In October of last year, at 6 years old Natalie finally learned how to ride without training wheels on her "small" bike. With her growing like a weed and my brother and his children moving here late last year, we passed her small bike to her cousin Indi to enjoy. Natalie became quite fearful and pretty much lost all confidence upon moving up to a larger bike (even though it was the right size for her). We didn't see this coming. It became especially apparent to us on Christmas day when all her cousins got bikes for Christmas. We had taken the kid's bikes over to Jonathan's parents house that day so we could all go on a walk/bike ride with our family when we were met with an overwhelmed, frightened little girl who was REALLY upset and just wished she could have training wheels again. The fact that her brother and all her cousins were riding around with training wheels didn't help our drama queen on that day either..... but fast forward through four months of wishing she had her smaller bike back, occasionally riding Joseph's bike, being a speed demon on our rugged little tykes tricycle, requesting her small bike back, riding IT again without training wheels, though finding it was too small for her long legs.... to her suddenly (last night) getting on her big bike and riding it like a pro. She was especially excited and exclaimed, "now I can take Lovey (her pet deer) on bike rides," as her big bike has for these past 4 months sported the bike basket we gifted her with at Christmas. We are very excited for her and her regained confidence! No longer is she letting the "bigger" bike intimidate her like she has for so long. In these last couple years I've spent a lot of time relaxing on the front steps of our house while watching the kids ride bikes and it is most definitely a favorite past time of mine. I think it's time to reminisce and go find some pictures of a younger Natalie on her little bike to add to this post!
Comments (1)
GO NATALIE! Jackson has been going through the same thing.We put training wheels back on his bike,and he still won't ride on it.Maybe it will just take him some time too...I'll make sure to read this to him tomorrow :).Maybe it will encourage him!
Tam~I can not get over how much older Natalie looks in this picture,and just like you too! Seriously,she looks like shes a little lady in this photo! SO SWEET!
Love you guys! A.LOT.!