1 Training Wheel

So, several people have asked why the kid's bike only has one training wheel. Is it some kind of brilliant and effective teaching strategy? While I'm flattered by that, the truth is, well, the 2nd one just won't stay on. I'm not sure if it's because the screw is stripped or what, but it simply gets loose after 10-15 minutes of riding and falls off. So we've given up and just stopped trying to reattach it. Mostly - to be honest - because we're lazy and easily frustrated by the thing. No genius here.

Fortunately, many of you offered some great ideas (mostly on FB) of what to try and I thought I'd share some of the weath here.

• SL: Use your hips to shift your weight, don't be scared I am with you, peddle strong to pull yourself .... And no matter what even if you don't get it today keep trying, you will.
• Aunt L: my kids learned in the yard, it was harder to petal so they had to really put effort into it and if they feel they soon found out it didnt hurt so bad.
• DJ: Take the training wheels off first practice balancing on the bike then walk with him occasionally letting go so he learns to always balance slowly start to take 1 hand off then only have hands to catch him
• SP: I taught N and H, as well as my niece B. I took N and H to a parking lot at the park with elbow pads and knee pads on. I pushed them around until they got comfortable then I started letting go without them knowing it as I kept walking/running beside them. Eventually they got it. It only took both of them an hour maybe 2 to learn. Btw. No training wheels. In my opinion it hinders. Just my opinion though maybe work for others.
• MCW: Buy the balance buddy. Seriously one to two days. Just have to run with them. So easy and stress free!!
• AJ: Get rid of the training wheels and take the pedals off so that he can walk and coast until he learns balance.  I had A riding in an hour using this method.
• CB: Balance bike. The bike will do all the work in 2 weeks or less.

So, thanks for these great ideas. Also, thank you for admitting that teaching your kids to ride a bike has also been stressful for some of you. Seriously, made me feel much better!

Today's Lesson: I can not stress this enough, I don't care how long you've worked somewhere, how well you know your co-workers, how comfortable you are, when you work in a cubicle, please, PLEASE, do NOT talk about your nasty feet. Or walk around without shoes showing them off. Seriously. Not appropriate. Or nice.