Dh won’t ice skate

You can’t moan he won’t go if you won’t go.

Me and dh can both skate him backwards and fast, I skate around taking the photos and stopping younger ones falling over and teaching stops.

But despite that last time we skated he broke his ribs. Skating can be dangerous so if you’re genuinely not happy to do it don’t and also don’t force others.

What if you took her somewhere to learn to roller skate first, that would probably put her in a better position for ice skating?

The thing is, you can’t dictate that ice skating is the one thing he MUST do, just because it’s the one thing you WON’T do! If you think he doesn’t do enough with her, talk to him about that, but he will need to choose things he can tolerate, like you do. If he really doesn’t want to do anything with her, that’s sad and pathetic, but you can’t force him to be a good father and it’s ultimately his loss.

If neither of you can stand to go ice skating, then either someone else takes her, or you book lessons, or she doesn’t get to go.

If neither of you can skate then you’ll be as much use to her on the ice as a chocolate fireguard. Isn’t lessons/penguin clearly the answer?

I wouldn't be able to do it , so I wouldn't expect my husband to do it.
Imagine if you forced him to do it and he broke his leg / arm ?
Is he able to come and watch both of you do it?

Not true. There are no skating lessons at schools in Canada. Yes, most kids start skating at 2-3 yrs old but it’s on the parents to take them.

Or Narnia

Maybe in Lapland

I won't ice skate. I have zero balance. My older DC is reasonably good. I had to go on the ice with him recently because under 10s needed an adult and he was whizzing around while I was grimly gripping the side and reluctantly moving to let people get past me. The one time I let go, I fell flat on my face and badly bruised my chin.

Not a pleasant hour and not one I'll repeat in a hurry. Either my DH will have to do the ice skating in future or we'll have to sign DC up for lessons.

I don’t enjoy it and wouldn’t be happy if my DH felt I should because he does other stuff with DC. It’s ok to say no. Or you both suck it up and do it together. Have you asked him what would he like to do / take off your plate in terms of activity with DC?

I really hurt my leg ice skating on New York so no,
I would t do it with DS. What things do you? Ice skating is not like going to soft play or a bounce place!

Neither of you want to ice skate, it’s not a DH issue as such. Understandable, it’s not for everyone. Get her a few lessons, or you know, just say no this time. If her dad doesn’t do much with her that’s a separate issue, maybe find something they both do want to do together.

Yabu. You won't do it as much as dh. Tbh I totally understand why. Get some lessons for DD if she is keen

My own children learned to skate on outdoor rinks - basically frozen ponds. They grew up in an alpine area. They are really good and can easily pick themselves up if they fall. Far more resilient than me. I think that skating can be hard for adults.

do you have any friends or family that would take her? I always take my nieces and nephews because I love it and their parents don't, and would happily take any of my friends' kids as well if they wanted (if they paid for the child and were around to watch just in case anything happened).

I think it's fair enough for him to not want to do it if you also don't (and as pps have pointed out, someone who can't skate themselves and doesn't want to be there probably won't be much help or result in a fun outing), but you've got a bigger problem if he never does anything at all with her.

Can you find a friend to go with who does enjoy it? One of our neighbour’s teenagers love skating so I’m going with them and my daughter for her first try and the teenagers will look after my little one on the ice.

Take her with a friend so they can skate together? I used to skate every week - sometimes twice a week. I was fast and confident, zooming round the ice going forwards and backwards, squealing as boys engaged in ice based flirting by spraying me and my friends with slushy ice. Then i didnt skate for 30 years. i genuinely though it was something you'd never forget. I stepped onto the ice at the age of 45, almost immediately my feet went from under me and I landed on my tailbone. It gave me trouble for the next 2 years. My skating days are over and falling on ice REALLY hurts.

I dislocated my shoulder ice skating on a Christmas themed ice rink. Will never take the DC and DH won’t either due to what happened to me. DC understand, for us there are too many risks

We paid for beginner group lessons at the rink for our 2. It was really cheap and both learned really quickly. Taught them all the basics within a few weeks. Didn’t take long and they didn’t need - or want - me on the ice with them.

Unless he can skate well himself, it’s a silly idea. Book lessons, as everyone says.

Only if you live in Canada

If she wants to ice skate then pay for her to have lessons so she can do it independently. Holding onto an adult or using a penguin gives the wrong posture and stops the child being able to push the skates properly.

It’s a quick and enjoyable hobby for a child to pick up. It’s harder for an adult to reach the same standard in time.

You can't let a 7 year old go by herself.

See if you have any friends who can skate. I have taken my friend's kids

Take her and a friend and you spectate. Seems pretty straightforward, and that’s how I remember skating being when I was very young. Me and friend(s) would blunder round a few times til we got our balance and then we were away.

When I got a bit older, about 11-12 ish I did lessons for a few years and it’s one thing I’m grateful for, as I have my own skates and I can still skate, which is a bit of an unusual thing in the wider population, as not many people live close enough to an ice rink to really learn.

YABVVU
I love ice skating. So sad to read about injuries and burnout.
If your DH doesn't want to skate, don't pressure him.
Those pop-up ice rinks are no fun at all anyway. Either overcrowded and boring, or else got drunk young men blundering insanely around - no place for children.