From the article: Youth Sports Profile: Kids' Ice Skating
When your child tries a new sport for the first time, it's a learning experience for both of you. What have you discovered, the hard way, as a skating mom? What advice would you give to parents of kids starting out? Share your tips on everything from competition outfits to pep talks to dealing with crummy coaches or disappointing performance. What do you love—or hate—most about being a skating mom? Share Your Tip
Know that USFSA number
- As soon as your child is in a basic skills class she will get a number from the US Figure Skating Association. Write it in a handy place like your planner, put it on your phone, memorize it or all three. You will need to use it a lot!
- —Guest Ellen
Invest in warm boots - for yourself!
- This sounds silly, but with the amount of time I spend at ice rinks, I realized I needed some really warm, comfy boots. They help my feet stay toasty, which makes practices and volunteer work time pass more easily.
- —Guest Katya
look ahead
- when your skater first starts you will definitely need to know what they want out of the sport and plan accordingly. if your young one lives and breathes skating you definitely need to take the time and money to help her reach her full potential. if ,however, your skater just thinks of skating as a side thing schedule some lessons but don't worry too much about coaches and costumes yet. most importantly make sure your skater is having fun enjoy the journey and good luck e
- —Guest not important
good luck
- For all those parents just entering in to the exciting world of figure skating i say welcome aboard you are in for a fabulous ride. My advice to you is to unconditionally be there for your skater. Come to her practices see all competitions know the different jumps and spins. However don't think this gives you permission to be over the top crazy mom. Know the skater but most importantly know the heart of your kid. it is very hard to understand but you have to let us fall and you cant be jumping off the bleachers every ten second to see if we are alright. At the same time do not make us push past everything. stay middle ground because skaters hate completely uninvolved mom just as much as over the top dragon lady.
- —Guest anyone
Let your kid fall on the ice!
- I was shocked when my 5-year old daughter took to ice skating like a champ. She hung onto the railing all the way around the rink for TWO WHOLE HOURS and then burst into tears when I told her open skate was over. Since then, we've given her lessons so that she can skate on her own. The hardest part is watching her fall over and over. But how else can she learn? Once she takes up ice hockey (her plan) I am sure the hardest part will be watching her get checked.
- —MdMomof3
