Ride Like the Wind (Or a Small Puff of Air)
There was a group of kids riding their bikes past our driveway. Their ages ranged and sizes varied, but they had pedals in common. Handlebars glistening with the sun. It’s a scene that never seems to change. Two wheels and a child who believes they can fly like the wind. No matter the era, there’s just something about a kid and his bike.
Jedi has a bike that was handed down from his nephew. He won’t go anywhere near it. Last year, J made a few feeble attempts to teach him how to ride. He was wobbly and petrified and practically drowning the evil in holy water and garlic.
I was glancing out the window watching this group of kids as they passed with Jedi by my side, relishing in a brief interlude of childhood nostalgia.
“You see those kids? That should be you”, I said to Jedi.
“Nuh-uh, not me!”, he declined.
“Riding a bike is fun. You really need to give it a try”, I tried to enforce.
“No it’s not! Not for me!” He wasn’t giving up.
“Yes, for you, too.”
“No, not for me. I’ll fall down and get run over by a car!”
On the other hand, maybe bicycles just aren’t his thing. I suppose I shouldn’t hold my breath on skateboarding, either.
I'm Crystal. A 30-something mom to 3 young kids living in the Midwest USA. When I'm not chasing my children, I'm a freelance writer and web designer. I like to tell stories from our days and share what we enjoy...
9 Responses
on June 11 2010
Oh I feel your pain. I’m trying to get my 6-year-old to take the training wheels off but he will not allow it.
Cathy’s latest post: Kids Are Expensive
on June 11th, 2010
@Cathy, Mine won’t even ride WITH the training wheels.
on June 11 2010
I am writing a post at the moment for a theme next week on compassion and have decided to write about treading that fine line between encouraging your children to do things versus knowing when to do so is a step too far. It is a hard line to define I feel, because we all need to step outside our comfort zones sometimes but then again a step too far can mean many steps backwards.
on June 11 2010
This is oddly comforting for me because I was starting to wonder if I’ve projected all my fears and worries onto my 3yo boy. He’s so cautious about so many things and rarely jumps in. I’m beginning to realize that this is his nature and there’s probably not a whole lot for me to do to change it.
on June 12 2010
I have a 3yo daughter who will do anything and try anything including bike riding. However, my 6yo is totally the opposite. He still rides his bike with training wheels and refuses to even try to remove them. He loves his Star Wars bike and couldn’t care less that all his buddies can ride a two wheeler and have for years. Should I push him to do it? I don’t think so – if he’s happy then he shouldn’t have to care what other people think or do.
Maria @BOREDmommy’s latest post: Greater Than What Now?
on June 12th, 2010
@Maria @BOREDmommy, My 2 boys are the same. My 6yo never wants to try anything new, while my 4yo is willing to try anything (for the most part). I’ve tried to change each to be a little more like the other, but it doesn’t work. It’s just who they are.
on June 12 2010
Don’t have a lot to offer, except to say let it go and perhaps it will come when he’s ready. At least that’s been our approach whenever our oldest refuses to try something. Generally speaking he’ll find his way back when he’s ready, and if not I just let it go.
Christine LaRocque’s latest post: Possibly
on June 14 2010
My sister encouraged me to ride my bike. Even after I crashed into the mailbox, I was still determined to follow in her footsteps.
Amber’s latest post: Insanity Is My Middle Name
on June 14th, 2010
@Amber, For that reason alone, maybe I should have made sure Jedi had an older sibling.