I may look happy! But, I'm NOT!

[Oakie]

I can sympathise. I have daughters (thankfully 18 and 21 now) but I learned very early on not to make promises I couldn't keep. There's nothing worse than going back on something and then seeing the hurt look in a little girl's eyes. Throw in a quivering lip and you could easily rip your own heart out.

Just remember that she made you make that promise because she wants to have you around for a lot longer ... she didn't do it to deny you of pleasure.

If you can't keep your promise ... just tell her it makes you very sad not to be able to ride and that if you promise to be very very careful, you would like to get another bike. If you can keep your promise, don't worry. There will always be bikes around in the future and when the time is right ... jump back in.

Funny thing is that while my eldest was horrified of me getting a "two wheeled death machine" (her words) I convinced her to go on the back a couple of times and now she'll find any excuse for me to take her somewhere on the bike instead of the car. So, perhaps you could borrow a scooter and a few rides around the back yard with her might convince little miss four that perhaps bikes are pretty cool.

[inlinefour]

I'd be telling 4 how unhappy you are now that you can't ride. Life is there to be enjoyed. You want to be a spectator or a participant. Life is dangerous, that simple. Go and get a bike, you'll feel much better

[crashe]

Ramius - re message left in you know where lol

Get her some ear muffs or kiddies ear plugs when you get a bike or go to a bike shop.... so the noise doesnt hurt her ears.

Her ears are rather sensitive to noise.... and she just needs to learn to adjust to certain noises.

I have seen kiddies who as soon as they hear a bike they cover their ears.

There is a way to help her with this problem...

Get a tape recorder and record bike noises and let her listen to them at a low level. Then slowly turn up the volume.... she will soon adjust to the noise.

Do it over a period of a few days..

[Ixion]

Since when did adults keep promises to kids. Growing up is full of adults lies.
Yes, there is a Santa
The Tooth Fairy will come when you're asleep.
No, I won't drive my motorcycle again.

That's no lie ! There is so a Santa

[Wolf]

If I promised my three-year-old I'd never ride a bike again, he'd move out of home and disown me.

[ManDownUnder]

How about getting a friend or two over (on their bikes)... if it's the bike she doesn't like... seeing others riding them (and enjoying them) might help you bring it up for discussion...

If it's the noise she's scared of make it a couple of nice quiet bikes... maybe like my RF - big but quiet?

Just a thought - good luck chap
MDU

[Beemer]

Mmn, shakes head, reminds herself of why she didn't want kids anyway...

[Fryin Finn]

Get a dirt bike and get her one too. Then learn to crash to your hearts content off road and realise it dosen't allways have to hurt.

[riffer]

Get a dirt bike and get her one too. Then learn to crash to your hearts content off road and realise it dosen't allways have to hurt.

Not exactly the best advice. It always hurt like hell every time I crashed my dirt bike...

[Slingshot]

To me, this seems easy...figure out what's more important to you.


I bet you already know what the answer is.

[ManDownUnder]

To me, this seems easy...figure out what's more important to you.


I bet you already know what the answer is.

Yeah - I see what you're saying - but I'm inclined to say they're both important... so working out a way to work your way through would be the go.

MDU

[White trash]

Shaun. The relashionship aint gonna work mate. If you love bikes that much now, you always will. You'll always resent not having one, she'll always resent you if you get one.

Sorry mate, countries have crumbled for less.

Edit: You're also a miserable looking bugger, not happy. But that aint new.

[StoneChucker]

I think you HAVE to get a bike. She is young, she will understand or forget/forgive. If you deny yourself what you obviously want and need, you will suffer in the long run.

Life is so damn short it's not funny. I hope you listen to your heart Shaun. If you get a bike you ARE NOT lying to her or hurting her. You are the adult, and need to make the decisions as such. Sometimes children ask things which are unreasonable yet they just don't realise.

Like I said, life is short and this is about YOU! What's the point if you are unhappy, miserable and depressed just so Miss 4 can have her way, over things she does not understand.

If I could buy a bike tomorrow and go for a ride, I would! Don't waste you life mate...

Hope you make the right choice without too much pain.
Dave

[Ramius]

I think you HAVE to get a bike. She is young, she will understand or forget/forgive. If you deny yourself what you obviously want and need, you will suffer in the long run.

Life is so damn short it's not funny. I hope you listen to your heart Shaun. If you get a bike you ARE NOT lying to her or hurting her. You are the adult, and need to make the decisions as such. Sometimes children ask things which are unreasonable yet they just don't realise.

Like I said, life is short and this is about YOU! What's the point if you are unhappy, miserable and depressed just so Miss 4 can have her way, over things she does not understand.

If I could buy a bike tomorrow and go for a ride, I would! Don't waste you life mate...

Hope you make the right choice without too much pain.
Dave

Sean! Sean! Sorry, I have seen my name spelt wrong twice now. Its all good, I am used to it. You and everyone else who has said it are very wise. Some very great suggestions here. Liking the idea of taking her to a bike shop just so she can see the different types, and show her that they are not just murderbikes. You guys rock! We will see what time brings, as I won't be making any decisions til I get back to Wellington, whenever the hell that will be! Hopefully by Christmas!!! Hope you are well on the mend as well Dave.

[StoneChucker]

Sean

Sorry for the spelling mistake, I copied the spelling I saw on a post before mine. Yeah, on the mend mostly, going in for more "panlbeating" next week - then hopefully on the mend for good.

We must have a drink in December when you come down. Are you still on all those nice pills which you shouldn't drink with? So am I! It will be a great night