The Bicycle Dad

Posted byAbPosted inADHD, adoption, FASD, gratitude, growth mindset, love, Parenting, school, wellbeingTags:, , , , , , , , ,

As I biked past the boys playing soccer on the field, one of them said, “Here comes Bicycle Dad.”

I was amused by the comment, as I parked my bike by a bench and T biked around the playground.

Like a soccer mom, the only identity that matters at home is not my work nor education – but T’s Papa; and it’s one I am proud and grateful for.

How time flies – it was just yesterday when he explored the neighbourhood on his Fisher Price tricycle.

The boys playing soccer are T’s age and older – and they are out during T and my post dinner rides.

T thinks they’re jerks, so he keeps to himself on his bike or gravitates towards younger kids.

On a recent school night, T started to help our 5-year-old neighbour’s dad with teaching his son how to ride a bike.

The best way to practice a skill is to teach it to someone else.

When these training wheels came off, it was a big deal. This bike was a birthday gift from Ma.

Our family is navigating a new chapter: middle school.

The hubby and I took T’s first school day off work, so we could do drop off and pick up together.

T was nervous and during the first pickup, he had a short cry in the car about how he didn’t fit in.

We reminded him that he also felt this way when he started at his previous school and we reassured him he will find his way and his own tribe.

The rest of the week went better!

During Friday morning’s dropoff, the hubby and I noticed we were the only parents hanging out.

So we told T, who was playing basketball by himself in the yard, that we were leaving before the bell rang and students were let in.

As we left, one of the kids in T’s class approached him and they played ball together.

It was a strangely freeing feeling knowing we can now leave T on his own during dropoff.

I love that bikes now come with us on roadtrips.

As Bicycle Dad, I know this next chapter will be a mix of being there with him, for him – and also giving him space to explore on his own.

As T became proficient at biking, we began to explore newer and further parts of our neighbourhood – and this includes letting him bike on his own.

Biking regulates him.

This morning, he was out for two hours – and he’s back out again this afternoon, as I write this post.

I love seeing him come home with his flushed rosy cheeks, his hair messy and forehead soaked, his eyes behind his glasses wide with contentment.

A photo shared by his teacher of a team building activity. T is seated with two classmates from his previous school – whom are positive influences. The kid with the Corn Flakes is a new classmate and they played basketball Friday morning during dropoff.

Photo at top: Sunset bike ride by T’s grandparents cottage in New Brunswick in Summer 2026.

27 thoughts on “The Bicycle Dad”

  3. Wow, it doesn’t seem as though so much time has passed. I still think of T, as I also do many family members at the ages I first got to know them and I’ve been praying he has a great start for middle school. So many cool things in this post. Like still having his bike from your Ma. Even him teaching your neighbor’s 5yr old how tio ride. That is fabulous!

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    1. Thank you Tammy. I am comforted knowing that you’re out there praying for T – I feel it and I know it makes a difference for him too. 😊 It was as good of a first week as we can hope for. I know the expectations will be higher now with week 2, so staying cautiously optimistic. 🙏 Hope you and your family are doing well too!

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  4. It breaks my heart that T had a rough first day, but I’m glad he’s finding his groove and making new friends. How endearing to be called “Bicycle Dad” by the neighborhood kids… that says a lot that you’re present enough to be noticed. Cheers to middle school and all the adventures to come! 😊

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    1. Thanks Erin. I think it’s him feeling like small fish in a bigger ocean – and small changes that seem big to him, like eating in a cafeteria, no playground on the grounds, no recess.

      And I know you’ll understand when I say that he has his own -tisms and stims that make him stand out in ways that he probably doesn’t want to nor do most kids understand. But he will find his own tribe, as we all do, as we tell and remind him. 😊🙏

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      1. I can only imagine. In retrospect, I think I was very fortunate to go to the same school K-8, so there wasn’t that same scary transition. I suspect I would have had a difficult time adjusting.

        He’ll find it tribe, I’m sure. T sounds like the kind of kid who would approach another to compliment a cool t-shirt or style of throwing a ball. He’s such a kindhearted boy that I think he’s bound to cross paths with someone who recognizes his heart and can look past (or even appreciate) his quirks. I’ll be praying that he finds a good friend (or several). 😊🙏

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      2. Thanks Erin. I appreciate your kind encouragement. In a way, I’m glad he’s in middle school, because it will make the leap into high school in 3 years less jarring. 🙏

        He is generally a good kindhearted kid but some of his behaviour makes him his own worst enemy. I have faith he’ll figure this all out over time. 😊

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  6. Bicycle Dad has a nice ring to it and much better than a lot of other names kids could give you for sure 😉 So glad for T and dads that things so far are going well. Keep the positive moments in mind on the harder days. I do have to ask- did any of those kids even know what corn flakes are or how important they once were to breakfast for millions of people years ago?

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    1. Thanks Deb! Yes, you’re right – lots of other names I could be called. 🤣 I agree, it’s good to bank these happy moments and cash them out when we have the harder moments.

      Corn flakes is still pretty common over here, but definitely not one of T’s cereal of choice. I love them myself! 😊

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    1. Thanks LaDonna. It really is reassuring, although there is that worry of what is he doing outside and is he safe – that’s always in the back of my head. 🙏He’s now out for the 4th time today! But it beats sitting inside looking at a phone. 😊

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  8. Wow, it’s a wonderful start for T in middle school. He is definitely growing as a responsible kid – biking on his own and loving it. You are a good dad Ab, letting him find his own pace in this life.🥰

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  9. A mixture of being there for him and allowing him to find his way…so perfectly put, Ab!
    Moments like this one, witnessing hope, right before our eyes, provides courage:
    “As we left, one of the kids in T’s class approached him and they played ball together.”
    Well done! Rosy cheeks and messy hair = a very good day! 💝💝💝

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    1. Thanks Vicki. Witnessing hope does indeed provide courage. I love how you phrased that! 😊 And there are so many ways to measure a good day – a sweaty, messy haired kid is certainly one of them! 🥰

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    1. Thanks Karen. It was a nice way to ease into a new year and school. Let’s hope the positive momentum continues and that we’re ready for the inevitable speed bumps along the way! 😊

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      2. That is very kind of you – does it come with tequila, Marguerita and a Mexican earthquake too? 🤣 All kidding aside, your checkin in on the blog is more helpful and appreciated than you know! 😊

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