to be miffed at dd's new bike ...

[PlonkerForLifeNotJustChristmas]

...because despite measuring her inside leg carefully before ordering, the bike is still a good 2/3" too big for her and she'll be lucky if she can ride it in summer, never mind any time soon

Dd is desperate to go on it but can't even touch the floor on her very tippy toes never mind flat-footed!

Dh has checked and can't lower it any further

I'm just glad I hadn't sold her old bike as was my original plan ...!

Why not buy (or if you can borrow) a really cheap 12 inch bike (maybe 2nd hand) and let her learn on that and then she can use the isla bike when she grows into it?

What did your DD2 ride when she was 4?

I would say that DD got her Isla balance bike for christmas last year at 2yrs 3 months and could barely get on the saddle with it at its lowest point.

A year later, the saddle post is nearly at maximum stretch - according to our scientific Grandma's garage door measuring chart, she's grown about 3 or 4 inches in a year.

I know it doesn't help you this minute, but, having got a bike that was a bit too big at Christmas, DD definitely fitted on it by the summer.

Thats a good idea, thanks. Tt's definitely something to consider ...

Dd2 learnt on dd1's old bike. It was already quite battered and has long since gone to the scrapyard, unfortunately.

I reckon I could ask about to see if anyone has an old one they're finished with, or look on freecycle. Dd is already pretty attached to the isla so it does seem a shame to send it back.

Oooh thanks Auntie - that's just the scientific evidence I need to persuade me to keep the isla

It is rather lovely, even if wrongly advertised

Plonker - I would keep the Isla and tell her she needs to keep riding that until she's taller. If it comes to spring when she's going to be using it a lot if she still doesn't fit the Isla get a cheap smaller bike (try freecycle, always loads on ours!) to bridge the gap. You are right not to go down the stabiliser route.

I have just taught my friends 6 year old to ride a bike without stabilisers... she can't touch the ground without tipping the frame - but with one afternoon of exhausting me and getting a few bumps she has it sussed! and it has to be said, she is not the worlds lightest or most co-ordinated child - not by a long shot!!

For anyone else out there reading this, IMO, the earlier they ride without stabilisers the better, they are far less scared of it at 3 than they are at 6 so they do better at it quicker!

Yes, I think that's what I've decided I'm going to do Chipping, thanks

See profile pics for excuse to post pics of DD evidence - Oct 09 to Nov 10.

Ah lovely

Very cute AB :)

Plonker, considering I typed 'that' instead of her balance bike I'm suprised you knew what I was on about.

I rarely read my posts again, but when I do I sometimes wonder where I left my brain?! LOL

You'll be amazed how much she grows by summer :)

lol I knew what you meant

She adores her balance bike so I don't think it'll be too hard to reason with her once she's got over the disappointment of not being able to ride her shiny new bike.

I was going to sell her rothan to put towards the cnoc - I'm sooooo glad I didn't!

Just a little update in case anyone is interested ...

Dd is now proudly zipping around on her pedal bike

She can just about touch the floor with her tippy toes and can stand balanced on the floor if it's tipped slightly to the side. It took less than 10 minutes of dh holding her coat as she rode and then off she went.

Fantastic!

Am very glad we decided to keep the bike and am amazed that she's grown about 2 inches in 3 months!