Giving up training wheels

[tiggerlover]

How old was your child when he or she was ready to give up the training wheels on their bikes?

We started working with DS when he was 5 and he was deathly afraid of falling off, so he made us put the training wheels back on. Finally we agreed to have them raised a little, but DS decided he didn't like this either so he started riding his scooter and left the bike alone. DS is now 6 and he finally let us take the training wheels off his bike today and in no time he was riding like it was no big deal.

 

[cgcw]

Usually, around us the kids usually get the hang of it the summer before the start of kindergarden. We usually know when they'll be off to big kid school in the fall when we see Mom or Dad running after the bike, giving them that extra boost.

We tried many times with our oldest DS, he was very determined to do it when he was 4 but just wasn't ready. It's such satisfaction when they finally get it, isn't it!

 

[CamColt]

Congratulations to your DS! Its so fun to see them accomplish something like this, isnt it?

We were very similar to you. Last summer when DS was 5, we took the training wheels off. His friend who was the same age had his off and was able to ride like a pro in 2 minutes. So, when his came off and he had some trouble, he didnt want to do it. He was convinced he couldnt do it and he just didnt want to try. He rode very little for the rest of the summer. So we tried again a couple weeks ago(hes now 6). After about 2 days of trying he finally got it and can do pretty well now.

 

[AngieBelle]

I was slow- I got a bike for my 5th birthday, but didn't lose the training wheels until I was 8! I was scared to ride without them.

 

[tiggerlover]

I'm glad to see that DS is not alone. Thanks.

 

[wdwnutze]

Just got 4 1/2yo dd a bike last week with training wheels. Maybe by the end of the summer we will be able to take off the training wheels(providing we don't have snow all summer and she can practice). My son was just about 5 when he went without and my other dd was about 6.

 

[Cindy B]

We just took offf our daughters this weekend. (She's 5). She wants us to put them back on, but my DH told her, that once they come off they don't come back on!


Seh begged and begged to take them off.

 

[Dizzy-Disney4]

OK, DS (9) has had the hardest time learning how to ride. We never had an area for him to practice a lot till we moved to the neighborhood we live in now. His training wheels came off three weeks ago when the neighborhood kids taught him how to ride without them.

 

[Mskanga]

My oldest was almost 7 when we finally took them off , she was scared to death.
My youngest was a month shy from 5 yrs old and said she did not want them anymore so dh took them off while I was working, I came back home from work , saw her ride the bike and I almost had a heartattack but she did fine.
Just last week she went from a 16" bike to a 20". She just turns 6 today but she's tall , she's riding it like a charm.
Congrats on your DS's accomplishment Debbi, they grow up fast, don't they?

 

[snoopy]

I think it all depends on how much of a daredevil your child is. My oldest was 6 when we took off his training wheels, and then he was a bit scared, but he eventually learned. However, my youngest son is very athletic, and also one of those kids who will try anything and doesn't care if he gets hurt (which has been a worry to me since he was born, trust me!). He is 4 and we asked us to take off the training wheels this past month, I was skeptical but DH did it anyway, and he took to it immediately.

 

[padams]

DS 7 rode without training wheels at 5. Younger DS is now 5 1/2 and doesn't want his training wheels off even though he has some friends riding without them. I admit that I encouraged my older son to take off his training wheels, now with the second child, I am in no hurry. When he's ready, he'll let us know.

 

[aprincessmom]

Just last month -- DD is 7.

We tried when she was 5 and she didnt' like it. Tried when she was 6 and she still wasn't going for it.

Last month one of her friends came over with a younger sister. Didn't bother DD that the friend -- also 7 -- rode without. But her friend's sister, age 4, was without them and it just struck a chord.

DD demanded the training wheels be removed (like I was the one forcing her to have them on). Within 20 minutes she was riding a two-wheeler like a pro.

 

[Towncrier]

Riding a bike with training wheels is much harder than without (unless you are going in a straight line). We had a heck of a time convincing DD Sarah to give them up. She too was deathly afraid of falling. We have a gently sloping grass covered hill behind our house and eventually that's where she learned. In about a week. Without the training wheels. She was 9yo.

I told her that I would buy her an American Girl doll after she learned to ride her bike. It's truly amazing what a child can do when properly incentivized. It just took me three years to find the right incentive.

 

[Mishetta]

Another milestone! Congratulations!

My DS was 6 but not because he didn't want to try riding without training wheels before then, it was me holding him back! I just kept picturing a broken arm or nose! Now I'm sweating it out with his rollerblades! He's teaching himself since I never skated on anything. I put whatever type of guards he can wear from head to toe & then I go inside since I can't watch!

Imagine when they start to drive! (I won't live through that!)

 

[jimmytammy]

Congrats to your DS. Both of our children DS & DD had a hard time. We took them off one year and had to put them back on, then the next year they were ready to have them off. After they came off that next year, within the day they were riding.

Now my DS scares me so much, he loves the hills and ditches.