My son finally learned to ride a bike. It wasn't an easy task and made worse by his state of mind. I could see the emotions in his face as he's tried to tackle this before. When he was 4 he tried riding a bike but lost control on an incline - too fast. He didn't fall but it spooked him and he wouldn't get on again. 7 years later and that fear multiplied. Being the "mean" mom that I am I told him we had to try again. My hubby and I tried one day and he weebled and wobbled so much that our hands were sore from holding onto the seat. He stomped off in frustration that day. Another day I tried again and could feel he was getting close because I didn't have the death grip on the seat. But I could see a mixture of fear, anger, embarrassment in his face - and I felt horrible. I was a terrible mom that couldn't even teach my kid how to ride a bike. My ex was right, I baby him too much and this is what happened. We both came in dejected and my hubby had to hear me whine later about how I know nothing and will never be able to teach my son anything.
During the ongoing weeding jobs yesterday, my son pulled out the bike on his own. After a few attempts I let him go and he rode for a few feet. These became longer and longer until he was riding around the yard alone. I'll never forget that HUGE smile. I had promised him a bike if he ever learned and he reminded me. Off we went, bought the bike and came home with a shiny blue one. He made me bring mine out which I haven't been on in over 10 years. We rode around the block; both of us beeming. Of course hubby isn't letting this go-all night he kept teasing by saying "I don't know nothing, I don't know nothing". (Jeez, can't tell him anything I swear)
One major lesson my son learned is that your actions are a direct result of your state of mind. When he kept saying I can't do this, I'm no good, I stink - that's what happened. Yesterday, he was so positive and kept saying I could do this and kept trying and he did it. I reminded him that we are capable of doing anything if we really decide we can. HEY, I TAUGHT HIM SOMETHING!
Anyway, I'm proud. Who wouldn't be after sitting alongside your son in bed as he finishes his prayers, you count the bruises on the legs, look down at the huge grin, and he whispers...
"Ma, I can ride a bike".
Now, we have to learn to swim....ugghhh...
Monday, July 13, 2009
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You should ask my oldest Stevie how she taught the rest of the family in our field out in front of our home before they turned into a cattail field. I remembering teaching her but she took over after that. good day when one accomplished a task that have been trying hard to complete. and they did it themselves. I try to still point that out to my young adults around our homestead... best darn grin I've seen when the realize it, isn't it!
ReplyDeletegreat job the both of you.
What a great day for both of you. It is a wonderful moment when the power of positive thinking is demonstrated so beautifully. Congrats to both of you.
ReplyDeleteGreat story with happy ending. I always learn something here and always feel a personal connection with my own life path. Glad your son persevered when he was ready, at his own pace. A nice reward a bike, maybe someday the two of you will be riding down the road on motorcycles.
ReplyDeletesadly I have no idea how to taught them to ride bikes. When ever I teach people stuff...anything they do is fine, is good. I remember I did away with riding in the grass for the most part because its harder to get going and its the going that keeps you upright.
ReplyDeleteBut I know my favorite part about swimming was pretending to be animals. Otters are really nice for this because they go under water and on land, and push off from the bottom back to the surface. If you go to brookfield zoo and into the swamp exhibit they have river otters in there. They have their eyes open under water and they leave a stream of bubbles after them. They go around and around usually up to the glass and back again. I would pretend I was whales and sharks too, and sometimes hippos because I would walk along the bottom. But the best was always pretending to be an otter.