His enthusiasm and confidence shattered in one fell balance shifting swoop. I, too, was shattered. “We’ve stopped before we even started,” I thought to myself. What do we need? More time? Stronger coercion? My brother, having heard our tale of cycling woes, happened upon what seemed to offer at least an alternative to our current “training” situation. He sent me a link to the Strider Bike. The concept immediately made sense to me, ditch the training wheels, and learn balance first, before pedaling. Would our now bicycle timid little boy swing a leg over it and give it a try? It took some coaxing, but with each family walk, he was going faster and faster. He was learning that trying new things wasn’t so bad after all. He was becoming brave.
Grandpa didn’t quite understand the concept of no pedals. “What’s the point,” he would grumble. After our son got “up to speed” and confident, making us all run after him, Grandpa was singing a different tune. ”How else would you go on a walk with a 4-year-old and not have to wait for them or push them around,” he would exclaim. Letting your opinion take a 180° turn around is also being brave! Our 22-month-old daughter had been walking for about a year but hadn’t yet tried her pink Strider Bike. Suddenly, following her big brother’s example, she jumped right on and strode all around our deck and house. She was enthusiastic about her new mobility, just like her big brother.
