Dh won’t ice skate

[Alwayseatingpringles]

Dd, 7 desperate to go ice skating (has only done it when little on a kids ice rink, holding onto one of the penguin things.
Now she’s a little older, there’s a bigger rink nearby at Christmas. She always asks Dh to go with her and he says no.
i do so many things with Dd, I don’t want to
ice skate, but I feel bad for Dd
Should she try on her own and we watch? I know she would probably need help, all I see is dads helping their kids

Would your Dh do it?

Aibu?

I tried with my kids, numerous times. I was useless, and spent most of the time on my arse, or sprawling headlong across the ice.😂. But I always tried, as it was hilarious for the kids, who were much better than me 😂❄️⛸️

I'm going to hazard a guess ... Canada?

Those penguins look far too heavy, we use light weight frames that even little toddlers can easily push along (we also use chairs, my son learnt with a chair when he was in nursery)

Is your husband remotely sporty. Mine isn't ( dyspraxic) and would definitely fall frequently.
Is your husband self employed in a role that requires driving/ 4 fully functioning limbs..
If he couldn't drive for many weeks because of broken arm/ ankle would that cause huge inconvenience to your family life
If he falls and puts his hands out to break his fall, and breaks both wrists, are you willing to wipe his arse until the plaster cases come off.
None of these things are certain but you can't rule any of them out 100%

I grew up in Russia so ice skating was a big hobby of mine as a kid. I ended up falling one time and shattering my wrist. Needed surgery and still have problems with it 20 years on.

Haven't set foot in an ice rink since and my dc won’t be going either.

I would take mine to anything but not ice skating. It's very scary. He should do activities with his daughter but I think skating is too much to ask.

I took my DD a few years ago at Hampton Court - I used to skate as a kid and thought I would be ok, I was not....far more aware at 50+ that I don't bounce if I fall anymore. DD11 picked it up quickly while I hung onto the side or embarrassed myself slipping round clinging to an penguin.......all while my DH sat in the warm bar pissing himself at me while drinking a pint. DH is 6'5 and has less coordination that me and I took this one for the team. He was the tree climber, cycling teacher and things I didn't want to to do.

Probably not the UK!
Schools do ice skating lessons in my country too, my son actually learnt in nursery as the nursery was right next door to the ice rink.

I was quite confident as a teen, but in my 30's fell and hurt my knee. Couldn't even bear the duvet or a trouser leg on it for weeks. I love the idea of it, but it's actually very dangerous. It doesn't really matter that it's "the one thing you don't want to do" - you can't use that as an excuse to force someone else to do something that is difficult and dangerous.
Another vote for a course of lessons for DD.

Most ice rinks , whether they be permanent or temporary, are full of Yoofs speed skating and showing off. I would take your young dC for a few lessons when the rink is quiet.
Ican't skate. Apparently being born in the same hospital as Robin Cousins does not imbue you with skating abilities.

I broke my arm
ice skating (as an adult), not sure I will go again.

I found it really helped to roller skate first.

I don’t know anyone who got a head injury from skating though - riding yes.

You can’t complain that he won’t then!

I have been a few times with my son and my DH too. It’s hard work as a newbie and you end up holding them up and falling yourself. Get her lessons… then watch! But don’t moan about him!

What? No 😂. They barely get swimming these days

I grew up in the small market town that was home to Robin Cousins skating coach. I can't skate either. I am very disappointed

Can he actually skate, OP? If he can and he's able to manage a rink then I think it's slightly mean of him not to take her. If he's never gone or is terrible at it then I absolutely don't blame him. My DH learned as a kid, is reasonably confident and has taken our daughter a couple of times. If he hadn't I would absolutely not want him to be in charge of our child whilst trying to stay upright on an ice rink. Get her lessons if she's really keen.

I took my DC to a Christmas pop up one. I didn’t skate. Every time someone fell the noise of the thump on the ice just went through me. Your DH is NBU. You don’t want to either - probably for the same reasons! Get together with a friend, let the kids go on and the adults watch.

I can't skate to save my life - maybe better now after decades of horse riding (strengthens ankles and gices you geeat balance), but not going to try.

I went on a day ice skating with work colleagues a long time ago. We went for ice cream afterwards. One of the girls said "when you said you were really bad I thought you were exaggerating ". Yes, I am THAT bad.

So, unless DH is able to skate, I'm team DH.

I had never once ice skated when dh (who had) took dd1, 5, on the ice. I was left with dd2, 3, watching, but she really wanted to try.

So we got skates on, and I took her, in fear and trembling, expecting to go arse over breakfast time (as my DF used to say) at any second.

I was amazed to not only be able to stay upright, but to tentatively enjoy it! I went many times afterwards,

Do have a go, OP, you may well surprise yourself!

Does he do anything with his own DD?

If both you and DH are nervous but DD is determined, then avoid right now; but don't wait until next midwinter/Xmas, when every random novice piles on for a go, and the uncoordinated unpredictable scrum makes it even scarier. Find somewhere in the off-season, sign her up for lessons, maybe the designated skating parent(s) too. Then when next winter rolls around you'll both/all be ready and confident.

I do a lot with my DC but there are a few things that I would consider up to their dad to organise - things he specifically enjoys and has an interest in and which i either hate or would be terrible at. He doesnt do it so the DC dont do those things.

They know that I organise, facilitate and pay for virtually everything that they get to do and that if they want to do certain other activities then they need to pester their dad

I am so sorry op but YABU here. I speak from hard won and sad experience. Dd aged seven (same age 😱) DH and I all went ice skating. DH and DD for first time, me having gone very occasionally as a child and therefore keen for DD to enjoy an experience she had wanted for a while. We had hardly got our skates on...on the ice about 10 minutes ..dd inevitably falls .. I" m careful not to make a big deal of it so that she has a calm 'learning' experience... Just as we do in the swimming pool 😀 except at pool dh is a strong swimmer. Here at the ice rink my childhood confidence has left me and DH and I are clinging onto the side for dear life 😱 Go on I say ...go and help DD get up and encourage her. DH zigzags across the ice, knocking 2 kids down on his way and . bending over to help DD ...skates over her thumb!! 😱😖😭 Result ...a quick dash to A and E ...stitches in thumb and anti tetanus injection for DD. An experience never to be forgotten ..and just like your DH my DH hadn't wanted to go in the first place. Leave well alone I say 😱🥺😏😔😁

Ice Skating is quite a dangerous activity

You won't do it, he won't either

So she does lessons or hopes her friends take her or waits till she's older

I always wanted to go on rollercoasters when I was younger but neither of my parents liked them or wanted to go on them and wouldn't pay for theme parks as it would have been a waste. So I had to wait until school was going and then go with friends as an adult.

If he knows how to ice skate well and says no, or won’t do alternatives then you’re right
but otherwise YABU - probably fills him with dread, for him and/or your daughter