Riding Bikes
Sophia and Phoebe both learned to ride their bikes without training wheels. It was awesome for both of them. Sophia had become risk adverse and was horrified of the idea of riding her bike. As presents on birthday and Christmas she had collected pads for knees and elbows, gloves, and a helmet. Even with all that gear she was horrified of the idea of riding her bike. As a dad this puts you into a weird situation. You know she'll have a blast riding her bike but any mention of riding without training wheels turned into a fits of fearful tears. I don't know if it was the best decision but I decided that she was going to ride her bike, tears or not. I knew she could ride as she would pedal as I jogged beside her until she panicked. I clearly explained what I was going to do. I would push her and then let go, and she would ride her bike. Regardless of her protests she would ride and she would do a wonderful job riding her bike. She cried, she wailed, my heart fluttered and I wanted ...