I made a commitment to my son and myself that I would teach him to ride a 2-wheeler...sans training wheels. A few weekends ago my husband took off the training wheels and attached the Balance Buddy. The Balance Buddy ($16-$20) is a long U-shaped bar that attaches to the axle of the bike's back wheel. This has made my neighbors, who had to run along holding on to their kid's bike seat, jealous.

We went in the street, me in my flip-flops and my son focused on burning rubber. I ran down the street and back up, gripping and panting...say nothing of my physical stamina, because no matter what, mentally I couldn't let go.

The woman who introduced me to the Balance Buddy never let go. She ran around our neighborhood like a crazy person, almost being dragged by her son on his bike - but she never let go and he never fell. She looked ridiculous, I knew, but I could understand. How was I going to let go knowing he would be faced with crashing, skidding along the pavement? It was the most metaphorical moment of motherhood.

With sweating brow and an aching bunion, I knew I had to do it; I had to let go.

When I was four I asked my mom if I could buy a 2-wheeler from my friends for $5. She didn't believe me when I said I knew how to ride it. I walked her down the street and showed her how I could ride it and indeed a sale was made.

On Thursday I told my five-year-old that I'd buy him a water bottle holder for his bike if he learned how to ride. On Saturday I was out purchasing one.

Believe in them...push their limits...and they'll delight you.