Papa Wheels
The grandparents bought a bike for Damien to ride on, so when they took him out to the back ally to ride on I went and got the camera. When I got outside Damien and Sergey were already coming back into the back yard.
Grandma was following them looking disseminated. She said that Damien did not really try and that he gave up too fast. I looked around at what a nice day it was, and the nice bike they bought, and at Damien happy and having a good time, then I decided he is getting his butt on that bike right now.
Damien was taking his cloth off while Sergey went for a dip in the pool.
Sergey in mini pool with pienis cropped out, for modesty
But I soon convinced Damien he should put his cloths back on and practice riding the bike.
Parenting Tip: How to form a compelling and logical argument to convince you child to do what you want.
Me : Damien it’s time to get your cloths on and ride your bike.
Damien: But I wanna go in the pool.
Me: You are going to because it is a great day to ride your bike.
Damien: But I don’t want to.
Me: You are going to do it.
Damien: But why?
Me: Because I said so, and I am the Papa.
See what I did there with my two pronged argument.
“Because I said so“, which is 100% true, I did say it, and “I am the Papa“, also 100% true.
The reason it works is because Damien knows that I when I start to say certain phrases like the ones above that I will drag his but over there and make him do it if I have to.
Parenting Tip: Sometime you have to be the taskmaster, but go back to being their buddy as soon as possible.
The tendency for me is that once I get mad, and go into Taskmaster Mode, that I stay there too long, and everything starts to fall apart. I find it is best to lay down the law, then embrace the child (literally), and move on as if nothing had happened. Kids are smart, they know when they have done wrong, any corrective action should be short and sweet.
So in no time were out in the alley and Damien was riding his bike, with Grandma holding him up.
Grandma helping Damien ride a bike in alley
I took a turn holding him up, and what I realized was that to help Damien the most, I needed to do the least effort I could, be there to catch him before he falls not there to push him along or steer him in the right direction. I am not very pro training wheels, because that was I was doing really, but I am sure he liked me there more than training wheels.
While we were there Grandpa came back with Xavier from a walk up and down the alley.
Grandpa walking Xavier in the stroller down the alley
Once side of the back alley borders a park, and no cars are supposed to use this area though one self centered neighbor does, (but no one likes him,) so it is almost like a nature trail.
Olya said,
June 30th, 2010 at 6:54 am
I would have to agree with my Mom there – Damien does tend to give up easily when first confronted with a new task. Glad you got him back in the saddle!
Mom said,
June 30th, 2010 at 9:17 am
Bill, helping your son to learn to ride a bicycle is a special rite of passage for both child and parent. It is great that you had the opportunity to teach him this important skill of balance and confidence, one that he will carry with him the rest of his life. Do you remember learning to ride your first bicycle at 39th and Cherry? Or was it earlier? In any event, you seem to have mastered the skill of balanced parenting quite well. Congrats to both you and Damien. And thank you to grandma Larissa and grandpa Sergey for the bicycle, and the home of love that they are providing the children. I hope you all have a special celebration for Damien tonight commemorating his achievement. The most important of which was to overcome his fear and master the bike. Much love, Mom
Mom said,
June 30th, 2010 at 9:18 am
PS. Thanks for the photos. They are a delight! mom