Bike riding part 2
The day after the last post, Andrew was able to ride for about 3 feet at a time before losing control & jumping off or me holding his seat or handle bar. I had been letting go a few seconds at a time without him knowing, and then suddenly he told me to let go and he went about 15 feet before jumping off. He was totally ecstatic. I told him how proud I was of him & gave him a huge hug & kisses. He was motivated to continue doing more rides before we all got tired and too hot (it was about 90 degrees outside).
Below a tree, Gillian sat perched on her bike with the training wheels keeping her stable. She seemed impatient that I wasn’t paying attention to her at the time, but she was happy for her brother, nonetheless. After we were done, the kids had popsicles & I allowed them to watch some TV & play Wii for an hour.
The next day she told me that she had a dream about biking. Her dream was that she was with her best friend Talia doing a sleep over & she started riding the bike without training wheels and the bike started flying! (I’m guessing similar to the kids in E.T.). She loved her dream and was so happy. I love it when the kids have good dreams.
Andrew didn’t try riding again for a few days though & I didn’t make him do it either. This week I reminded him that he needs to practice and it will get easier. Plus I told him I would get him something he wants once he has mastered it. I think the bribe helped. We’ve been practicing each morning, Monday through Thursday (Friday we skipped due to the Kindergarten Meet & Greet at 9am)
As of today, he hasn’t learned how to turn around, but he is now able to go about 50 feet without falling or jumping off. He still struggles with getting started and needs me to hold him for a second as he starts up. He is getting the hang of it gradually.
Gillian is now really excited to get her training wheels off too. She asked me to take them off completely, but I was hesitant. I told her I would lift them so she could have them just in case. I explained that once Andrew was done learning, I could take hers off. I adjusted them on Tuesday and she is seeing the difference. She is really getting bored waiting around for me to go up and down the block with Andrew though. I have been taking turns with her her one-on-one, but she has been bored and not wanting to do it. I think next try will have to be taking her training wheels off and will consequently get her interested again. I guess she is ready too. One thing I’ve learned while parenting is that if my children seem interested in something constructive, I have to take advantage quickly before the interest dissipates and becomes a missed opportunity. I should’ve remembered this earlier and taken Gillian’s word for it that she was ready to take her wheels off. I guess I just was cautious because I hadn’t taught Andrew just yet and wasn’t sure how I could teach both at the same time. I think I can do it now that Andrew has gained some ground.
School starts in 2 days. I guess we will have to do bike riding after school now. The kids will be going to the same school finally. Gillian will be in starting Kindergarten & Andrew starting 2nd grade. Both will be riding the bus on the first day too. More milestones ahead!
Below a tree, Gillian sat perched on her bike with the training wheels keeping her stable. She seemed impatient that I wasn’t paying attention to her at the time, but she was happy for her brother, nonetheless. After we were done, the kids had popsicles & I allowed them to watch some TV & play Wii for an hour.
The next day she told me that she had a dream about biking. Her dream was that she was with her best friend Talia doing a sleep over & she started riding the bike without training wheels and the bike started flying! (I’m guessing similar to the kids in E.T.). She loved her dream and was so happy. I love it when the kids have good dreams.
Andrew didn’t try riding again for a few days though & I didn’t make him do it either. This week I reminded him that he needs to practice and it will get easier. Plus I told him I would get him something he wants once he has mastered it. I think the bribe helped. We’ve been practicing each morning, Monday through Thursday (Friday we skipped due to the Kindergarten Meet & Greet at 9am)
As of today, he hasn’t learned how to turn around, but he is now able to go about 50 feet without falling or jumping off. He still struggles with getting started and needs me to hold him for a second as he starts up. He is getting the hang of it gradually.
Gillian is now really excited to get her training wheels off too. She asked me to take them off completely, but I was hesitant. I told her I would lift them so she could have them just in case. I explained that once Andrew was done learning, I could take hers off. I adjusted them on Tuesday and she is seeing the difference. She is really getting bored waiting around for me to go up and down the block with Andrew though. I have been taking turns with her her one-on-one, but she has been bored and not wanting to do it. I think next try will have to be taking her training wheels off and will consequently get her interested again. I guess she is ready too. One thing I’ve learned while parenting is that if my children seem interested in something constructive, I have to take advantage quickly before the interest dissipates and becomes a missed opportunity. I should’ve remembered this earlier and taken Gillian’s word for it that she was ready to take her wheels off. I guess I just was cautious because I hadn’t taught Andrew just yet and wasn’t sure how I could teach both at the same time. I think I can do it now that Andrew has gained some ground.
School starts in 2 days. I guess we will have to do bike riding after school now. The kids will be going to the same school finally. Gillian will be in starting Kindergarten & Andrew starting 2nd grade. Both will be riding the bus on the first day too. More milestones ahead!