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OK here is how
you can accomplish this and still maintain your parenting style:
- Be
flexible. Freestylers operate on a different mindset than traditional
kids. Consider taking the trip to the riding sessions as a driver
and watch the look in their eyes. At these riding sessions you
will see the true environment that these kids thrive on. This
is where they are themselves the most. You can also see what they
have learned, accomplished, and mastered in terms of tricks and
social skills.
- Be
yourself and don't try to be so cool. My experience has been that
if parents are the support system and not the life of the party,
kids will involve and not exclude you because you are a part of
building their dream of getting better at this craft. I would
suggest being the unsung hero and trust me they see it without
expressing it.
- Learn
as much as you can about the sport and ask questions one on one.
This is a great way to learn about the sport and find out what
makes this so interesting to your child. If you are viewed as
an active listener and learner they will no doubt look for your
involvement and who knows maybe even value your insight.
- Build
incentives into school. Consider a special purchase or trip if
a certain educational goal is met. Be careful with taking away
the sport as punishment if at all possible. The love for this
sport can be indescribable, if you are not a participant is is
tough to understandand, but taking it away can be more damaging
than a bad grade.
- Lastly,
Be open to the unusual. Freestylers are a new breed of people
in some cases. We think nothing of practicing some new trick at
midnight in front of the house or laying on the floor with the
bike above us to see how contorted we can get pretending to do
airs indoors. Plain and simple most of us are not nuts, but we
do see the world through a unique lens that may seem out of focus
without the right cameraman/parent.
Questions?
Comments?
If you
read this story " you rock"!
BMXStunts.com - 2000 - 2001
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