Ice skating party. Too risky?

[Helcat1976]

My 9 year old, boisterous son is invited to an ice skating party 2 weeks before we go skiing. Last time we were there an ambulance was called twice (2 breakages) and I’m aware of a class party a few years ago there where 1 child broke their wrist and another their femur. This would be a party of 16 boys, all at different levels, all fairly competitive and reckless and feels like we would be taking a risk just before going on a skiing holiday for which we have booked ski lessons etc. Would be a nightmare if he broke anything. For the record am not an overly cautious parent - he is a risk taker, is very active and will join in anything wholeheartedly. What would you do? Let him go and just pray he comes away unscathed or tell him he can’t go as it’s too risky?

You could discuss this with your DS, and see how he feels. This won't help you, my DGD went to an ice skating birthday party and was just standing still on the ice, slipped and broke her wrist. She has been ice skating several times since and hasn't come to any harm.

Children can break bones in swing parks, just jumping off a wall or getting out of bed. It is entirely your decision but discuss it with your DS first. Maybe time to check your travel insurance too.

Enjoy your holiday.

The ice skating parties at my rink are instructor led - is this one? If so, then the previous party sounds like it was led by an incompetent instructor. It’s very unusual to have two fractures at one party. If it’s just a case of a public session ticket and no assistance, given that it’s a very large group of boisterous lads I’d say no. Sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. Long term, a short series of group lessons is a good idea. People need to treat skating with the same respect as swimming - you wouldn’t have a pool party for 15 kids that couldn’t swim!

I broke my leg (tibia) ice skating in September whilst supervising a class of pupils. No pupils were harmed but I was off work for 10 weeks! Jane Torville I am not!

I would let him go. I was that child who couldnt do things for fear of the worst. Im not saying your an overanxious parent btw as it may just be specifically this activity.

Well... my son broke his arm skiing, whereas he has never broken anything ice skating despite being a hellion on ice and regularly playing ice hockey.

Where I live kids ice skate a lot and you see very few injuries.

I'd just send him.

In your circumstances, I wouldn’t let him- and I’m a pretty laid back parent. Only ice skating party mine were at, somebody broke their arm. If it wasn’t for your ski holiday, then yes, I’d let him but I think now is not the right time. Could there be a compromise? Like if it’s skating for an hour then food could you take him just for the food part?

Thanks everyone. He’s adamant he wants to go but it’s just the idea of the ramifications of something happening so close to our holiday- which I’ve explained to him. He’s ice skated before and just couldn’t resist racing his friends so I just don’t trust him, especially with 15 others. He’s promised to ‘go so slowly you won’t believe it’ (and no I won’t as he can’t do anything slowly) . I like the idea of a compromise so will explore that as I think there will be food after somewhere and will see what we can do. Thanks for the sanity check!