Comments on: Cycling Around the Decision–Imperfect Parent Style http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/05/19/cycling-around-the-decision-imperfect-parent-style/ Parenting, Politics and News for the Perfectly Challenged Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:13:55 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Ann Marie http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/05/19/cycling-around-the-decision-imperfect-parent-style/#comment-164632 Ann Marie Tue, 20 May 2008 14:56:59 +0000 http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/05/19/cycling-around-the-decision-imperfect-parent-style/#comment-164632 Yeah, I'd say you did the right thing leaving the store in the heat of the moment. And it's his money, I'd let him contribute the $90 and if it makes him happy GREAT, if it makes him regret his purchase later GREAT, lesson learned. We all have spent $ on something and regretted it later. I would have a calm discussion again though before you drive him back to the store to buy the bike explaining again why you think the cheaper bike is a better buy. Yeah, I’d say you did the right thing leaving the store in the heat of the moment. And it’s his money, I’d let him contribute the $90 and if it makes him happy GREAT, if it makes him regret his purchase later GREAT, lesson learned. We all have spent $ on something and regretted it later. I would have a calm discussion again though before you drive him back to the store to buy the bike explaining again why you think the cheaper bike is a better buy.

]]> By: Philly http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/05/19/cycling-around-the-decision-imperfect-parent-style/#comment-164615 Philly Tue, 20 May 2008 13:04:14 +0000 http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/05/19/cycling-around-the-decision-imperfect-parent-style/#comment-164615 I say just let him get the bike. If he has earned and saved his money I see no problem with it. If he doesn't used the bike within a year or two, oh well, he'll learn to think before he spends next time. I say just let him get the bike. If he has earned and saved his money I see no problem with it. If he doesn’t used the bike within a year or two, oh well, he’ll learn to think before he spends next time.

]]> By: Rita http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/05/19/cycling-around-the-decision-imperfect-parent-style/#comment-164605 Rita Tue, 20 May 2008 11:49:51 +0000 http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/05/19/cycling-around-the-decision-imperfect-parent-style/#comment-164605 I need to defend my little bugger here and say that he IS a very tightly wound kid, but it is not the norm for him to have public outbursts like that. Usually his tantrums are more of the stereotypical things for his age, and AT HOME. It's been forever and ever since he's done anything like that in public. It was embarrassing, but it's not typical for him, thank God! As of last night, he still wants The Bike. He talked to his friends about it at school yesterday and they all agreed with him, that he ought to get The Bike instead of the Razr. So, I'm OK with that. It's not an impulse buy at this point, it's what he's thought over, sought outside counsel about and come to as informed decision as a 13 y.o. can make. If he regrets it later, then that's that. I did look on Craigslist, on Ebay and in the local classifieds for The Bike and they don't have it. Like I said, I'd rather just deal with that one at this point than toss another option into the mix. I read reviews and it seems it's actually a GOOD bike. People on genuine cycling forums are giving it a reluctant nod of approval. They hate to say that anything from Target is a decent bike, but most of them do agree it's not a horrible piece of trash they'd rather die than be seen riding. So, that says quite a bit. I guess that's the one he's getting. I need to defend my little bugger here and say that he IS a very tightly wound kid, but it is not the norm for him to have public outbursts like that. Usually his tantrums are more of the stereotypical things for his age, and AT HOME. It’s been forever and ever since he’s done anything like that in public. It was embarrassing, but it’s not typical for him, thank God!

As of last night, he still wants The Bike. He talked to his friends about it at school yesterday and they all agreed with him, that he ought to get The Bike instead of the Razr.

So, I’m OK with that. It’s not an impulse buy at this point, it’s what he’s thought over, sought outside counsel about and come to as informed decision as a 13 y.o. can make. If he regrets it later, then that’s that.

I did look on Craigslist, on Ebay and in the local classifieds for The Bike and they don’t have it. Like I said, I’d rather just deal with that one at this point than toss another option into the mix.

I read reviews and it seems it’s actually a GOOD bike. People on genuine cycling forums are giving it a reluctant nod of approval. They hate to say that anything from Target is a decent bike, but most of them do agree it’s not a horrible piece of trash they’d rather die than be seen riding. So, that says quite a bit. I guess that’s the one he’s getting.

]]> By: Kennedy http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/05/19/cycling-around-the-decision-imperfect-parent-style/#comment-164529 Kennedy Tue, 20 May 2008 04:13:08 +0000 http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/05/19/cycling-around-the-decision-imperfect-parent-style/#comment-164529 He sounds like my oldest son, who's not 13 yet, but almost 12. It's like he can be this mature big brother and then morph into a 3 year old in no time flat over something. I think my son would complain over a bike like that too, but I would stick to my guns. You said you really didn't want him to have THAT bike, so just tell him you're sorry, you made a mistake by giving him that option about using his money to make up the difference, and tell him to pick one of the other bikes. After he has it a couple weeks, he probably will be over not having the other one. That's just my opinion. He sounds like my oldest son, who’s not 13 yet, but almost 12. It’s like he can be this mature big brother and then morph into a 3 year old in no time flat over something. I think my son would complain over a bike like that too, but I would stick to my guns. You said you really didn’t want him to have THAT bike, so just tell him you’re sorry, you made a mistake by giving him that option about using his money to make up the difference, and tell him to pick one of the other bikes. After he has it a couple weeks, he probably will be over not having the other one. That’s just my opinion.

]]> By: Allison G. http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/05/19/cycling-around-the-decision-imperfect-parent-style/#comment-164394 Allison G. Mon, 19 May 2008 16:45:11 +0000 http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/05/19/cycling-around-the-decision-imperfect-parent-style/#comment-164394 Sorry for the public tantrum. That sucks for all 3 of you. I wouldn't have bought the bike at that point, either. It is possible that he might use the bike (like for excersize/fun/mountain biking) even when he does have a driver's license. Just not for commuting. But personally, I would stick with the cheaper bike. I like Kristy's ideas for local/used shopping, though. And as for the buyer's remorse, he may just buy the razr phone and the very next week there could be a newer model that he wish he would have waited to buy. Kids are fickle. They change their minds so frequnetly. Sorry for the public tantrum. That sucks for all 3 of you. I wouldn’t have bought the bike at that point, either.
It is possible that he might use the bike (like for excersize/fun/mountain biking) even when he does have a driver’s license. Just not for commuting.
But personally, I would stick with the cheaper bike. I like Kristy’s ideas for local/used shopping, though.
And as for the buyer’s remorse, he may just buy the razr phone and the very next week there could be a newer model that he wish he would have waited to buy.
Kids are fickle. They change their minds so frequnetly.

]]> By: Rita http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/05/19/cycling-around-the-decision-imperfect-parent-style/#comment-164392 Rita Mon, 19 May 2008 16:33:49 +0000 http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/05/19/cycling-around-the-decision-imperfect-parent-style/#comment-164392 Yeah, I poked around and for THAT bike, the price at Target is about as good as it gets (it's on sale until Saturday). Craigslist doesn't have THAT bike. And, I really don't want to go introducing other options at this point. I think it would only muck up the already thick issue. Either he should get the one he really wants at Target and pay the extra out of his pocket for it, or he should get one of the less expensive bikes there that we're willing to buy outright. I guess there are enough pros and cons to each that we'll just let him make his own decision, which is OK, since it won't be an impulse. But, I did fell like a bad parent giving him options there at the store and then yanking them away, but the situation was just spiraling downward. Yeah, I poked around and for THAT bike, the price at Target is about as good as it gets (it’s on sale until Saturday). Craigslist doesn’t have THAT bike. And, I really don’t want to go introducing other options at this point. I think it would only muck up the already thick issue. Either he should get the one he really wants at Target and pay the extra out of his pocket for it, or he should get one of the less expensive bikes there that we’re willing to buy outright. I guess there are enough pros and cons to each that we’ll just let him make his own decision, which is OK, since it won’t be an impulse.

But, I did fell like a bad parent giving him options there at the store and then yanking them away, but the situation was just spiraling downward.

]]> By: Kristy http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/05/19/cycling-around-the-decision-imperfect-parent-style/#comment-164377 Kristy Mon, 19 May 2008 14:35:35 +0000 http://blog.imperfectparent.com/2008/05/19/cycling-around-the-decision-imperfect-parent-style/#comment-164377 You're 5'9? I'm so jealous!! Oh, wait, not the point... Even though it sucked, it sounds like you were smart not to buy any bike right then. Maybe look on-line for a deal plus free shipping? Craigslist or ebay local? You’re 5′9? I’m so jealous!! Oh, wait, not the point…

Even though it sucked, it sounds like you were smart not to buy any bike right then. Maybe look on-line for a deal plus free shipping? Craigslist or ebay local?

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