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If you are a parent, you naturally want to see your child succeed. And chances are, if you want to see your child succeed, you might feel like you need to do everything in your power to get them there. In the context of learning how to ride a bicycle, the temptation to lend a physical hand is strong. “I’ll just steady them for a second”, you might think. Or “I can just hold one handlebar, they’re doing most of the work”, you could venture. While working for Avid4 Adventure this past summer I learned a hands-off technique to teach training-wheel-free biking that relies entirely on the power of demonstration, clear communication and patient encouragement and it blew my mind. The steps below provide a tutorial of this biking technique taught at Avid4 Adventure Learn to Bike summer camps (though keep in mind we haven't shared all of our secrets!).

Before you dive in to step 1, you'll want to make sure that your child has their own bike that fits them properly. 

Long, cold winters can be tough for many people in an average year. With the added sense of isolation and social restrictions, the darker months can feel even more difficult. It’s not uncommon to experience symptoms of depression on a seasonal cycle. When they have limited sunlight, our bodies can simultaneously struggle to produce enough serotonin (the chemical in our brain that regulates our mood), and over-produce melatonin (the chemical that causes drowsiness). These two factors can sometimes result in what is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Fortunately, there are several effective ways to treat this form of depression. First, let’s make sure we know what symptoms look for.  

What an amazing day. We made skillet oatmeal pancakes on the camp stove, topped with warm, spiced berries, ran around the field more times than I could count, practiced the ‘scooting technique’ that is an important step to biking without training wheels, and were collapsed in a heap on the grass, waiting for parents. All but one camper had gone home. Having exhausted my pile of books, one little camper (we’ll call him G) and I were simply watching the world go by. I happened to look up at the sky and noticed that one of the clouds looked exactly like a feather. I pointed it out to G. He agreed—it was a feather. And then I sat with rapt attention as G—who was 4—proceeded to fabricate an extremely intricate story about a superhero who used the tickling powers of feathers to overcome bad guys.

Practicing the art of mindfulness in times as anxiety-producing as the ones we're enduring right now may just be the key to thriving, rather than simply surviving. But, before we delve into the specifics of how and why that could be the case, you may find yourself wondering “Wait, Rebecca, what even is mindfulness”. Great question; I’m glad you asked.

Do you have fun when outdoor excursions go perfectly according to plan? Sure you do. But then again…in my experience, somehow the spirit of adventure and opportunities for growth only really enter the scene when conditions are less than idyllic.