Once they're old enough to make their own informed decison on the helmet, they can decide. Probably because they'll take it off as soon as they're out of my sight, anyway. Until then, they need to wear it because I'm the Dad and I say so. :-)
That'd be about it for playing helicopter parent. I took the kids up to the family farm for summer vacation this year. Only rules were 1) Don't go in the river by yourself and 2) Stay within earshot so you'll hear when I holler for lunch (or, conversely, I'll hear if they holler for me.....)
Soon as both of them learn how to swim well....hopefully by next year....Rule 1 goes out the window. :-)
They had a blast. Nothing like turning a kid loose to explore all day. We're headed back up again next year.
Farms are great places for kids, particularly if they are working farms. Only one thing I remember not liking about growing up on one. I had to gather and wash the eggs so we could sell them. Had to be real careful when gathering eggs and carefully poke under the hen first with a small stick. On occasion a black snake would slither out from under one of the them. I still have a huge fear of anything that looks like a snake to this day.