Oh yeah, there are always those parents that are going to freak out and be like "you got your kid a DIRTBIKE??". My nephew has been riding motorcross since he was 8 years old, he's turning 14 in october. They love it, it's a fun sport you just have to be careful. I've wrecked my quad quite a few times, haha. Everyone has their opinions, but if your kid loves it and learns to be safe on it then why not let him have one. If it makes him happy As you said, have your husband drive him to whereever he will be riding, riding on concrete/roads is a NO NO! lol trust me on that