KEVIN TOAL (IT'S ONLY FUNNY WHEN DAD DOES IT)
Halifax News Net

One of the things my wife Lydia and I have always stressed with our children is the need to pick their battles. Sometimes it’s best to give in if the prize is not worth the fight. For example, both my son Mitchell and daughter Sylvia share an aversion to haircuts. They take their cue from the title song from Hair and want theirs to grow “down to where it stops by itself.” But, that just ain’t going to happen.
This, of course, starts a pointless battle. There is no way we’d ever let our kids go to school looking like members of Cousin It’s family. So, no matter how much they plead, Mitchell and Sylvia’s locks do get cropped.
“You cannot defeat me,” I’ll intone in my Obi Wan Kenobi voice. This quickly morphs into a hackneyed Yoda impersonation. “Choose your battles you must!”
This fall, my Jedi teachings were heeded and I must say Sylvia has chosen well. 
A few years back, I wrote about Sylvia’s choice to continue to wear a helmet while figure skating. Even though she has several figure skating levels under her belt, Sylvia chooses to wear the protective headgear despite encouragement from coaches to stop.
Then we heard that Sylvia could be forced to get rid of the helmet, or else quit figure skating. Faced with this dilemma, Sylvia enlisted our aid to find support for her cause.
We searched the Internet looking for information on head injuries related to skating and came across an article about Ron Ludington, a member of the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame. During 39 years of skating and coaching, the Olympic bronze medal winner has seen many injuries which could have been avoided or lessened had helmets been worn. Because of this, Ludington believes helmets should be worn during all practice sessions.
Armed with this substantial backing for her argument, Sylvia has decided she will fight any attempt to strip her of protection. She knows it’s an uphill battle, but it’s one she’s willing to face. I only hope it won’t take a tragedy to get others to see her point. And it is her point. She’s come to this decision without any parental interference. In fact, if anyone is asserting their influence it’s Sylvia — on us!
“You agree that it’s stupid not to be safe, right?” Sylvia asked.
Naturally, Lydia and I agreed. The alternative response was a ridiculous one. “Then you should wear a helmet,” she concluded.
What could I say? I could hardly argue that adults have thicker skulls and need less protection — even though I suspect my daughter just might agree. So, Lydia and I purchased our own helmets.
Sylvia may lose the war but, for now, she’s won a major skirmish. In this case, I think she has picked her fight well.
atoal@ns.sympatico.ca
Kevin Toal is a freelance writer currently working on his latest novel. His anthology, Tales of Mystery, Suspense and Fantasy can be found at the Bedford Coles and Indigo locations.