I like to think that this:

…becomes less scary when you see this:

And no, I’m not the kind of neurotic who makes their child wear personal safety equipment in a playground: I actually tried several times to get him to take it off. He had worn it to ride his bike to the playground (which I do insist on) and didn’t want to take it off.

I guess it was either keeping his head warm, or it just made him feel safer.