My girl spent the whole of last Summer trying to ride without stabilisers and just never quite got the hang of it, leading to several cuts and bruises, tears of frustration and more than a few stormy moments about the utter stupidity of people who invented bikes in the first place.
She’s not mentioned the bike for ages, using her scooter to get around instead, but when the sun popped out last Saturday, the Husband took the opportunity to get all the bikes out of the shed, check them for punctures, tune them up and do whatever else one does with bikes that have been sitting in a damp shed over the winter. Unfortunately this doesn’t seem to include stretching the wheels and frames to match the winter growth spurts – I suspect Halfords will be making quite a bit out of us this year!
‘Will you take me to the park with my bike Mum, Just me and you?’
I must admit my heart sank just a little at this, remembering how hard she had tried last year and how upset she’d got with herself when she couldn’t quite master it. But she was insistent, so off we went, with me fully expecting her to ditch the bike after ten minutes and find some friends to play with instead. I even picked up my paper on the way, thinking I’d have time for a sneaky read while she was chasing monsters through Death Valley with her mates!
No chance. This time round, she’d decided she was NOT leaving the park, unless it was on two wheels. Ninety minutes we were there, starting her off over and over again, only for her to wobble to a stop, or fall off, or at one point crash impressively into a rubbish bin. Ninety minutes of sheer concentration, determination, and refusal to give in – that’s a long time for a six year old! I was so in awe of her, and so proud of her for trying so hard, that a few times I might have had a tear in my eye. Or early hay fever, who knows.
It paid off though! Something seemed to click and suddenly I could see she was right on the cusp of getting it. I think she could see it too – even though she was flagging a bit by this point she seemed to get a burst of energy and confidence and then, hey presto, she was off! Which seemed to coincide with a bit more hay fever on my part….
I’m so proud of my girl x
I’m linking up with the fab Countrykids at Coombe Mill – head on over for an absolute treasure trove of ideas for getting out and about with the kids!
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Awww well done bless her!! It can be a bit tricky but once they learn they never forget. The world is her oyster now xx
Sonia recently posted…Things are never as bad as they seem…
Indeed it is, there’ll be no stopping her now!
LearnerMother recently posted…Wheels!
Brilliant!!! Well done! We had the same last summer. My daughter was 5 and my son 3…unfortunately my son got it and my daughter didn’t. Eek. So, this year we have been keen to get our little girl back out…trying to give her the confidence that our son doesn’t lack! And, last weekend, she did it too…riding round and round the estate with a look of joy on her face. Hurrah!
Vicki – The Free From Fairy recently posted…Gluten-free, Dairy-free Lemon Curd
Ah brilliant, so glad she’s got it! We’ve had similar issues with my biggest boy being overtaken in reading by his sister, two years younger. Tricky…Hope you have a summer full of biking fun!
LearnerMother recently posted…Wheels!
Yay well done! That is such a huge achievement for any child but for her to be so determined for 90 minutes shows how much she wanted to do it! Well done x #blogclub
Kirsty Hijacked By Twins recently posted…Word of the Week – Attachment
I know – I was amazed by how long she kept at it, my little tryer!
LearnerMother recently posted…Wheels!
It just clicks. One day they don’t seem to get it and the next they are off. I remember our eldest spent ages trying to learn and then she seemed to be off. The other two did it all by themselves. I think I got off lightly. Not too much running after them. Hope you had a chance to read your paper later on! #CountryKids
Cheryl recently posted…So the sowing begins
As per usual I did get a chance eventually – on about Wednesday!
LearnerMother recently posted…Wheels!
Oh definitely a hay fever moment there. Well done to your little girl x
Anne recently posted…The Beginning of Spring
Thank you 🙂
LearnerMother recently posted…Wheels!
I’m such a sensitive soul and this post has brought tears to my eyes. What a wonderful young woman she is – so determined, brave and positive – determined to reach her goal and she did. You must be so proud.
Pinkoddy recently posted…Tree Fu Tom Ranger Utility Belt
I was – and I still am!
LearnerMother recently posted…Wheels!
I don’t know how to bike =(
That’s my spring must do plan to learn it and I am so not going to give up cuz a 6 year old girl did not =)
Thanks for posting this =)
#countrykids
Merlinda Little (@pixiedusk) recently posted…Saturday is Let’s Play Caption Day
Good for you, hope you have fun learning!
LearnerMother recently posted…Wheels!
Fantastic, well done!! What a wonderful achievement, and milestone! #CountryKids
Mama Owl recently posted…Enjoy it while it lasts. #CountryKids
My son currently wants to sell his bike he has lost his confidence.. my fault for not encouraging him over winter.. He does seem OK once he gets on it though! Well done to your girl on perserverance
Becky Willoughby (@LakesSingleMum) recently posted…#CountryKids 3 Castles 1 Day!
Hopefully the weather will be more cycle friendly and he can get going on it again soon 🙂
LearnerMother recently posted…Wheels!
Well done that girl on wheels! Sounds as though she’s made of plucky stuff. I don’t know at what age they normally cycle (mine are nowhere near, at 4 and 2), but 6 sounds pretty young.
Nell@PigeonPairandMe.com recently posted…Micro Scooters: what you need to know
Well done!! Learning to ride without stabilisers is such a night step – great job!
Vicky (@aroundandupsidedown) recently posted…Mothers Day Gift Guide: All the Tea and China