(no subject)
We got the girl a serious, real, bike for he upcoming birthday. This is no kids bike. It's made for small adults and we had the seat changed and lowered so she could touch the ground. Our bike guy recommended it saying it would last her well into her teen years.
She was riding on our quiet street and getting bored going back and forth. Normally I would grab the babe and jump on my bike and go with her, but I decided to loosen the apron strings a little. I suggested that she ride away from the house, out of sight of the house a couple of blocks and then return, learning the landmarks of the area and exploring her surroundings in a new way.
I tried not to think of the child riding a bike abduction story I'd heard years ago...
She rode off and I played with the babe, waiting patiently for her return. It was really taking her a long time, a lot longer than I thought it should and I started getting nervous...should I get in the car or on the bike...did she go where I thought she was going or did she try to branch out more? Where is that girl?
Finally, I saw her coming down the hill, distressed, not pedaling the bike at all. Her shoelace had come undone and tangled the chain and she ran into a parked car. She had a non-bloody scrape on one hand and the chain was loose so she thought she wrecked her new, much-loved bike. She was crying, I was just relieved to have her within sight again.
I looked at her hand, fixed the chain and made her test it out immediately. She looked unsure, but then she was riding again as if nothing had happened and I again suggested she ride a couple of blocks away.
I didn't want her to. I wanted to tie those apron strings in a double knot because I so fear losing her, but she is capable and I trust her. I have to give her the chance to go and explore and discover. She did, as I watched for her nervously and waited with pretend patience, and she came back happy and pleased with herself.
I think I'll be giving her the phone though, just in case.
She was riding on our quiet street and getting bored going back and forth. Normally I would grab the babe and jump on my bike and go with her, but I decided to loosen the apron strings a little. I suggested that she ride away from the house, out of sight of the house a couple of blocks and then return, learning the landmarks of the area and exploring her surroundings in a new way.
I tried not to think of the child riding a bike abduction story I'd heard years ago...
She rode off and I played with the babe, waiting patiently for her return. It was really taking her a long time, a lot longer than I thought it should and I started getting nervous...should I get in the car or on the bike...did she go where I thought she was going or did she try to branch out more? Where is that girl?
Finally, I saw her coming down the hill, distressed, not pedaling the bike at all. Her shoelace had come undone and tangled the chain and she ran into a parked car. She had a non-bloody scrape on one hand and the chain was loose so she thought she wrecked her new, much-loved bike. She was crying, I was just relieved to have her within sight again.
I looked at her hand, fixed the chain and made her test it out immediately. She looked unsure, but then she was riding again as if nothing had happened and I again suggested she ride a couple of blocks away.
I didn't want her to. I wanted to tie those apron strings in a double knot because I so fear losing her, but she is capable and I trust her. I have to give her the chance to go and explore and discover. She did, as I watched for her nervously and waited with pretend patience, and she came back happy and pleased with herself.
I think I'll be giving her the phone though, just in case.