Aibu to buy 2.5 year old bike for xmas

[Sothisisshizxlemas]

Livid! Mil said I was rediculous for buying 2.5yr old a bike this Xmas.

Why did she think it was ridiculous? I can think of many reasons why it would be ridiculous (you won't have the opportunity to ride it until the summer so would be better as a birthday present; you live in an area where there is nowhere safe for a child to ride a bike; your child hasn't yet got the motor skills to pedal ... ) But equally it might be fine for your child and your circumstances. Can't really comment without context.

Why on earth would he have to wait until summer to ride it? There were children up and down our cul-de-sac all day on bikes.

Why is that ridiculous? We bought one for my 3 year old who is amazing on his balance bike and ready for pedals. Just

Not ridiculous. I loved it when my 2 year old was zooming around on a bike with no stabilisers. She was amazing at it and Much better than a buggy.

@MaskingForIt

Why on earth would he have to wait until summer to ride it? There were children up and down our cul-de-sac all day on bikes.

Depends where you live doesn't it? Not everyone lives in quiet cul-de-sacs where they can cycle up and down.

and if parents work full time and weekends are full of other activities, there may be not chance to use the bike until evenings are lighter.

That's why I said we need more context ...

Probably younger than average for a pedal bike, I'd be very impressed if he could ride it without stabilisers. But not absurdly young and he'll get the hang of it I'm sure

YANBU.

Both DC got balance bikes when they were 2. Pedal bikes when 3 and 4. Pretty much get new bikes each birthday or Christmas.

My 3 yrs old was pedalling without stabilisers on Christmas morning at the age of 3! YANBU

Not at all ridiculous. DS is just 2 and got a balance bike today. Surely it's better to start them young so they can develop a good sense of balance.

Just out of interest what age did she suggest wasn't ridiculous and why does she think her opinion is more valid than that of the child's parents?

Is the bike or the child 2.5 yrs? What's the context?

My son learnt to ride his at age 3, so not ridiculous at all.

My very nearly 3 year old got a bike this morning too. She got a balance bike last year at just turned two. She was out on it today - whats the issue??

Why are you bothered? You know best! My dd was riding here properly at just turned 4. I know another child that did it still age 3.

Of course you're not. My DS had a balance bike at 18ish months. Bigger balance bike at 3, converted to a pedal bike at just past 4. He's a confident rider now at 5, never had stabilisers.

The trick I found with bikes is that as long as they're light enough for a kid to haul about, they're fine for them to ride.

We bought DS who is 2 and a half balance bike for Christmas today. We have near by places we can take him to use his bike.

I bought DD who has just turned two a (balance) bike today! My other two kids had them at two as well, I think it's quite normal?

What the supposed issue? My 2.5 year old got a balance bike for Christmas. She will be out on it tomorrow as we had no time today.

It's a great present. Your MIL is being daft.

My son was riding a bike without stsbilisers before his 3rd birthday so not ridicilous. Do be careful though as they can take off at speed if they are well balanced and still have a mind of a 2 year old so no hazard awareness. Mine learnt young as he found his brothers old bikes including a balance bike (aged 1.5) in the garage and insisted on riding them. Then having ridden the balance bike for a year he was ready for pedals at 2.5. It is young though.

Both my DC rode balance bikes at 2 and went into pedal bikes at 3. No stabilisers. Don't see why it's an issue

Balance bike? It's totally normal now to balance bike at 2 round the house, then on to pedal bike at 2 or 3.
I guess some people still, especially grandparents who didn't grow up with them, are not familiar with this and are used to children not riding bikes till around 4 or 5.

No regular bike

Op bike with stabilisers then ?

Does it matter? Was it a throw away comment? Who cares? 3 seems young to me but my kids are young too. Forget about it

Agree, nothing odd about abike at that age. DS2 was another one on a regular bike no stabilisers before he was 3, having graduated from a balance bike.