Kids falling a sleep riding pilion

[Wheelie]

My kids have been riding as pillions on the occational short ride - since they were three (less than 20 kms). For the first couple of years I used a special child seat for motorcycles, complete with stirrups. I've used a special harness with handles on them - strapping the child to the rider (I preferred the seat, although they can be used in combination). The last few years I have not used any of these safety measures as the kids are getting big and can now reach the footpegs (also there are some risks with these safety measures as well as the kids won't clear the bike or the rider as easily in the event of an accident).

Before, when I used the extra safety measures, I was never concerned about the kids falling asleep. As I no longer use them, I am. I therefore never take trips longer than I know I can keep them awake (less than 30 minutes in my daugters case). I would now like to go further and would like your opinions.

My number one concern is my kids falling off in their sleep - though I have never heard that happening to any pillion - ever.

My second concern is that their sleepy heads, being tilted, could cause more severe injury in the event of an accident. A neck brace could probably be the answer to this latter problem though.

I am not too concerned about the dead weight's effect on handling. It takes a lot of riding together before a pillion and rider acts as one, and I am yet to be so fortunate to experience such a thing for myself. The kids are not exactly heavy weight either.

I would like to start taking my kids on rides beyond my back yard...

What are your thoughts?