It’s a clear image. Your son or daughter just got his or her first bike ever. Training wheels and all. It’s a beautiful day outside, and you’re keeping an eye out for obstacles, wind, stuff like that, anything that could easily tip your little kid over while on the bike. Lord knows you don’t want scrapes or bruises on the little tike.
So he or she gets on the bike (after you’ve strapped the helmet and pads on, of course), and the toddler starts working the pedals. As you’re teaching your kid how to move the bike, you’re still nervous. Something bad’ll happen. But you can’t help but lose the child farther and farther out as he or she gains speed. Your child has learned how to pedal.
Now the next step is learning how to stop! Dear, God! Now that’s going to be a problem.
Then you watch him or her tumble to the side, because he or she was going too fast, even with the training wheels–crash and burn. You run toward your kid with the fear that he or she might not ever pick up the bike again. But your child does.
Your child actually does. As you try to help him or her guide the bike, he or she looks at you…. And says…. “That’s okay [mom or dad]. All I need is a little push.”
And that’s what parenting is all about. Giving that little push. Those kids will one day get away from you and follow their own dreams, but you can’t hold onto them long…. All they need is a little push. The rest is up to them.