"Mommy, let go!"

Those were the words my youngest daughter said to me yesterday as we were continuing our journey of riding with no training wheels.  Hubby had spent an hour with the girls on Sunday, teaching them to ride without their training wheels.  They caught on pretty quick.  

Yesterday, as soon as they were off the bus, they were ready to get back at it.  Hubby was at work, so it was up to me to help our youngest master the bike.  She explained to me what Daddy did on Sunday, "He holds on to the handlebars.  When I'm ready for him to let go, I tell him to let go."  Ok, no big deal.  I can do this.  Besides, I don't really want to be running down the street attached to my daughter's bike.  So, I grabbed on to the handlebars, and off we went.  Only, when she told me to let go, I couldn't do it.  I could tell the bike wasn't steady, and I just had visions of her falling.  

Now I'm all about my kids falling, picking themselves back up, and trying again... in theory.  But in actuality, I don't like seeing them physically hurt.  I just couldn't let go!  She was becoming more frustrated, and I could tell that she really wanted me to let go.  So I took a deep breath, waited for the dreaded words, and I let go.  She peddled with everything in her, and off she went.  She was doing it!  

As I stood there in the middle of the street, watching her, I realized that this is something I'd have to do for the rest of my life.  I'd have to watch her fall, get back up, and try again.  I know in my head that this is healthy.  Some of the best lessons are learned by falling and getting back up.  But my heart was having a harder time getting the message.   

As parents, we sometimes want to make it all better for our kids.  We want them to have a cushy life, with minimal pain and frustration.  But the truth is, that is NOT real life.  Life has highs and lows.  If we don't teach our kids how to deal with both, they'll be lost.  They'll never know how to get back up and try again.  I want my kids to know how to do this.  It's important to find opportunities to teach them, especially when they're young and still listening to us, sometimes.  And, as I learned with this bike riding experience, it's not always going to be easy for me.  I'm going to want to hold on.  

Boy, who knew I could learn so much from watching my girls ride their bikes?  

I was so incredibly proud of her.  She had so much determination.  She was sweaty, frustrated, and falling, but she'd just pick up the bike, get back on, and try again.  By the end, she was zooming by me.  She called herself, "Miss Zoomy Pants."  

Here's a couple of pictures of Miss Zoomy Pants:

All by herself!

Later that night, we got together with some friends.  The girls were sharing their stories from the day.  The pride they had on their faces was priceless.  It was worth all of the sweat and fear.  

Figure out where you've been hanging on too tightly.  Watch for those teachable moments, you don't want to miss them.  

Oh.  Here's another thing she mastered later that night: 

The Armpit Fart.  *sigh*  

Never a dull moment.  I'm so proud. 

Thanks for stopping by,