My 5 year old unceremoniously ditched his training wheels a month ago. This newfound freedom has ignited an adventurous spark in him I didn’t know existed! He’s now firmly convinced that the world is his bike park – every road made especially for him to ride.
To be honest, I wasn’t sure he was ready to go solo. The training wheels were providing a sense of security and stability I felt was needed. As in, I needed it. Because the first time he climbed on a bike was the first time I realized I could no longer keep up with him! Which meant I could not be there to catch him if he fell. Watching him zip up and down the sidewalk was less harrowing with a “safety net” in place.
However, when the training wheels were removed for a quick fixit job, my son’s impatience got the best of him. He hopped on and began wobbling around the driveway. At first, I was bent over the repair and didn’t notice what he was up to. Within minutes, he had it. I finally looked up from my tools as he yelled “Look Mom!”. Immediately I panicked! I wasn’t ready! I mean, he wasn’t ready!
But actually, he was very ready, and without any help from me. He took off like a shot and didn’t even look back. My heart thumped as I watched him fly down the street! And yet, when he got to the corner, he turned around just like always and came back without incident. I began to cry tears of relief, pride and…longing.
For the first few years of our children’s lives, we are always there. We make sure they live in a bubble-padded world so that all their “firsts” are happy ones. And then there comes a time where they start to move ahead of us. It is then that our job begins to change. Instead of following them around, we can only be there before and after. Each morning now I help my little boy suit up – helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, good shoes. He hops on his bike and enters the world with confidence. Sometimes he comes back in high spirits, sometimes he hobbles home with scrapes. I patch him up with bandaids and kisses, full of advice about not going too fast or keeping his eyes on the road. Then I turn him loose again.
I’ve always felt that learning to ride a bike is a milestone for a child – a signal to the world that they are ready to take off and find their unique path! Now I know it is also a milestone for mothers – a signal to myself that it’s time to resign as Director and assume a more supporting role in my growing child’s life. And a message to both of us that as long as we’re well prepared, it’s going to be an awesome ride!
By Lauren Horsley, After living and traveling all over the world, Lauren finally settled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains where she is mom to 3. Her blog is SuperMomCentral.com.
Tags: bicycling, training wheels
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Oh my! As a first time mom I feel that ‘im not ready yet’ feeling a lot. He’s only 7 months yet I feel like hes growing WAY too fast! It brings tears to my eyes to think he will be riding a bike WITH training wheels. Let alone without!
It is going to be an awesome ride! Just a very emotional one! hehe
Thank you for posting about this milestone. My son recently started riding a bike with training wheels. We have a little time before we are ready to ditch them, but now I know what to get to entire a safe transition and happy riding.
Mine is just 2, and doesn’t even own a real trike yet, but he does have a big wheels 3-wheeler that is low enough to the ground that he can push it with his feet. He reminds me constantly that when he gets bigger we’re going to get him a bike!
I think you’re right. Once a child learns to ride without training wheels a new world is opened to them, and they gain some independence!
I remember when my daughter was eight that is when I took off the training wheels and it took her about a week to ride without them. If you could only see her smile that day.
Your son is adorable
Thanks for the post!
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What a sweet story. I’ve never thought about this milestone from a parent’s point of view only from a child’s.
My 5 year old still uses her training wheels, but I feel they are ready when they are ready. Great post!
What a great story-thanks for the post!
We’ve had a few even 4 year olds ditching the t-wheels. I’m amazed.
When my son first learned how to ride his bike, I was so amazed. He did it all on his own. No pressure from me and his dad. I recently wanted to get a bike so the entire family could become active. I love bike riding. Reminds me of my childhood. Great post.
My five year old has rickety training wheels mismatched on a vintage Schwinn Pixie. They don’t even touch the ground evenly but they give her a sense of security. One of these days we’ll get her a “real” bike and take off the training wheels altogether. But we’re not quite there yet.
very heart warming. My son is 3 and half and he wants to be the big boy and ride up and down the block. He’s too little for that.
I remember when my oldest started without training wheels. I was so proud. Then I remember the day he got behind the wheel of a car….gulp. time fly’s enjoy them while they are young. take lots of memory pic’s to last forever
Hi, I too feel like I’ve raised my son in a bubble filled world and now that we’re moving to Guatemala, I keep on saying I want to continue living in a bubble. Yes, it’s overprotective but it’s also not that bad.
My way of feeling is expressed in all of my son’s firsts. Including the bike which he now barrels down hills with into iron gates. So I just have to really bite my cheek, go in a room and pray:)
I started learning without training wheels and it helpwd me learn riding more fun.
This story was very touching as it bring back memories of my own daughter, who was five years old as well, ditched her training wheels. This was 20 years ago and I was so nervous!!!!
I look forward to when my own children can ride on only two wheels. I remember when I learned to ride w/out training wheels. What a feeling of freedom!
I still remember the day vividly when I rode for the first time without training wheels. My dad ran alongside me, holding, and then let go!! I still remember that feeling of almost flying by myself. I also remember my dad crying then. He also cried the day he dropped me off at college. So I guess it really is a milestone for parents…