We are having a bike problem that reminds me of the book "Old Hat New Hat." New bikes are so shiny and awsome. Old bikes are rusty and well . . . old. Here is my problem. I have two boys who are almost the same size. I have always planned on buying a great bike in each size and letting it get passed down. Well - that plan isn't working this summer. Steven isn't quite big enough for a 20 inch. Isaac is way to big for the 12 inch. They both want the 16 inch orange swinn. I nabbed my nephews old 16 inch blue swinn thinking Steven could ride it without training wheels until next year when he will fit on a bigger bike. Yeah, it's been abused. It's rusty and missing all the reflectors. But my dad put new tires on it and tuned it up. Steven immediatly turned his nose up at it. "The seat is too hard - It isn't shiny!" So dear old dad put the training wheels on the blue one for Isaac. I told Isaac we would get new handle grips and some spray paint and he thinks it is great. Now Steven thinks he wants the blue one. Do I let wishy washy child #1 get whatever he wants? I'm not sure what to do.
Chris thinks we should just buy another new bike. I am a penney pincher. But that isn't the point. Next year we will have an extra 16 inch bike laying around to trip over. Chris points out that he never had a handed down bike as a child. I point out that bikes were different back then and there were no such thing as a 12 or 16 inch bikes. I, on the other hand had great HMD bikes. The one I learned to ride was a 20 inch blue swinn that belonged to my oldest sister. All 4 of my older sisters learned to ride on it and it was almost 20 years old by the time I used it (my parents still have it!) When my little brother was ready to ride I moved on to another sister's bike. This one had a purple frame with a flowered banana seat. I chose new yellow tires and red handle grips. I was stylin!!! I still have my first and only new bike - a blue 12 speed with the curled handlebars. It still works great even if Chris laughs when I ride it. I have fond memories of riding it and I know my parents sacrificed to buy it for me. One thing I do know is that I don't want my kids to think they get everything they want the minute they want it. Life has always been hard and I think a few small things can make them realize that making due is OK. We will see you around the block. Hopefully one of my boys will be riding the blue bike.
4 comments:
me and my sister got new bikes and while my dad was putting them together she sneaked my seat (the more comfortable one) and put it in her bike box, so i got the hard seat. I didnt care then by now I realize the injustice of it all
I don't think child #1 should get it now. He had his chance. As for my girls HMD! Have you ever looked for a bike at the DI? Sometimes they have good ones.
We have an extra red bike that we got from my sister in law, it needs new tires, but it looks like it's in good condition other than that. I have no idea what size it is, but you're welcome to take it! Like I said, it's an extra one....we've got so many used bikes in our garage, we could compete with DI!
I know what you are talking about. I was the youngest with two older sisters. I got whatever they grew out of. We have an extra 16 inch bike lying around that is in good shape if you want it.:)I know Shelby doesn't want a boy bike.
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