I did something today that I have wanted to do ever since I knew I wanted children.
It started a week ago when I took my son’s training wheels off his bike. We did a little riding across the lawn last Sunday. We did this so my son would accept the fact that if he fell, he would be ok. Even though he had his helmet and his (at his insistence) elbow pads and knee pads.
After about 25 minutes of back and forth rides across the lawn while I held the back seat and ran along side of him (and secretly not holding on of course) my son got tired and a little nervous and wanted to stop.
Today during the car ride home from my daughter’s ballet class I said to him “Ok, pal. Today after lunch we are putting your bike and your helmet in the trunk and heading to your school. Before we leave your school, you will be a bike rider. I know you can do this. Do YOU know you can do this?”. . . a timid “yes” came from the back seat.
So, we had lunch, had another little pep talk and off to the school yard we went.
After a few trips across the school yard with me running alongside him (and a few falls that were of course considered to be the temporary END of the world), what you see below are the going away and returning videos of my son’s VERY FIRST unassisted bike ride!
The width of the parking lot he rode (out and back) is a total of about 220 yards.
The videos are grainy – they are from my camera - sorry. I was more concerned with teaching him to ride than bringing my digital video camera.
All I know is I taught one of my children how to ride a bike and I have wanted to do that for a VERY long time!!!!
Way to go, Santino!!!!!! I am SO proud of you!
Hannah said she wants to start trying next weekend. I’m not sure my heart can take it.
I LOVE being a Dad.