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Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Parenting Experience: What a difference a Great ride-on makes!

When my elder son, Lucas, was turning one, we were excited to get him a ride-on toy for Xmas. We got a very exciting looking ride-on plane. It was going at a discount and had spinning soft blades that light up with a press of a button. Great music and an additional shape sorter make it an irresistible, value-for-money Xmas present for him.

The ride-on was not a disappointment. Lucas was pleased with the special effects and had a go at shape sorting. Since he was already happily cruising around on his feet, he enjoyed pushing the ride-on plane around the house. Then, we tried putting him on the plane. After all, it was a ride-on and we really envisaged him "flying" the plane in no time. However, Lucas (and us) had a rude shock when he tried to sit on it. Somehow, the ride-on was too tall for him and it easily allowed Lucas to fall off its sides. Lucas lost confidence. After a few tries, we gave up. We thought that maybe he was not ready.

Little did we knew then, that the ride-on plane remained as a shape sorter on wheels for another year. Lucas quickly moved on to other toys although he still spinned the blades and sorted the shapes now and then. Finally, he became the pilot of the ride-on, but only when he was so much older.

At one, my second son, Lewis, was luckier than his elder brother. He had a choice of either riding his elder brother's plane or his own Bobby Car. As predicted, Lewis did not go for the tall plane with a challenging center of gravity. He sat on the Bobby Car, without struggle and with little help. We got Lucas a Bobby Quad since he was already three and he instantly zoomed around the house with it.

Lewis, now 18 months,
on his BIG Classic Bobby Car Police,
with  added Multi Sound Wheel
Although Lewis was at first apprehensive and careful, he sat comfortably on the Bobby Car and watched his elder brother zoomed by. In no time, he conveniently pushed his feet against the floor and started exploring around on wheels.

As I write this blog today, my sons are chasing each other on wheels. Yes, Lewis is barely eighteen months but he is already an expert rider on the Bobby Car. Although Lucas is much older, that did not give him any advantage once Lewis is 'armed' with the Bobby Car. The boys have fun giving chase and I can see that Lewis is very confident on the smooth ride-on. He owns the car. He has control of it. He raced it. He zoomed around more confidently than how his toddling feet would take him today. It is brilliant!

With our own experience with the Bobby Car, we appreciate the value of a Great ride-on from a Great maker. It makes our decision to purchase the ride-on plane some years back a shame. As parents, we learn too as our children progress from milestones to milestones. When it comes to a ride-on, we have learnt the values that a truly good ride-on brings. Confidence, motor skills, fun. That is why we recommend the Bobby Car. It feels good to know that we sell something that will bring the right proposition to parents and children!

Find a BIG Bobby Car here at www.bobbycar.com.sg