When Dreams Meet Reality: A Parent's Tale

Three years ago, my family was living the cycling dream. My son, my daughter, and I would spend our weekends exploring bike paths, feeling the wind in our faces, and sharing that special joy that only comes from pedaling together.

The Dream

My son, then 12 years old, had a dream that many cycling-enthusiast parents would love to hear: "Dad, I want to ride my bike to school every day!" His eyes lit up as he imagined the freedom, the adventure, the independence of commuting on two wheels.

As passionate cyclists, we made it happen. We planned the route, got him the right gear, made sure he was safe and ready. We turned his dream into reality.

The Reality Check

Now he's 15. And guess what? He kind of hates cycling.

Okay, "hate" might be a strong word, but that daily bike commute he once dreamed about? It's become just another chore. The bike sits in the garage more often than not. The excitement has faded into eye-rolls and "Do I have to?"

The Lesson I Learned

Here's what I discovered: there's a huge difference between cycling for fun and cycling because you have to.

When cycling is an adventure, it's magical. When it's a commute, it's just... a commute.

For a kid, making cycling their primary way to get to school can actually backfire:

• It becomes routine - What was once special becomes ordinary
• Weather matters - Rain, cold, heat - it's not fun when you HAVE to ride
• Social pressure - Not all their friends are cycling, and that matters at that age
• They get tired of it - The novelty wears off faster than we'd like to admit
• It's not their choice anymore - When parents make it the default, it loses its appeal

What I'd Do Differently

Looking back, I wish I'd:

1. Kept cycling optional - Made it an adventure, not an obligation
2. Mixed it up - Some days bike, some days other transport
3. Focused on weekend rides - Keep the joy separate from the routine
4. Let him choose - Give him the power to decide when to ride
5. Listened to the signals - When the excitement started fading, I should have adjusted

The Silver Lining

Here's the thing though - I don't regret trying. We made his dream come true, and that matters. And who knows? Maybe in a few years, after some time away from mandatory cycling, he'll rediscover that love for the bike on his own terms.

My daughter still enjoys riding occasionally, and I've learned to keep it light and fun for her.

For Other Cycling Parents

If your kid expresses interest in bike commuting:

• ✅ Do support their enthusiasm
• ✅ Do help them try it out
• ✅ Do make it safe and feasible
• ❌ Don't make it their only option
• ❌ Don't force it when they're losing interest
• ❌ Don't let your cycling passion override their feelings

The Bottom Line

Sometimes our kids' dreams are real, and sometimes they're just phases. And that's okay. The goal isn't to create mini versions of ourselves who love everything we love. The goal is to expose them to experiences, support their interests, and be flexible when those interests change.

So yes, my son's bike-to-school dream didn't quite work out as planned. But we tried, we learned, and we're still a family that cycles together - just not every day, and not out of obligation.

And honestly? That's probably healthier for everyone.

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Have you had a similar experience with your kids and cycling? Or any hobby that went from dream to drag? I'd love to hear your stories - it helps to know we're not alone in these parenting adventures!