Foxboy (7yo) is now a bike riding fool!
A week ago, he cried, shouted mean things, threw his helmet on the ground, and took a swing at me while he was sitting on his bike
Backing up to two weeks ago: Foxboy decided he was ready to ride a bike. He was insistent that launching from the driveway toward the yard was the best way to learn. He went that route against my advice and crashed real nice. Some of the neighborhood children were around to witness this spectacular event, so he sustained injury to both body and pride
Fair enough. These things happen. No serious injury, but he was really reluctant to try again
For the week following, we spoke of the value in facing one's fears, the value of riding a bike, the understanding that we sometimes receive injury as part of living, and risk management strategies
A week ago, after a week of only talking about these things, he was ready to try again... until he wasn't. Just looking at his bike produced a round of tears. What's a papa to do? As much as it hurts my heart to see him react this way to his bike, I know I'd regret it so much more if I don't teach him to deal with his fear
Reluctantly, I played a card that usually doesn't come out - I told him he needed to do it, and I would help him. The plan was simply to get him through the fear. Sit on the seat until the panic subsides
We walked out together and I could see the resolve waiver in his eyes. There was a large part of me that didn't want him to endure it. As many parents understand, pain in his heart is pain in mine. The surge of emotion was palpable, and tears nearly welled in my eyes (of course he didn't see or know that, haha). Together, we went over the plan again:
1. Sit on the bike
That was literally the entire plan
Shakily, he started getting on the bike. It was like slow motion. He was so scared he was shivering, and he started bawling as soon as his cheeks met the seat
All I wanted to do in the world was hug him and hold him tight, so I did
He kept crying then started wailing "I DON'T WANT TOOOOoooo" between sobs
He took off his helmet, through it on the ground, and released a primal scream into the evening
He took a swing at me
He told me he hated this
and I just kept hugging him and holding him
One of the neighbors going by stopped to make sure everything was alright. After a few sucking sobs, he was calm enough to say that he was ok.... and that changed something inside him
The crying ceased as he reached out and white-knuckled the handle bar grips. Quietly, but with firm resolve, he said "OK. I'm ready"
Now, to remind you of the plan, I'll repeat it here
Sit on the bikeStill hugging him, and unsure of what he meant, I asked him what he was ready for
His eyes glazed over for what felt like an eternity. It was probably more like ten seconds
Oh yeah. I thought you were going to throw me forward as hard as you could and I would crash into a mailbox. I forgot I was just trying to see if I could sit here
-foxboy
Fear drives a brain to strange places I guess? Not only was that nowhere near the plan, I haven't been strong enough to throw him in years
Bewilderment quickly melted to pride as he reached out and hugged me back, saying "thank you" ever so quietly as he buried his face in my chest. OMG I felt so special
"Well, now what do I do Papa?"
"Have fun, buddy. Walk it around a little. See how it feels"
That was the day he started pushing himself around on his bike. No pedaling, he wasn't comfortable picking his feet up, but that's all fine by me. When he went to bed, I removed the pedals from his bicycle. A few more days scooting and he was really going some pretty long distances with his feet up. By the following weekend, he was pedaling himself around the block! He was having a lot of fun with it
From the ActiveForLive website
On his way by, the neighbor kid asked if they could ride his bike. This kid was riding around a lot on their own bike recently. Turns out, it was broken. To which my son immediately replies "My dad can fix it. He can fix anything"
haha! I love that he has that perception of me. In fairness, between his uncle and myself, we can fix anything :P
Two wheels was life for me as both a child and adult. Anything with two wheels: motorcycles, bicycles, scooters, mopeds, dirt bikes, sport bikes
That was my jam
So, yes, I wound up repairing a few bicycles. It was hard, it took forever compared to what I used to do, I had to get some help, I spent a week in pain with very little grip strength... and it was awesome! Completely worth it
Since that day, he asks every day to go ride bikes with his friends
Just stay in the neighborhood, buddy :)
My heart can't smile any harder
Y'all have good