To think 33 minutes (driving) is too far for DS's extra curricular activity?

[Allieson]

DS really wants to start ice skating. The closest to us is 33 minutes away (by car) he doesn't do anything else so I'm undecided. He's 10 so old enough for it to not be a spur of the moment thing (he has been asking for a couple of years ).

It's only for an hour lesson! AIBU to think the travelling to and back shouldn't be longer than the actual thing itself!? So WIBU to say no?

I admit that I could take him (I work part time but off on that day).

Absolutely do it, he really wants to and if he doesn't do anything else it's hardly much to ask for........

Get a coffee and sit and watch and smile and encourage him! I've spent so many hours watching my DSs do their activities, sometimes I'd rather be doing something else and the ferrying about is a pain but it's so worth it to see them active and dedicated.

We moved country 6 months ago and I couldn't drive for the first few months (zero public transport and taxis are awful) and I hated not being able to take them to activities!

Is 33mins far?! I would probably draw the line at an hour personally. Use the time to chat with him? It's not his fault there's no rink nearby and he sounds really keen!

When I was a teenager I did beTween 15-20 hours a week of extra curricular music lessons and rehearsals. These ranged from 5 minutes away to an hour away and my parents did this for us without complaint. I'm now a music teacher so it obviously paid off!

Yabu.

I'd do it in a flash. However I'd probably also see if he had a friend who wanted to do it too so we could lift share.

YANBU, too far for ice skating. Unless he is the next male half of Torville and Dean.

He's been asking for several YEARS, you are free when the class is and could take him, and what, you just can't be bothered? 33 minutes is not a long journey - why wouldn't you?

Isn't it enough that he'd enjoy it, and it's irrelevant if he becomes an Olympian, Chloe? He does nothing else, and apparently really wants to?

Chloe really? How in hell is he supposed to find that out if he doesn't go to the rink? And is an olympic medal the only measure of achievement?

YABU

I take my son on a 30-35 min journey each week for his 1 hour fencing lesson. It's a bit of a pain but he loves it and so I do it! I can also talk to him in car and have great conversations I'd never otherwise have! It involves me juggling work too which can be awkward.

Chloe
Why isn't ice skating worthy enough!? hmm]

That's not far at all. You have obviously never lived rurally. Out nearest big town is 40 minutes away and round here that would be a normal distance to travel to activities.

Definitely do it! I spend a lot more than that driving to afterschool activities every week. I think it's great for the dcs. Some people ask why I bother? Because I'm a mother! I make sacrifices for, and prioritise my dcs over myself. Even if I have to scrimp and save for those activities, I will. It's so good for children to have hobbies and try new things

mine wanted to do gymnastics which was an hour's round trip twice a week. I said no. Judging by this thread I'm mean. But they do loads of other activities.

Because he doesn't do any other clubs I would. The reality is that clubs take only 66 minutes a WEEK. A lot of parents do lots of little club trips each week plus waiting around club time.

Also you can chat to your son while traveling and then sit with a flask of coffee and look through emails/texts/diary/write food shopping lists while you're there

DS does climbing, 15 miles away 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic, I love this time with him chatting, and he loves the climbing

I would do it if it's only once or twice a week and you can afford it. I must admit I couldn't cope with that long a trip every day at 4 am like some supermoms I see with little skating stars. But if it's not so often I think it would be a nice bonding time to chat in the car.

Of course it's not too far - take him. Children remember these things, let him have a positive experience now learning to skate, and good memories in the future when he remembers how you prioritised his interests. Time in the car can give you a great chance to chat as he gets older.

Wait a minute, by your reasoning, would no one do anything that wasn't really nearby and convenient? Isn't that like, going back in tine to, I dunno, at the very least the fifties?
Of course you should take him!
When I started doing yoga when I was 20 and living in London (in 1975) I would happily travel hours all over London for classes, I'd get up at 6 am on a Saturday to travel by bus and tube right across London for a class starting at 10. It's called loving what you do. I became a yoga teacher, from that love.

He's ten years old and he's been asking for two years? He really, really wants to do it!

I live in a large city. Pretty much everything takes that time to get to. Mostly on foot.

I would draw the line if this was one of many activities, but otherwise I would definitely do it and stay and watch. But then I'm interested in my DCs interests and development.

If you really dislike driving, I could understand your concern, but if it's only about the time, do it.

Ice-skating is a useful life skill to have. Well it is at Christmas when all the ice rinks appear and people want to go ice-skating with work - happened to me last year and I had to decline because I never learnt to skate. I could have learnt as there was one near where I lived as a child (it's gone now and is a shopping centre) and I wish I had learnt. I don't think it's something you can start at 45, definitely better at 10.

If you can afford it then I'd let him do it, I'd much rather my DCs did an activity like that then hang round streets or on the computer.

Is there something close by to the ice rink that you could do while he's there? A gym, nice walk etc so you're both getting 'you' time?

Everyone I know commutes to work longer than this a day, then has to fit in the rugby, swimming, riding, gym lessons after the commute home. I don't think it's a biggy once a week if he does nothing else.

He doesn't do anything else and has been asking to do this for years? Please say yes.
Besides, I use car journeys to have nice chats with my son as he is a captured audience! We also take homework and he does it then too. 33mins is not long for a club.