AIBU? I don’t think 12 yr old son should roller blade during his one hour exercise slot. Cycling walking fine.

[Lucyloula]

Please help sort a family dispute.

My son has recently discovered the joys of roller blading (I don’t blame him, I loved it too at that age and introduced him to it) trouble is. I can’t help but feel it is too much of a ‘leisure’ activity at the moment given the current lockdown.

We get one outing a day and it needs to be efficient. Running, cycling or a fast walk. Get out and get home. I feel like roller blading is too unstable and is somehow not in keeping with the current mind set of the nation.

Husband and son think I’m crazy. It’s exercise. What’s my problem. It just doesn’t sit right by me. Please tell me I’m being unreasonable, if indeed I am? Hope you’re all keeping well In this crazy world we find ourselves in.

You've gone round the bend. You're 12 year old doesn't need to be in touch with the tone of the nation when getting his one chance to be outside!

Do you really have a time limit?

If it's just about maximum efficiency why even go for a walk, just get the whole family to do a HIIT workout in the living room. A tabata workout is the hardest around and can be done in under 10 mins.

Because that would be boring and horrible? Let him have fun I say.

YABU

I accidentally clicked YANBU but you are!

I can’t help but feel it is too much of a ‘leisure’ activity at the moment given the current lockdown.

We don't all have to don our hairshirts - fun hasn't been outlawed! It's a social lockdown, not a penitent martyrdom.

Part of the reason for exercising being allowed is that DC really struggle without that outlet. They need their 30 minutes (or whatever) of fresh air fun. Some kuds want to run, some bike, some hop - others rollerblade or skateboard. Relax, so long as you are observing the rules of distance and frequency, how you do it is unimportant. Embrace the lighter moments in all this, learning or perfecting a new skill is valuable.

You’ve lost the plot OP! Calm down a bit ok.

Let him do what he wants - if it’s physical and fun. There are far bigger things to worry about right now.

Relax OP. Life is much more enjoyable when you do.

You don’t like it because it’s fun and you think he shouldn’t be having fun at a time like this.

You’re wrong.

If we all die of Covid later in the year, it’d be a shame to have spent our last few weeks frantically trying to plan home school timetables and doing exercise we hate. Now is a great time to have fun! And there is no reason why exercise should be fast and grim, as long as you can find somewhere to do it where you’re well away from everybody else, why not have a lovely time?

Go take a look in the mirror and tell yourself to be more fun.

Crap. I voted YANBU and I meant to vote YABU!!
I have a 12 year old.
We're staying in.
FFS, he shouldn't be off out rollerskating in my opinion.

I think I need to go to bed - the results of the poll threw me lol.
Seriously, there's that many that think going for a rollerskate or indeed out and about running is OK?
We're supposed to be staying in as much as possible. I don't get what's so hard

he isn’t very stable on them

That's the bit which would worry me. Can he use them safely? If he's likely to come a cropper, then I'd be inclined to say no.

Because you're also supposed to get exercise? I don't understand what's hard to understand about that

My reservation would be a higher risk of falling and needing medical intervention (thinks broken bones) compared to other forms of exercise. But at 12, finding a form of exercise that he enjoys is a good thing at an age when many of his peers will want to do little other than gawp at screens. On balance the benefits of being active outweigh the risk of injury.

1hr slot? First I've heard of that.

Where has this 'one hour' thing come from?

OP, I agree with you.

My dds wanted to go out on roller skates and I said no. They are both experienced indoor roller skaters, but not outdoor, and I was worried about them scraping skin off, broken bones etc, and needing medical treatment.

I do not think they are suitable for pavements, as it would be difficult to avoid passers by quick enough, speed is difficult to control.
I've said bikes, running or walking. It is not the school holidays.

I discouraged my eldest from skating, she is proficient, but still had a fall and nasty scrape last week. Would rather they don't do anything too risky at the moment. Have also asked them to be extra careful on the trampoline, no flips or anything.

if you are confident he is stable enough he can steer himself away from other people and sensible enough to make sure he doesn't infringe on the 2m distancing (such as going around a corner at speed), I dont see why not in principle.

Others have made good points about getting injured. A&E is not a place you want to be just now.

Saw a kid out on a hoverboard today (they don’t even hover what’s the point!!!) with what I presume was both her parents

YAB completely and utterly U but I think you've got that message already. Let the kid have some fun!!!!!

@GrandTheftWalrus @MorrisZapp the health minister said something along the lines of "if you can get out for exercise you are better prepared mentally for the next 23 hours indoors" i don't think she actually meant it as " take an hour" but a lot of people are taking it that way given the lack of clear guidance on what they actually mean.

I was thinking more dangerous than cycling - especially as a beginner, and thus unnecessary risk and strain on the NHS.

But because it's a bit frivolous? JFC OP you sound fun. Have you also banned dancing and biscuits?