For weeks now my tiny tyrant has been talking about bicycles. "That my bicycle. I want bicycle. Me ride bicycle..." You get the idea.
(For the record, the tiny tyrant is N. B is lovingly referred to as the diapered dictator.)
E and I get a fabulous idea to get N a starter bike. We went to the bike shop for a completely unrelated matter and asked the bike experts there what was the best plan. Trike? Training wheels? How do we do this people?
The experts at the bike shop actually recommended something called a balance bike. Go on, Google it. You'll learn about a bazillion brands and things regarding learning to balance over learning to pedal yadda yadda yadda. We went here after extensive research and ordered an awesome green balance bike for N. We also went out and purchased him a Cars helmet (complete with Lightning McQueen) and a bell. He is S-T-O-K-E-D.
The bike gets here when we're away for the weekend and is waiting for us when we get back. E brings the box inside and the following conversation ensues:
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N: A BIKE! That MY bike.
E: Yep buddy, this is YOUR bike!
N: My bike! I open.
E: Let me put it together bud.
N: Tears, hysterics
E: Chill out bud! Can you help Mommy and B unpack? You're an awesome helper!
Me: Directing dirty look at E because we (in private) refer to N as the anti-helper.
N: I help Mommy and B!
Minutes pass with me putting things away and N and B immediately taking them back out of their assigned places again while E puts together this bike. Seriously. Like maybe 5 minutes. It didn't take long.
E: Hey N! I'm all done! Check this out!
N: MY BIIIIIIIKEEEEEEE!
E: Yay! Your bike! Let's put your helmet on so you can ride it!
N: Yay! I ride it! Put helmet on!
E: Puts the helmet on N's head and fastens the strap under his chin.
N: Climbs on bike and grabs his helmet. Helmet OFF.
E: We wear helmets when we ride our bikes buddy. Remember how Mommy and Daddy wear helmets?
N: No. Off.
E: In his best dad-is-sad-about-this-voice If we take off your helmet you can't ride your bike.
N: I get off. No helmet. No ride bike.
E: Looks at me.
Me: Shrugs (I'm no help whatsoever.)
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N proceeds to get off his bike and has summarialy refused to get on again due to the helmet restriction. I grew up riding bikes everywhere and not once did my parents enforce some kind of helmet rule (not throwing you under the bus Mom and Dad, but let's face it, my cranium wasn't protected). I am very VERY tempted to forsake the helmet to get him to exercise the use of this $100 PUSH BIKE we got him for NO REASON OTHER THAN WE LOVE HIM.
Helmet = mandatory safety precaution. I will not lose this battle of wills with a two year old. This pains me. Parenting sucks sometimes.
2 comments:
That is funny. They are stubborn little dudes. I think Paul's screaming has damaged my hearing...seriously.
oh love your post. Little boys are the greatest and they love their mommas, but they do have some strong wills. Way to hold out and be the responsible momma you were created to be. He'll wear down and see the helmet isn't so bad!
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