Dd desperate to ice skate

10 replies

Pawslikepaddington · 08/12/2008 23:42

But she already does swimming, ballet and horse riding. She loves all three, so I don't want her to give any up in lieu, especially as she can get quite put off things that are hard-i.e. ice skating, but I am in no position to teach her myself. The nearest ice rink is an hour and a half's drive away, but we went to an outdoor one a few weeks ago in our town and ever since all she wants to do is ice skate. Should I just take her to our local outdoor one a few more times and hope it passes. She isn't keen on swimming but needs it IMO, and loves ballet and horse riding to pieces. She isn't 5 until March, so would be too tired with 4 things going on.

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thisisyesterday · 08/12/2008 23:43

blimey, I think that's a lot for a 4 yr old!
i would prob put her off and say maybe when she is a bit older.
or, if she goes some more and really really loves it then maybe swap one of the other activities for that.

if she isn't keen on swimming why make her do it?

Original poster

Pawslikepaddington · 08/12/2008 23:46

Because I think learning to swim is as important as learning to read or write. Once she can swim she can choose whether she goes or not, but I just feel it is a necessary evil, so she will be ok if she ever slips near water.

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ramonaquimby · 08/12/2008 23:47

a 4 year old doesn't 'need' swimming - lots of time for that.

and I def wouldn't consider sessions at a rink 90min drive away, esp for a 4 year old. madness! Take her to the outdoor one by all means.

thumbElf · 08/12/2008 23:57

skating at 1.5 hrs drive away is too far. Leave it for a couple more years, when she can swim safely, and then re-think it.
I wanted to skate when I was a child but my mum wouldn't countenance it until I was at least 7. And by then I was doing ballet and horseriding as well so never got to go - she claims she gave me a choice between ballet and skating but that's not true as I would have chosen skating like a shot!!

Original poster

Pawslikepaddington · 09/12/2008 00:02

Argh, sorry, put the emphasis on the wrong bit-I am not taking her on a 3 hr round trip for a 1/2 hour session! What I meant was should I take her again and hope it whets her appitite, or not take her again and hope it passes? There was a little girl in the middle doing all sorts of spins with her coach at the side-if dd hadn't seen her she would have no idea you could have lessons!

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thumbElf · 09/12/2008 00:06

yes, take her to the local one a few more times - if she has a tough time with it she might get bored. Or if she has a fall - very uncomfortable, falling on ice...

If it whets her appetite then you'll know it is something she really wants to do. You could always alternate between horseriding and iceskating - i.e. riding one week, skating the next.

ramonaquimby · 09/12/2008 00:08

think you know your daughter best - take advantage of the local outdoor ones and see how it goes for now. she could be the next British skating sensation

Original poster

Pawslikepaddington · 09/12/2008 00:10

I forget you can alternate these things! I think she may get mad if she falls-I was holding her the whole time last time, and you are on for a full hour, so three more hours may make or break it! And it is quite cheap with our discount cards-much cheaper than lessons, so a viable taster option!

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thumbElf · 09/12/2008 00:33

My mum could only afford to send me horseriding fortnightly, so alternating comes naturally to my brain.

kittybrown · 09/12/2008 12:11

Have you got a rollerskating club or rink near you? That helped us as they learnt to skate and when we finally got to an ice rink they found it a lot easier. It placated them as we have no ice rink near us.

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