Riding a Bike

Somehow, I missed the memo to teach your child to ride a bike when they're 4. Apparently, it's completely possible. However, when I see others in the neighborhood going into 4th grade with training wheels, I figured I wasn't behind the curve with this. Heck, you barely see kids out riding at all...

I did, however, think that it was time Ellie learned. I didn't really care if it was something she particularly wanted to learn -- I just think everyone should be able to ride a bike. We got her a new bike last year because she'd outgrown her last bike, and the size she needed didn't even allow training wheels. We were stuck learning how to do this, and I was determined that this is the summer to do it.

Last summer, I picked up a bar at Target called a Balance Buddy -- it's reminiscent of the high bar that was on the back of the old banana seat bikes when I was a kid. I got it out a few weeks back and began to put it on Ellie's bike. Ellie was looking at the marketing blurbs on the cardboard that came with it, and said something like, "Am I going to be able to ride in 15 minutes?" as that's what the marketing said. We talked about marketing, and I said she probably wouldn't be able to that quickly. Took the bike out, and sure enough, by the end of the "session," Ellie had pedaled about 10 ft. independently. Heck, I don't even think she cried! We then didn't ride for a while but got the bike out this past weekend.

Weekend snapshot: Eric -- clothes soaked, running tirelessly behind that bike, giving Ellie pointers. Lauren -- pedaling along on her Disney Princess bike with training wheels, patiently waiting for her turn with the Balance Buddy. Erin -- helmet on her little head as she's riding her big wheel with legs up in the air, enjoying the slope of the court as it makes her travel really fast. Me -- trying to make sure Erin doesn't tip over and crack her head open and Lauren doesn't get hit by a car. Ellie -- crying, yelling, stomping.

Ellie, perfectionist that she is, has convinced herself that after trying for 2 times, she'll never be able to ride a bike. There's no telling her otherwise. Now I must add that I gave her an incentive at the beginning of the summer -- learn how to ride your bike, and I'll buy you the American Girl doll that you want. See, Ellie has so much natural ability that she's yet to really have to work hard to accomplish something. I knew bike riding wouldn't be exceptionally easy for her, and I want her to learn the value of working hard at something and achieving it.

I'd go in to change Erin's diaper, Ellie and Eric come in arguing. Helmet is tossed. They're arguing. I'm refereeing. Or maybe I was out with her, in which case Eric becomes the object of the vents and frustration. It was not particularly fun.

So last night, Eric takes her out and she pedals from one end of the court to the other with extremely minimal help from Eric. I was so excited for her! (Of course, I think she was pretty excited too, but true to form, she didn't let on.) And, of course, she wanted me to immediately order up an American Girl doll, except I reminder her that the deal was pedaling in a loop around the court alone, without someone running behind her -- a real, honest-to-goodness bike ride. She's not there yet, but I bet I'll be $100 poorer in the next week or so. Go Ellie! I always knew you could do it.