The sun was shining, and excitement was in the air as I took my oldest, Chloe, to the park. The mission? Teaching her how to ride a bike without those ever-trustworthy training wheels. It’s one of those hallmark moments in parenting. On one side, there’s Chloe, practically bursting with excitement about her “big girl” bike, yet hesitating at the thought of her dad not being right by her side through this new challenge.
For me, I felt a blend of emotions. I was thrilled, eager to see my little girl take on the world, one pedal at a time. We covered the basics—mounting the bike, balancing, gripping the handles, the rhythm of pedaling. What Chloe didn’t know was that this was as new for me as it was for her. Sure, I’ve ridden bikes, and I’ve seen countless scenes on TV of parents running alongside their children, guiding them. But when it came to recalling my own bike-learning experience? It’s all a bit fuzzy. So, as I was teaching Chloe, I was silently navigating my own journey of understanding, retracing the steps my parents took with me.
The day was filled with short rides, shared laughter, and a good dose of running on my part. At times, Chloe managed a few independent rides. But those moments were fleeting—she’d soon look back, signaling it was time for me to grab hold again. And truth be told, part of me wasn’t ready to let go either.
Inside, a question loomed: When do I let go? I mean, what if she falls?
As the sun began to dip and our day at the park drew to a close, I realized I might’ve been the more worn out of the two of us. Running behind her, ensuring she didn’t tumble, was both exhilarating and exhausting.
We’ll be back at the park soon, and I’ll likely be right beside her, holding onto that bike for a little longer. But there will come a point—a moment of reckoning—where I’ll need to release my grip. I can’t hold on forever, as doing so would only stifle her growth. She might collect a few scrapes along the way, but it’s all part of the learning curve.
Life’s full of such moments, isn’t it? As parents, we constantly walk this tightrope of being there for our children while also stepping back, allowing them the space to grow, stumble, and rise again. One pedal at a time.
