, to ask the wisdom of riding coasters at his age and size.

But all that aside, I would do what you're doing. Yes, it's hard. But lifelong neurological damage is even harder. My oldest son is giving up tackle football for that very reason. He's gotten into performing arts and doesn't want to lose his great eye-hand coordination for guitar with one bad shot to the head.

Hugs.

PS: Just saw your location - you must be near Kingda Ka . . . oh I'm jealous. Have been wanting to ride that beast for years! :)

And what does his doctor say about it? You've asked him/her, right?

I'm with you totally but at the same time I have kids who love rides. It's hard to prevent them from riding them when they're excited and hubby is encouraging them. I went on the Xcelerator ride at Knott's Berry Farm because I was afraid for my kids who all went...LOL It killed my head and I nearly threw up. They loved it though and would have gone again had the ride not broke down while we were on it...LOL

My first loop coaster was at age 2. There weren't restrictions then, like there are now, and my parents put me on. The restrictions are there for a reason, so if he meets them, I see no reason why he couldn't go on!

Height requirements are for safety. But only you and your child know if he is emotionally ready for the scary rides. And if his dr says theres no problem with his head injuries then I say let him go if he wants. Hopefully you or dad go with him so he has all the fun and has someone to share the experience with incase it is scary. We recently went to Disneyland with our 3 yr old grand daughter and she was tall enough for some pretty scary things that I wont go on. (Im a big chicken) She begged and her M. wanted to take her so, even tho I didnt like the idea, she went on big roller coasters and had a blast! She came off those rides begging to go again! She is 3 and LOVED Tower Of Terror in Ca. Adventure park. If she had gone on the ride and didnt like it, she woudnt have gone again, but she ended up riding that horrible thing 4 times! The biggest dissapointment was when she saw the HUGE rollercoaster California Screamin, and found out she wasnt tall enough. She cried and cried and still weeks later says when she eats enough broccoli and gets taller we can go back and ride it! Geesh, she is one gutsy little girl. So your son is plenty old enough and tall enough to ride those big rides. I say if he asks and knows what they are going to be like, then go with him for moral support and it might be a lot of fun for you both. If he doesnt want to go, then dont. If he goes and doesnt enjoy it, then dont go again, Sounds simple to me.

I went on loop roller coasters and things like that when I was 9 at Carowinds in NC. Most roller coasters now have harnesses.. I actually feel a little uneasy when they don't... I still ride them but the harnesses feel more secure. There isn't throwing side to side if he is properly secured in the harness. Several of the big roller coasters at Carowinds had a plastic type harness that clicked over you... like had a spot for your head and just clicks and locks over your torso and the part where your head goes in extends, I mean like the plastic type material goes up both sides to your head to the top of the ride. You don't jerk around hardly at all in those.

I agree with Victoria, ask his doctor since he has had those head traumas. Who cares if your husband thinks your overprotective, better to be safe than sorry, and you have some real concerns regarding his head.

I don't remember my age of my first ride. . .last year my oldest (who was 7 at the time) went on his first roller coaster with a loop, the year before he went on a wooden one with no loops. My husband went with him both times and he LOVED it. He went on twice-then I forced them to move along to another ride because I was bored (and pregnant!) LoL

I think it depends on the child. If they meet the requirements and they want to go then let them.

I loved every ride in amusement parks from my early teens to my late 20s.
And then the ones that went upside down started giving me headaches, so I began to avoid those.
Then the ones that went spinning in tight circles began causing prolonged nausea, so I began to avoid those.
These days I can do the merry go round and the Ferris wheel and that's it.
My son is 12 now, and he's felt sick after a few rides and he doesn't want them anymore.
We'll watch others on the 'barf-o-matics' but going on anything that makes you feel sick just really spoils your whole day.
It doesn't hurt if you make your son wait till he's taller, a bit heavier, a bit stronger before he tries the more challenging rides.

I hate roller coasters/amusement park rides--always have! If your son seems interested, let him go. If he is hesitant--don't let anyone force him. My oldest is 5 and is a lot like me. He won't be a roller coaster rider! My middle son has a complex heart defect, so there are no rides in his future. My little guy is only 10 months, so time will tell. My husband LOVES roller coasters--but he also went to airborne school!

If I felt my child's neck was too weak and their head was at risk, I would say no to certain rides and tell my husband to lump it. Much like I did when he wanted to turn the kids front facing at 1 year old. Nope, sorry. Lump it.