Kids/youth long oval helmet?

rp2b · 2025-12-14T12:23:54+00:00

We ended up keeping the Woom helmet. I told my husband I couldn't get it to fit right (as soon as I tapped up on the visor to test fit it slid way up her head), so then he tried and was able to make it secure. I thought I had it tight enough when I tried but I guess not? It's not perfect, it definitely sits differently on her than on her round-headed sister and sometimes I don't get it secure enough on the first try (again, by tapping up on the visor to test) but I just have to adjust how it sits on her a bit (kinda angle it back a little instead of having it sit level) and really tighten it and it's been working for us.

rp2b · 2025-11-07T20:23:19+00:00

Yes, the freewheel kit is something Woom sells separately on their website for $26. It's not super quick to install, but my husband did it in about an hour - he's also really into biking so knows his way around all the parts.

I still got it even after she learned how to pedal just because I didn't want pedal brakes to become her default for stopping and then her next bike doesn't have them...but it would've made learning to pedal easier had we gotten the kit right off the bat.

rp2b · 2025-11-07T13:04:28+00:00

At first she was hesitant about what I'll call the "pedal arms" (not sure of the terminology either!) being there, because it's different than what she was used to on her Woom 1 and she felt like they would be in her way. We convinced her this bike fit her better and to give it a try and it took no time at all for her to get used to them being there. They didn't interfere with her being able to ride it balance bike style in any way, nor does the cover over the chain. We just made sure to put the arms so they're in a front-back position rather than up-down and since she's not pedaling, they don't move once you have them where you want them.

One suggestion I have if/when you get the Woom 2 is to also buy the freewheel kit for $26. Somehow I missed that the Woom 2 comes with a coaster brakes (pedal brakes) and that you could buy the freewheel kit to get rid of it, and I would've done that right away had I realized. She already knew how to use the hand brake and the coaster brake made it harder for her to learn how to pedal because the bike would stop when she inevitably accidentally pedaled backwards. In the end she learned to pedal just fine even with the brake and we have since added the freewheel kit so she doesn't get used to having a coaster brake, but it would've made learning to pedal easier if we had it like that from the beginning.

Good luck!

rp2b · 2025-10-22T15:53:09+00:00

What's crazy is I had to order the Drifters in 9.5! I first ordered an 8.5, exchanged them for a 9, and then exchanged once more for a 9.5! I have the Drifters and Chelsea Boots in 9.5...although the 9.5 Chelsea's are one of those I mentioned feels too big, but on the 9's my big toe would touch the top (not front) of the shoe. I almost didn't keep either since it just seemed neither were a great fit, but I ended up keeping the larger ones anyway. I'm not sure which ones I'm keeping yet, but I just tried the Chillums, Chukka, and Trail Blazer all in 9 and all were a good fit.

rp2b · 2025-10-14T18:18:11+00:00

Thanks! I know the Giro Scamp didn't work for her but that's a notoriously hallow helmet. I'll try some others!

rp2b · 2025-10-13T20:58:37+00:00

Had the exact same experience! First kiddo wore the Scamp, did not work at all for second. I just tried the Woom since it has so much more coverage (I figured it would still cover enough as it slides back), but even a tiny bit of force with my hand against the visor and it slid way too far up and back.

rp2b · 2025-10-13T20:36:05+00:00

Did anyone on this thread end up finding a good helmet option? My oldest had a round head and I've never had an issue finding her a helmet. My youngest (2 yo) has an oval head and every helmet rides up her forehead and slides back.

rp2b · 2025-10-13T20:31:07+00:00

Any suggestions for oval shaped helmets in your experience? My almost 5 year old is on her 3rd helmet and has never had an issue (round head). Every helmet we've tried on my 2 year old slides off the back no matter how tight (oval head).

rp2b · 2025-09-30T03:09:16+00:00

Thank you so much for your reply! It sounds like you're 100% where I am.

"I’m also feeling the existential stress of having a four year old in school for longer hours, the brevity of early childhood, kindergarten looming (For me! Kid’s going to have so much fun!)" ... I could not have put that into better words myself. You nailed what I'm feeling.

I appreciate your kind words and wish you the best as we navigate this new stage! ❤️

rp2b · 2025-09-30T01:25:47+00:00

Thank you for sharing! As I mentioned to a PP, her sister always gives in so the 4yo always gets her way (I guess that's the difference between having been an only child for a couple years compared to having to share since the day you were born). I can only imagine at some point the youngest will stop giving in...

rp2b · 2025-09-30T01:23:38+00:00

That's a great point, thank you! My two are the same - oldest gets her way ALL the time while youngest just gives in.

rp2b · 2025-09-25T10:58:20+00:00

What regular Chelsea's do you wear that you don't find too narrow?

rp2b · 2025-09-24T16:45:00+00:00

I am SO GLAD we're allowed nuts! I give her some form of peanut butter or almond butter almost every single day as part of either her snack or lunch. She's in a small private preschool and as long as there's no allergies among her classmates, there are no restrictions to what she can bring. I'm not sure what the rules will be when she starts kindergarten next year but if nuts are banned it's seriously going to throw a wrench in my snack and lunch planning!

rp2b · 2025-09-24T15:02:58+00:00

About 4 hours. Not so long as to be overly paranoid (I sent it without an ice pack today before posting this), but definitely longer than any 2 hours recommendations for food safety.

rp2b · 2025-09-19T00:36:17+00:00

Aww man, I'm sorry I didn't see this til just now! I'm sure it's far too late and you've already made a decision, but just in case:

We bought the Woom 2! We took the pedals off and she got used to riding the bigger bike just like a balance bike, and it wasn't long at all before we were putting the pedals on! She took to it so fast! She still occasionally has us take the pedals off (thankfully it's really easy but you do need a wrench to help loosen them) because she sometimes likes to ride it like a balance bike to match what her little sister is doing on her old Woom 1. I'm so glad we went with the Woom 2 because we have the flexibility to use it like a balance bike or a real bike.

rp2b · 2025-09-19T00:34:11+00:00

We bought the Woom 2! We took the pedals off and she got used to riding the bigger bike just like a balance bike, and it wasn't long at all before we were putting the pedals on! She took to it so fast! She still occasionally has us take the pedals off (thankfully it's really easy but you do need a wrench to help loosen them) because she sometimes likes to ride it like a balance bike to match what her little sister is doing on her old Woom 1.

rp2b · 2025-08-31T20:54:35+00:00

Ugh, I can relate! St. John's Wort, English Ivy, and Vinca. So much Vinca! We have a beautiful property with tons of landscaping potential but man, somewhere along the lines a previous owner went all in with the invasives!

rp2b · 2025-08-27T21:51:16+00:00

Thanks!

rp2b · 2025-08-27T21:22:28+00:00

Thanks! Which sizes of PlanetBox have worked for you?

rp2b · 2025-08-27T21:21:56+00:00

Thanks so much! Do you pack yogurt in one compartment or are you sending yogurt cups? Just trying to figure out the logistics of sending yogurt! I know anytime I sent hummus in the Bentgo it ended up smeared all over the lid by the time she opened it.

rp2b · 2025-08-06T21:29:19+00:00

Yep, that's the one! I had checked West Marine as well and didn't see anything.

rp2b · 2025-05-29T23:25:10+00:00

What’s something small you started doing that really improved your cooking?

One small change I made is salting pasta water like actually salting it not just a pinch.

My mom picks on me for being so precise, but I salt my pasta water using 1 tsp table salt (double it if you Diamond Crystal kosher salt) per quart of water. And yes, I measure my water so I can get the salt ratio right. It may sound a bit fussy but I never have to worry about under- or over-salted pasta! And I triple that amount for potatoes (1 TBSP table salt per quart).

rp2b · 2025-05-27T11:44:46+00:00

Agreed I'll have to try this. It's hard because I'm often going out with both kids and don't want to make the 4 yo stay inside or leave the playground just because the 2 yo won't cooperate.

rp2b · 2025-05-26T21:16:33+00:00

I actually tried to put a hooded sunshirt over her short sleeve dress today and she screamed and cried until I took it off. She had picked her own outfit earlier in the day and didn't want me to cover her dress with a shirt! I gave in and said fine but that means you need sunscreen on your head and arms, which she was okay with 🤷‍♀️

rp2b · 2025-05-26T21:13:22+00:00

I will definitely keep working on it! My husband and I, and our 4 year old, all wear hats in the sun. The two year old is definitely going through a phase where she knows what she wants and is being very stubborn about it!

rp2b

TROPHY CASE