She DID it!!!! (bike lessons)

[clutter]

You all probably don't remember that about a year ago, I tried to sub-contract out teaching my dd to ride a two-wheeler. (oh, yeah, you all had suggestions, but no one stepped up to the plate.) She was ready, I was chicken. It seemed that learning would involve 1) her falling and 2) me having to run. I don't know which I was more reluctant to face.

Well, our local bike shop guy taught us another way! Sit on the bike. Walk it, alternating feet, while seated. Then do "leap frog" steps (feet together). Start small, then get bigger until you're gliding. Then put your feet on the pedals.

It worked!!! In one evening, she got to riding and turning and stopping! (and I didn't have to do much more than grin wildly and put thumbs up in the air!!!)

I've got the world's happiest almost-7-year-old.

 

[Serena]

yay!!!!!!

 

[clh2]

We got lucky on this one - we were at my BIL and SIL's house, and my DD just got that itch that she had to do it. (Probably helped that all cousins were on 2-wheelers!) My BIL worked with her for about 10 minutes - and presto - she was riding a 2-wheeler. To this day, I don't know what specific method he used - and nor do I care!

A different SIL asked me a few years later how we got DD on -wheels, and I said she went to "Uncle Jim's Riding School!"

I like this way too! Sounds really easy!

 

[browneyes]

Congrats to your little girl.

 

[KimRaye]

Ooooh, thanks! I'm gonna have to try that with my 6yoDD. Congrats to your DD!!!

 

[nativetxn]

Woo hoo!!!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

That's cool! Always nice seeing the kids learn new things, challenges. Nce.

 

[jenjenmouse]

Oh that sounds great. My dd is almost seven too and we'll try that this weekend. I hope it works for her too. Congratulations to your dd

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Our DD didn't learn until she was 10. She had tried a few times before but took some nasty falls. Anyway, what finally worked for us was having her use her little brother's bike which was quite a bit smaller so she could easily stop by just putting her feet on the ground. We have a driveway with a slight incline so she would just keep rolling down the driveway without even trying to peddle until she learned how to maintain her balance. Once she had that down, everything else fell into place. She was so proud of herself for not giving up! I was standing on the sidewalk blubbering like a fool...

 

[pirateofthecarolinas]

Now come to NC and teach my DD7!

Lori

 

[Cindy B]

My daughter just started riding her two wheeler on Saturday.. her teacher... her brother!

She knew the mechanics of it but was too scared. My son got on his bike, and then she did.. and followed him!

 

[Freyja]

I remember DH calling me one night when I was away on a trip and sayig that he had tried to teach DD 4 to ride her bike. I asked him how it went and he told be that he hadn´t been able to teach her. My answer:"Duh, she´s 4 years old!!!

It turned out though, that she just sat on the bike and rode off. Needless to say, she has always believed she can do anything she wants, this time she really proved it!

 

[esmerelda51]

This reminds me of a very true story about my father. He had taught both my brother and me how to ride bikes when we were about 7 years old ,first my brother then me. We would mount an old tree stump then he would push us a bit then let go but still run alongside. We both learned very quickly and spent many hours of our youth riding our bikes around the countryside.

Fast forward to about 10 years ago. My dad is in his late 60's and he and my mother have retired to Fl. They go to flea markets every weekend and finally decide to buy some bikes for exercise. I come down soon after and off we go for a ride. The ride is fine for a little distance then my father falls off. Not hurt . That is when I learned the dark family secret----My father has never ridden a bike in his life.!!!! What trust we have in our parents. He has now left us and this is still one of the best memories!!!!

 

[peg2001]

Congrats!! You don't know how much better this thread has made me feel. DD7 still has training wheels and I've been feeling like such a parenting failure for not having taught her to ride, especially when I see the little neighboring 4-yo riding around like a madman.

Maybe we'll give it a try with this method. Thanks so much for sharing!

Peggy

 

[ckmommy]

Just starting to teach DD--5 how to ride a 2-wheeler this weekend. I am having a hard time running (being pregnant) to stay with her. My DH's back lasts about 3x down the block, then it is my turn. I think we will try ypur 'bike guy's' method starting tonight!

 

[elgerber]

Originally posted by peg2001
Congrats!! You don't know how much better this thread has made me feel. DD7 still has training wheels and I've been feeling like such a parenting failure for not having taught her to ride, especially when I see the little neighboring 4-yo riding around like a madman.

Maybe we'll give it a try with this method. Thanks so much for sharing!

Peggy

You're doing better than me Peggy. My dd turned 8 in January, and won't even try to learn to ride hers.

Erika

 

[cgcw]

Congratulations to your DD.

My DS4 just learned a couple of weeks ago. He was very determined and even took his own training wheels off. Got on and off he went.

Next thing to come will be learning to swing without being pushed. They certainly grow up fast.