A recent "oh my" moment with my son, over in the Parenting Pod I think no one visits anymore, >sigh<

I've simplified my life in so many ways that I've come to appreciate even the simple but wondrous things I see in my son.

At 5 going on 6 he's at an awkward time of still wanting to be mom's boy but wanting to be a "big" boy.  I watch him go from wanting to take off in a crowd of strangers at a party and make friends to clinging to my lap when he meets even one new person.  And this stage to me is just fascinating.

I'd say sometimes he gives up too easy.  Sometimes I let it bother me in that hovering Parent way.  At least I never voice it to him.  I quickly remind myself that its his life.  But other times he shocks me with his determination.

When that Lincoln log castle won't quite stay up....times when I'd have started over, he persists and builds the most wonderful things.  When his 'switch hitting' seems to be off one day he doesn't automatically start hitting righty, he persists.

But so far I have to say my favorite moment of watching his simple determination was last night.  He's trying very hard to get rid of the training wheels on his bike.  But he truly still needs them.  I told him when he could ride 100 ft without me hearing the training wheels dragging I'd take them off.  Last night we were down by the river and he tried and he tried.  Oblivious to me.  Oblivious to his surroundings.  Totally focused.  I'd interrupt his concentration from time to time, trying to show him that the faster you go the easier it is to balance, that slow makes it hard, things like that.

Bright idea me.  So he goes taking off, I'm sprinting to keep up with him (I'm so not a runner, my knees can't hack it) and he's still pulling away.  I don't hear training wheels for MORE than 100ft.  More like 100 yards.  Then I see the wobble.  He had looked back to give me a "AHA!" triumphant yell and smile.

Down he went.

I kept sprinting, with that cringing sort of hope that he'd just pop right up and say "phew".  He didn't.  He froze, crablike over his spilled bike.  I plucked him off like I was dead-heading a flower, getting body parts off pointy-enough handles, biting pedals.  I thought I'd just stand him on his feet but he clung to me and buried his face (its his crying in secret he doesn't want anyone to see and I don't know why).  When he was done I asked him if he was ok.  He showed me where the pedal got him in the groin, ouch and a red hand.  I asked him if he could walk and prepared myself to haul the bike home like usual after a wreck.

But hey, whats this, he gets on the bike.  He starts slow and says "Walk with me mom".  I thought he wanted a hand on him.  But no, he just wanted to talk. 

D:  Man, that was scary.
Me:  Scary?
D:  Yeah, the road coming right at my face.  Glad my helmet stopped it.
Me:  Yeah, that could hurt.
D: I'm not really hurt though.
Me:  Thats good.
D:  And I was going REALLY fast.
Me: Yes you were.
D: And I balanced the whole block!
Me: Yep.  Impressive.
D:  So you'll be taking off my training wheels?
Me:  If you want.
D:  Well they aren't going to save me from wrecking!

And off he goes, faster and faster until I have to sprint to stop him from forgetting in his joy that he shouldn't be crossing the intersection without me.

I thought he'd be heading home but oh no, now it was off to ride around the block with the bumpiest most uneven sidewalks "Because you've got to know how to handle those problems you know mom".  Jeesh.  Little philosopher on a bike.

Later he bragged to dad about his wreck being "a really good one" whatever that is.  And at bedtime we did our usual day's rehash and he wanted to know if I ever wrecked.

So I told him some of my wreck stories:

*The time I was riding to school and my bookbag hit the front wheel and I went over the handle bars, got up, walked to school and didn't even cry until my mom came walking in the nurse room door.

*The time I was an adult and misjudged the side of a trail and slid down a steep hill by bike cheese-gratering me the whole way down.

*The time I was an adult and hit a stick I wasn't ready for and went over the handle bars.

He got a good laugh out of those and asked me why I still ride my bike if I'm going to wreck so much.  I said because its fun, I love it, why let a couple little setbacks keep you from enjoying something you love?

But I don't think I have him convinced.  I think he thinks he's either going to be bike invincible and never wreck once he gets the hang of riding.  Or maybe he'll not love it enough to put up with the lumps.

But I can already see that maybe his determination WILL see him past those wrecks in life for something he loves.

I'll keep you posted on the training wheel status.  He's got to prove it to dad first.