hell ya... go pats... although i will say i was a lil worried before the game.

 

IndyPred glad you kid is ok, don't beat yourself up. All parents yell sometime, and for the most part that is because we/they care. Only "cool" dads that don't yell sometimes usually don't care.

While I am a bit older than you, I always start our rides with THE SPEECH. [I usually ride with 12, 13, and 16 year olds].

1. SAFETY FIRST [cause if anyone gets hurt we won't be able to come back.]
2. If I get ahead of you, YOU do not have to catch me... take YOUR time and enjoy YOUR ride... I am not going anywhere.
3. If YOU are not comfortable doing it [some trail, or hill] DON'T.
4. If you get nervous...STOP...I will come get you.
5. Spread out when we ride... don't tailgate.
6. Put on your gear... helmet, chest protector, etc.
7. Have a good time!
8. Lets go.

 

your definitly NOT the "cool dad"

lol.. j/k with young riders.. you gotta teach em young or else they will be like one of my buddies when they get older....

 

Excellent "lecture". This sounds about exactly how I will instruct my kids(once I have some that is)

IndyPred:
I see no need for you to be beating yourself up about your reaction. Especially after you explained your reasons for the eruption. lol [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img] We all know that our parents over react at times, but its just cause their concerned about us. Even though he's 8 I'm sure he knows that. On a side note I think its awsome that you take the time to ride with your kid. I really looked forward to when I can do so with my own children. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

I'm sure your son will understand some day. I have some stories of me at age 8-18 and all the dumb things I did on 3-wheelers because I thought I was an immortal. My Dad is a wonderful person and sometimes he would have to lay into me pretty hard. What you want to convey is what could happen that doesn't involve dusting yourself off and walking away. I'm sure he got his first lesson in physics from the 4-wheeler. He also got a lesson in common sense from his father. We want our kids to be alive to enjoy the things that we enjoy as parents today. Yelling at a kid for trivial deeds=BAD. Yelling at your kids for the preservation of their body and life=GOOD.

 

Me and my son have been ridding together for 6 yrs now.He is almost 12 and he started on an eton 50 that he raced and in his last race when he was 7 he missed a triple jump and scared me to death he broke both arms and a chest protector but he got ok and went on to ride a PW80 then to a 125 Breeze and now aa 250 Trailblazer.He has grown so much on his ridding that now I scare him more than he does me.As for this sport it can bring dads and kids closer together and make better people out of all of us.But we must remember it is suposed to be FUN!!!!