I don't get to spend a lot of time with my nephew, he and his family live about four thousand kilometres away and it's difficult to find a gap in my schedule and theirs to permit a trip, although we're working on something currently. I miss out on a lot of his growing phase for that reason and while video and phone chats happen every week it doesn't make up for what I'm missing out on.
His dad, my brother, and I have been talking about his progression and how fast he is growing up. He's a smart lad, picks things up easily and has a lot of natural ability which my brother seeks to challenge constantly. He's being homeschooled and at five and a half years old is well ahead of the curve. But school work aside, he needs other challenges and considering his ability on a bicycle it seemed like BMX racing was a natural progression.
Above you can see a picture taken by me at Christmas 2022 when they were down here last; he's on a little bike I bought for him to ride while he was here and while he loved it I think he was a little apprehensive as it felt different to his bike at home.
Below is a picture from the weekend of him on his BMX bike right before a race; he has been doing BMX for a few weeks now and has taken to it well. He's fearless, approaches it with focus and determination and thinks through what goes right or wrong and makes the required adjustments and builds upon his strengths. It makes me very happy to see how he's approaching the challenge.
He had four races that night, the first he came last. The second he came forth, the third he came second and won the last race...by a long long way. That's legit right? I saw the video of the last race taken by his mum and it made me a very proud uncle.
We did a video chat after he left the track and had attended to the most important part of the night (getting pizza with his mum and dad) and I asked how he managed to finally win the last race...he sort of shrugged his shoulders and said, I just focused, found a better line, peddled harder and I won.
That's legit right? If everyone did that, focused, found better ways forward and worked harder they'd find a lot more success in their lives. Here's my five and a half year-old nephew @mrbonkers showing how it's done.
I think it's really cool to see how kids change and progress and how the influences they have help guide them; my nephew has good people around him, his parents, and I like to think I help provide some guidance too...it's the same with my niece @smallsteps who some of you may know from my other brother's posts; both are really progressing, building a solid platform for their futures and make their uncle feel very proud of their ongoing metamorphosis.
Design and create your ideal life, tomorrow isn't promised - galenkp
[Original and AI free]
First image is my own, second is on loan from my sister in-law
One cool post Galen! It is so much satisfaction to watch them grow!
Thanks brother, it was a bit sad writing it because I feel like I miss out on so much of his life due to the distance, but he makes me proud all the time and his parents ensure I'm involved through photos and video chats. I'll take what I can get.
I really which I cold show the video of the last race which he won...he peddled like a crazy-boy, it was hilarious really, and he kicked the other's asses by a long way...but what's the coolest is how that kid is progressing, how he works out problems and just gets on with it; if he continues to do so he'll do well in life I think.
Cool story. He's a bit of a mini you, no? Many kids would have given up after coming in last. He just kept learning, figured it out under pressure. Very nice skill to have!
There's a third brother in your family?
This comment made me smile...from what I think the people on Hive know of galenkp I'd say this is totally a fair comment. 😊
Becca 🌷
We share many qualities @mrbonkers and I...and not just that we're both bonkers. 🤔😁
He's a good lad,so focused and driven to achieve what he sets out to. A good quality.
As for the brothers...four of us and a sister who is the youngest.
You are a very proud uncle and the way you feel about your nephew shines through every time you write about him. It's sweet.
Becca 🌷
Thank you for saying this, he's an easy kid to like and a lot like I was, and my brothers were also, when we were the same age...I guess being bonkers runs in the family.
Ah that’s wonderful to see the little tike taking to something like that. Feels similar to my son getting pretty good at indoor rock climbing - he crushes it vs kids his age and those who are older too. I would love to get my son a bike but damn storage is an issue - one day!
I love his focus and calm attitude for how he won, he analyzed what was happening and made a plan and executed it. Sounds a lot like his uncle!
The video was awesome...you remember Forest Gump and the stop Forest comment when he was running? That's what the little guy was like, peddled like fuck to the end and it was like, "stop me bonkers!" 🤪
It's good to see his #neverquit attitude and yeah, like me for real.
It's cool you've got your lad rock climbing, a good physical activity where the brain needs to contribute... decision making with, will fucken fall if you don't get it right, consequences. Reward for effort, you know?
Winning the last race shows long range stamina. Staying power/will power also.
Pretty kewl. Natural strength characteristics.
He's a good lad and is being raised with good values. He will not be a snowflake when he's older that's for sure. He has a good work ethic too, that comes through in the way he approaches his tasks and challenges and how he deals with the implications of them, dusts off and has another go if he fails. You'd like him.
You are an amazing uncle!!! In case no one told you this today :)
Aww, thanks for saying so...I try to be so it's nice to hear it.
I should drop by daily to remember you then, ha!
While others would back away at sight of the very first obstacle...
Good job, mrbonkers!
He's tenacious, of that there is no doubt; the video of the race was so cool...he just peddled like mad until the end. 😁
He would've beaten this old lady, that's for sure. 😆
I think little boys like this one would run rings around most people. 😉
Becca 🌷
Very easily. 😊
Haha, well this old man too!
It's great that your nephew has progressed and managed to win that last race. I tell you, my son plays soccer and at first he didn't have much skill. He is always his father and I support him and he has already been practicing for two years.Today I see how he has progressed and scores goals. That makes me happy. A pleasure to read you
I love to see people progress, no matter their age, and respect those who do it with hard work and effort rather than it being handed to them...say, a promotion they didn't really work for.
Anyway, good on your son for working at it, well deserved progression!
Getting a little better each time, figuring it out as he goes. That's what it's all about.
I know it made him feel good too.
Yep, he has a way of working things through, the work don't worry ethos that I also have, as does his dad. So, I guess he's going to find his own paths but that will be with the addition of the skills he has been instilled with as a kid, as it was for me.
Cool post, Mate!
I love the way you talk about your nephews. All uncles should be like that.
MrBonkers & Smallsteps are on the right path; they will surely be incredible people. With their respective ages, they show a maturity that few children have nowadays. I enjoy seeing how you share this with the community. You are an amazing uncle (I'm sure even more than what you show here)
Thanks mate, they truly are very cool little people. Both are smart with a good sense of humour and a nice overall personality and they're engaging, meaning they interact well. I'm very proud of them.
Hi Galen, I saw the post this morning, had several thoughts on it. Now with more calm, among all of them one stands out. The normality with which your nephew explains how he won the race. I am struck by how your nephew has incorporated values such as effort, constancy, being focused on goals so naturally. This also speaks well of the adults around him. A hug
He gets a lot of his mannerisms from his dad of course, but is finding his own personality as well. He's so funny sometimes the way he says something or how he looks and it's really hard not to laugh about it in front of him...my nice does the same, just funny little things as they're interacting that are unique to them.
Of course he must have his personality, when I mentioned the influence of adults, I meant that he assumes responsibility naturally, as a game, and I think that's a good thing, and the family must have some merit in this.
Yeah, I knew what you meant. For most at that age influences help shape the personality and character however also I think some is innate, inside the person already.
I also believe that we bring a, I don't know if I should call it a temperament, I'll call it that and that it's innate.
Yep, I agree with you on that for sure, and temperament is a good word for it.
Galen, have a good night, see you tomorrow
That's pretty awesome. We have a mountain bike we bought for my nephew that we keep at the house so when he goes camping with us he has something to ride around the campground. He seems to enjoy it. This looks like a great hobby for your nephew. It's great he is learning to adapt and excel.
He does a lot of things actually, only tonight I saw a video of him playing the Top Gun theme (from the movie) he'd taught himself to play on his violin...at five and a half years old! Lol. It was pretty terrible...but one could make out the song; he wants to be a fighter pilot so loves Top Gun.
He's doing en enduro in a couple weeks, on his bike and a few other things are coming up. He has a diverse set of interests like drone flying, Lego, drawing, biking, the beach (his mum and dad go kite boarding there all the time), kayaking with mum and dad, likes off-roading, camping and...well, he does all sorts of stuff. It's cool.
But yep, as you say...a kid with a bike is often a happy kid.
That is awesome!
Little version of you boss, this is really an extraordinary kid. At his age at 5.5 years and he already joining racing competition,that's amazing., Honestly, I had also a 6 years old kid but he doesn't know how to bike, lol
I guess it all comes down to opportunity and my nephew is given plenty of it...the opportunity to succeed and fail, to try different things and to use the skills and attributes he acquires along the way.
Yes exactly boss, really a great opportunity because he has an uncle which willing to train and guide him. How blessed!
How important is the role of parents in the advancement of children who learn and always challenge them more. Your nephew is beautiful!! And he loves racing. I'm so glad he won that last one and in his response... I think he sounds a lot like the guy.
You must really be very proud of him!
Hug Galen🤗
He's a little champing, a really cool kid and yes, I'm very proud of him.
He looks like his uncle I think!!
From a little bike and now a racer,😊 He is one determined kid. I like how he explained how he won. Which can be applied in aiming a goal. I should remember that in order to win, I have to be focus. The distraction is always there, be it in any kind. Finding better lines, when what I do is not working anymore. Lastly, to peddle harder. I must not forget that in winning requires harder works and determination for the prize that I want to get waiting for me to come. Hope he grows well and continue what he does.
People give up too easily these days, no tenacity, and that's why many achieve only mediocre results. Having determination will help a person progress and that helps them attain their goals eventually.
Wow, he got better with each race. His answer of how he did it was also very matter of factly. As long as he still has that mentality with a lot of things he does, he should do well.
He's a good lad with a bright future and I look forward to being a part of some of it...until I die.
That's great to hear. I bet you're the cool uncle.
Lol...I think I am...his other uncles might dispute that though.
This young, he has come to appreciate focus, hardwork, and then determination as some of the ingredients needed to win in that race, I'm sure he would always trust that their application in other life situations would make for successes.
Yep, he'll build on the lessons he learns in life and use them to good effect later...like everyone should.
Focusing on goal will definitely leads us to the victory as he get :)
Good wishes for him 🍀 ❤️
Goal setting is very important to the process of seeking results...no goals and it's difficult to find the right direction.
Absolutely right, goals help us to find the right direction towards the success ;)
Smart nephew of a smart uncle, I am impressed to read the part about how he won the fourth race. Was it already decided about four races or did he challenged others again n again because he wanted to win one?
It's a set thing, the races, pre-irganised at the BMX club.
Oh okie.
What a cute nephew you got there:)
Sure is.
A kid at five and a half going on such great feat? That's amazing. Kids in my side don't develop that fast.
It's got a lot to do with the effort my bitter and sister in-law put in with him...most parents don't want to (personally) work that hard these days it seems; those who do will get results though.
☺️