My 15 year old daughter rode with me to the bus!!!

Stop the press!
I am so proud of her. I was all high fiving her and jumping up and down. She thinks I'm a freak. 7 miles, and it took us about 35 minutes with some monster hills. There's no way to do it without hills.
I am trying to think of a good carrot to keep her riding... she wants to paint her bike, so I said we'd get model paints and she was like, "they're too expensive" (she doesn't know expensive. Try auto insurance, registration, gasoline...) My wheels were turning. If she paints the frame, that means taking everything apart, where she (and I) learn how the bike comes apart and gets put back together. What a great winter project!

Last week I had street tires put on her bike and a nifty wire basket for the back rack. She definitely kept up a good pace. I rode my Jamis with loaded panniers (all my garden veggies for folks at work) in order to slow me down some. I think we averaged probably 10-12 mph.

Yay!

Any ideas on carrots for her? She's an artist, so I guess art supplies are a good incentive. But she is also an only child, and because she asks for so little, usually gets everything she wants immediately upon request - because mostly it's for art and I consider that tools of the trade. So she has little sense of working towards something - in fact she gets a little disgusted when I say, "I'll get you such and such" because she thinks such and such is expensive and she'd rather make her own money and buy it herself. But the problem is, she hates babysitting (even though she's good at it) and that's how you make money right now, at 15. So I am kind of in a pinch... I want her to learn "value" but I don't want her to be overwhelmed, either. And in my head I'm shopping for lights, knickers, a new helmet (hers is old), a high-vis jacket...

What a GREAT accomplishment! Horray for both of you.

As for a reward....lemme think. As an artist/photographer/writer myself I find a small digital camera invaluable to carry with me for capturing ideas for drawing/painting/writing and video recording of bike related things.

The price has dropped significantly on very good high quality point and shoot cameras. Look into the Nikon L series. My L5 goes with me everywhere.

I am so jealous of you!!!! I try to get my daughter (17) to ride with me all the time. I have used just about everything I can think of for an incentive. Not even the old Mighty cash will make her budge. You are so lucky. At this point I would run out and by her a brand new bike if she would just show some interest. At this point in our lives she really doesnt want to do anything with me anymore unless its shopping and thats because gas is so expensive and she would rather use my gas. I think the whole project of taking the bike apart to paint would be a great project. I'd like to be there too. LOL. Enjoy her!

How about a special girls night out as an incentive? Maybe a spa day or shopping and a nice restaurant or movie, or even a short trip?
My husband and I rode with my 15 year old son to his girlfirend's house, 10 miles, and it did him in. The husband and I continued on for 30 more miles. I don't know if I should be happy or sad that 2 "closer to 50 than 40" year olds are more fit than the kid.

not sure if this will make sense in text...I am not good with the written word as well as the spoken word, but let me try:

Since she is insistent on earning her way (a very good thing you have done there mom!!!) Do some math...figure out how much she is saving by riding her bike and use that $$$ as a gift...make her earn her reward by adding up the savings. If you want to buy something for her now you could go ahead and buy it and deduct the price as she rides. (as a photographer myself I like the camera idea...I am a Canon person and have a little snappy that goes with me everywhere as well as a nicer one for "planned" shots)

I think your winter project idea is awesome...start going with ideas now and hitting the sales at your paint stores for discount paints...

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Originally Posted by MrsB

At this point in our lives she really doesnt want to do anything with me anymore unless its shopping and thats because gas is so expensive and she would rather use my gas.

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How bout if you offered to RIDE to the mall with her, and if she insists on driving, have your daughter "rent" your car by paying how much it costs you to drive per mile?

Ex: If you drive a 2003 Ford Explorer (4wd), it costs $6.23 to drive 25 miles just counting cost of gas. If I was a teen, I might think twice about driving around if I had to pay for it every time I borrowed Mom's car...

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Originally Posted by bouncybouncy

not sure if this will make sense in text...I am not good with the written word as well as the spoken word, but let me try:

Since she is insistent on earning her way (a very good thing you have done there mom!!!) Do some math...figure out how much she is saving by riding her bike and use that $$$ as a gift...make her earn her reward by adding up the savings. If you want to buy something for her now you could go ahead and buy it and deduct the price as she rides. (as a photographer myself I like the camera idea...I am a Canon person and have a little snappy that goes with me everywhere as well as a nicer one for "planned" shots)

I think your winter project idea is awesome...start going with ideas now and hitting the sales at your paint stores for discount paints...

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I like this idea!
Thank you!!!

Mmm. Artist. Paint a bike. Where does this lead?

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Originally Posted by SouthernBelle

Mmm. Artist. Paint a bike. Where does this lead?

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Plus, hates babysitting but wants to earn money.

Answer: Start painting custom designs on bike frames for pay.

Air brushing would be the way to go.

Does she have a kit?

Perhaps another long-term "carrot", is to take a more exploratory approach when cycling with her to discover new things along the way.

Cycling becomes another creative active and healthy way to explore the world. Always approach it from that with her.

Creative types do not like conform solely to someone else's expectations or constantly to group stuff. I say this as someone who was like daughter at her age and even now, am still like that. And after observing a niece and my partner's daughter who are also both creative, do art on their own time, etc.

Your daughter is probably very happy to explore her passions on her own, at her own pace and cycling can heighten artistic Muse.

At some point, you might want to plan an interesting short trip in your area that might lead to some beautiful scenery, gallery, etc.

Wouldn't be neat if there was an artists' studio tour where you and her would cycle to 3-5 different studios? I've done this several times both locally in Toronto and Vancouver, also out-of-town trips. It's a wonderful way to combine cycling, art and inspiration.

In southern British Columbia, we have a number of artist's studio tours annually, some on the islands, or through beautiful areas. Fall would be particularily awesome with the fall colour (if you live in the right area) for a ride and studio touring.

Wow. So many ideas.
She is definitely one who does not like to conform to others' expectations.
I have to tread very very carefully.

Airbrushing - she doesn't have her own kit yet. That's definitely a thought.

I was an artsy teenager who loved to ride my bike. Although I think it was more to my parents' dismay! However, I think they liked it that I used the bike for lots of exploring. I would have adored the chance to paint up my bike, or even have a junk one to paint up and try to sell. I painted our entire basement, chairs, doors, hiking boots - the bike would be an awesome next step!

The instructables site has many how-to's on bike painting. This one was especially interesting since they went for a fairly complicated pattern.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Bike-Painting-Tips/

Last night we did 11 miles home from the tricky park and ride and I took some pictures (I will post pics as soon as I download them). She showed me her new trick - riding without hands - much to my worry and near-dismay as she gleefully no-handed at every opportunity. As we got closer to home, on a gentle downgrade I buried my inner mom and joined her, riding side by side, waving our arms like swans. For a half minute. Then I yelled at her to knock it off.

She is proud of herself and I feel blessed.

Unfortunately, this morning we got a mile down the road and she came to a screeching halt to turn around and go back for her phone and keys and bus pass. So, we ended up taking the truck to the bus. But we'll ride tomorrow. As long as the weather and the sunrise/sunset times cooperate... and then maybe, with lights, we can keep doing it.

That's awesome! One of the things I liked the most about being a teenager on a bike is that (at least in the daytime, I was NEVER allowed to ride at night) I wasn't as dependent on adults for a ride to places. It gave me a "safe" independence as I teen which I really appreciated. Once she gets used to that, it might be all the incentive she needs :)