I shocked some of my friends recently with a controversial parenting decision.

No, it doesn’t involve one of my kids getting a tattoo.

Drum roll…I’m paying someone to teach my 2 younger kids how to ride a bike.

Judging by the reaction of some of my friends, not being the one to teach your kid how to ride a bike is akin to passing your baby off to a wet nurse in the delivery room to take care of for the first 2 years.

I jest, but apparently most people view teaching a kid to ride a bike as more of a child-rearing function (like potty training and the “talk”) than just a matter of your kid learning a new skill.

I have taught kids how to ride a bike, 2 in fact. With my 2 older kids, I did the balance bikes and the training wheels. I listened to the frantic screams of “don’t let go mommy” while running in a hunchback posture behind the bike, gripping the saddle for dear life.

Been there, done that. My (older) back needs a break.

Should parents be the ones to teach their kids how to ride a bike? What parenting duty would you love to outsource? Leave a comment and let me know.

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