A few weeks ago Summer decided to give her tricycle to Beck and I just spent a freezing cold walk around the block. It took longer than expected because Beck has not grasped the concept of riding on the Tricycle, instead he insists on holding the handlebar and pushing the tricycle around the block which slows things down.
Now I have a question for everyone: What can I do to help Beck understand the joy of riding on the tricycle rather than pushing it?
Any ideas will be appreciated and considered and until he decides to ride I am going to let him be the little precious boy he wants to be.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
A confused and frustrated father.
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4 comments:
If that picture is Beck riding the tricycle than I have a lot more questions than answers.
Here's my tooth's sense:
A big part of the art of parenting is listening (verbally and non-verbally) to your kid and seeing how you can complement their own initiative and exploration rather than trying to force it in an unnatural direction. It seems to me this practice extends to even more frustrating parenting activities like potty training (not that trike-mastery isn't frustrating). We got Evan a plastic trike that he didn't seem to really care much for at first, but now he cruises around a lot (or a lod as Asia would say). I'd bet the barn that once Beck get's his fill of pushing the trike he'll explore other uses (pushing it over, climbing on it, leaving it in the way, and then maybe riding it).
Don't forget the power of example...last weekend when Ben got frustrated he had a moment of realization that Beck only ever sees us pushing the tricycle. He got his bike out and rode it around the driveway to show Beck what it means to ride and moments later Beck was sitting on his trike trying to figure it out. Once we're moved we'll have a much better place to practice patience and riding.
I call dibs on Michelle's story for my next church talk.
Another idea that works, but I'm sure backfires in the end, is to forbid him to ride the trike. Of course, then you're encouraging rebellion.
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