Here’s another story of “the kids these days have it so easy, when I was a kid…  <grumble grumble grumble>

  For e’s 5th birthday, we got her a bike and scooter.  Finding a bike isn’t as easy as it seems.  Sizing is now based on the diameter of the wheel, so in her case, a 16″ bike is apparently the right size.  When I was a kid <grin> it was “hey let me borrow your bike and see if I can reach the pedals!”

  There’s also a wide range of bikes to consider… Tinkerbell bike, princess bike, Bratz bike, cream soda bike, etc.  When did bikes become cross promotional marketing material?  When I was a kid- it used to be “girl bike or boy bike?”  “1 speed, 3 speed, or 10 speed?”

  We also had to get her a helmet, elbow, knee, and hand protection.  Ok, I understand the safety aspect.  It saved her from tears after falling- the pads did their job and took the scrape instead of her knees and elbows. 

  I learned to ride a bike being pushed down a gravel alley… no helmet or pads, no training wheels, and needless to say I fell and got scraped up pretty good.  I remember picking bits of gravel out of my scraped up elbow/knees, pushing my bike back up the alley and trying again.  Maybe part of the motivation of learning to ride quickly (without protection) is that falling hurts so I better master this quickly! 

  I’m sure it’s more sheer luck, but I’ve done so many stupid things on my bike (without a helmet) that it’s a miracle I didn’t break my head or any bones… and become a poster child for the pro-helmet supporters.  But it’s a different world now, and if I can spare my kid a scraped knee or a bonk on the head, then that’s a good thing.

  I’ve taken e out a few times, and each time she’s gotten better and stronger.  I just might be able to bring my bike out and ride around with her instead of trying to chase her around.  There are a few things for her to master however, and near the top of the list is to never let go of the handlebars, even if there is a wasp flying by you!