Bikers in the Family

We've had a population explosion of those who can ride bikes -- at least in our family. Kai and Rowan have both learned how to ride their bicycles and it only took a couple days, a number of bruises, parental hard-heartedness, and complete rejection of the training wheels.

Following a friend's suggestion, I removed the training wheels and lowered the seats of the bicycles until the boys could easily put both feet on the ground. Within a few laps in front of the house, pushing the bike like Flintstones power cars, then wobbily balancing, then pedaling, then ... wow... riding.

It may not seem like a huge milestone, but it has been for us. Balance, height, speed, all that, caused panic attacks. As a parent, I find myself vascillating between knowing that all children are different, learning and growing and being in their own way -- and constantly worrying about what I might need to do for my children that they might reach their highest potential. Something pushed me this week to follow the advice and ignore the protests. I think I must have struck at the right time, because I knew a new trick and they also were competent enough with their balance and age, that it took them very little time to realize that they could do it all by themselves.

I bet they could have done it earlier, but it seems that now was a good time. My pressure for them to succeed was relatively little and they are very aware that the success was completely theirs. After the first signs of progress, both boys became driven (ridden) to master the bike and went out as often as possible to practice. I like that this accomplishment had very little to do with me; my only mean-mommy-moment was telling them that they had to push the bike with their feet past the house a few times. After that, I made no more requests (orders) and it turned out they were unnecessary.

Regarding this picture, it's one of those ones that is either an incredibly lucky shot or one that you do over and over again until it comes out right. The latter is the case. For parents this is a good thing, it wears the kids out. Keep asking the kids to ride/run/ski/whatever past you over and over again, even if you get the shot the first time. They'll sleep good that night. :)