Thursday, June 3, 2010

The Tale of Solomon & the Bike......


Our oldest son Solomon is very much like me. He does things in his time, with a bit of a stubborn streak. He is going to be 8 years old mid-June, and Peter & I have tried for 3 years to teach him how to ride a two wheeler. We have been completely unsuccessful. It has caused many fights & tears, and this year I decided it just isn't worth it. I have given my resignation as a bike trainer, and completely shut my mouth. I contemplated not even buying him a bike this year (we sold his old one in Colorado), but in April we found a bike without training wheels for $7 at a resale shop. WE took the bike home, stuck it on our front porch and Peter & I didn't talk about it. One of the tires needed to be pumped up, and we didn't have a pump. So it sat for a week. I think the anticipation was building for Solomon, because as soon as the bike was ready he jumped on.

Over the time period of three weeks, Solomon taught himself how to ride a bike. In fact, my birthday present from him this year was watching him riding his bike without falling! It was amazing! And so good to see the look of accomplishment on his face- it was priceless. He is now mastering the skill of braking, and not going so far down the block that I can't see him. Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries- once they start, they don't stop.

Now I am praying that teaching him to drive a car doesn't take 3 years. It's a good thing he is only 8.

1 comment:

  1. Great job Solomon!!! Don't worry...I will teach him to drive :)

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