Two-Wheeled Determination

The balance, coordination, determination, and team work!  That’s what it took to get Nathan from four wheels to two.  Nathan is my child who decides he’s ready to do something long before he’s physically capable.  It’s just a reaction to trying to keep up with his older brother, but it’s frustrating for all of us.  His desire is there, but sometimes that’s not enough to get him where he wants to be. 

Riding his bicycle without training wheels was just like that.  Earlier this summer he had almost all of the components in place, but what was missing was keeping him in training wheels.  He couldn't get the hang of looking down the sidewalk, so looking at the ground under his wheels always put him on the ground under his bicycle.  Then at the end of the summer, things changed.  One afternoon in September, Zac and Nathan teamed up.  Zac loaned Nathan his bicycle and his balance to get him started.  Then they were off with Zac trotting beside Nathan.  Just as Zac couldn't keep up anymore, he let go and Nathan was off on his own and doing it!  He was riding his big brother’s bicycle with no training wheels.  He made it most of the way down the sidewalk on our block.  This time when he fell off, there wasn't the usual amount of tears and frustration.  This time he jumped up and wanted to do it again.  After about three runs, he was on his own and there was no stopping him.  When Daddy got home that evening, he took the training wheels off of Nathan’s bike, and they are now lost in the depths of the garage.  Who knew a little brotherly determination would get Nathan up and going on two wheels?!