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Original poster

Not on a school night.

40 replies

OrmRenewed · 22/03/2010 16:47

DS#1 loves skateboarding. Of all the various things he has got into over the years this is the one that has stuck and he really perseveres with it. He doesn't have formal lessons or belong to a club.

They have a freestyle session at the YMCA two nights a week. He often goes during the holidays or on a Friday. But he wants to go tonight. It's from 6 - 9. I have this feeling that school nights should be sacrosanct. I guess it comes from my childhood. He should be at home, doing hw and chilling out ready for bed.
But as this is his hobby is it OK for him to go? At least he's getting exercise and improving skills and meeting friends. I probably wouldn't mind if he was going to a club of some sort.

What is it OK to do on a school night? He's 13 btw.

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SpringHeeledJack · 22/03/2010 16:48

oh pleeeeease let him

Original poster
OrmRenewed · 22/03/2010 16:49

Do you want to go too jack?

OP posts:
overmydeadbody · 22/03/2010 16:49

He's 13, let him go Orm!!!!!

Far better that he is being active and doing sport than just chillin at home, even if it is a school night.

He will benefit hugely, his concentration will even be better during the day at school if he is very physically active.

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SpringHeeledJack · 22/03/2010 16:50

my ds goes to Woodcraft till 9 one night a week. He might be a bit hard to wake up in the morning- but the benefits are HUUUUUGE

BigTillyMint · 22/03/2010 16:50

Surely he's old enough to go out to a club till 9 now?

As long as he has done all his homework first, of course!

And not every school night.

seeker · 22/03/2010 16:50

My dd is just 14, and doesn't get home from dancing til 7 on a Monday, Pony Club til 8 on a Thursday and Scouts til 10.00 on a Friday. And she survives! Let him go!

Tortington · 22/03/2010 16:51

iw ouldn't have a problem with it

overmydeadbody · 22/03/2010 16:51

It's his hobby, you neeeeed to let him go!!

Poledra · 22/03/2010 16:51

How about going one night a week rather than 2? He obviously enjoys it, it's good exercise and it is really a club, isn't it? And let him know it's on the condition that he does his homework without complaint on the other nights

Disclaimer: 6-yo DD1 has 3 clubs on school nights (swimming, gymnastics and Rainbows, though they all end much earlier).

seeker · 22/03/2010 16:51

But make sure you agree with him BEFORE you say he can go that it's straight to bed when he gets home - quick drink and a biscuit maybe, then bed.

Ivykaty44 · 22/03/2010 16:52

Is there a pile o hw that he has to have in gor the morning?

If not and everything is up to date or not needed for a couple of dyas then I would would let mine be out on a school night

Original poster
OrmRenewed · 22/03/2010 16:52

But it's not a club bigtilly. I think that's my problem. It's just one step away from letting him hang around the skate park till all hours (which he would do if we didn't round him up )

But I think he will go.

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Original poster
OrmRenewed · 22/03/2010 16:53

Well as to hw He says there isn't any. But he has said that before...

However if he gets into trouble tomorrow that's his problem yes?

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nannynobnobs · 22/03/2010 16:53

I would say yes at 13. He will love it and will be socialising in a supervised environment, making friends.

PixieOnaLeaf · 22/03/2010 16:54

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Original poster
OrmRenewed · 22/03/2010 16:57

"supervised environment"

Ah yes! There's the difference I feel better now. He's on the cusp of being feral TBH at weekends - slouching about in his falling-down jeans and his big skate shoes and fringe over his face with a deck under one arm - with only a mobile to contact him on. So I sort of feel we have to keep him confined during the week. Compensation I think.

But yes there are those lovely fresh-faced youth people down at the YMCA Will be fine.

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BigTillyMint · 22/03/2010 16:58

Yes it's his problem if he hasn't done his homework

Is the session supervised, or is he just out with his friends? In the park?

Buda · 22/03/2010 16:59

I would say let him go too Orm. I used to go to a table tennis club one night a week at that age. It was the highlight of my very dull social life!

At least you know where he is. He is getting exercise instead of glued to TV or whatever. And you have something to bribe him with! Always very useful imho.

BigTillyMint · 22/03/2010 17:00

Pixie, is your DD training at a special ballet school? Just wondering at how she gets out of school for 3 afternoons!

stealthsquiggle · 22/03/2010 17:04

I would let him go IIWY - it will be such a great lever to hold over him (i.e. he can only continue to go if.....)

(and it's his hobby, and he'll have fun, and it's good exercise, etc, etc)

PixieOnaLeaf · 22/03/2010 17:07

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cat64 · 22/03/2010 17:09

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Original poster
OrmRenewed · 22/03/2010 17:12

OK. I'll tell him that MN says yes

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GetOrfMoiLand · 22/03/2010 17:17

DD (14) goes to Air Cadets twice a week from 6.30 - 9.30. She does her DofE there as well.

So I think supervised activity is OK. She is not allowed anywhere else on a school night. Actually she is not allowed out in the evenings with her mates at all yet.

Let him go - it all sounds fine as it is his hobby.

stealthsquiggle · 22/03/2010 17:20

Orm - are you also going to warn him that the wrath of MN will descend if he lets us down ?