10 Things My Son Taught Me while He was Skating

We just wrapped up “conditioning camp” for Boy #1. I put it in quotation marks because I think it’s a little ridiculous for 7 and 8 year olds to be enrolled in something called conditioning camp. What it was is a reason to get out on the ice and remind them how skating works before evaluations start at the beginning of September.

Anyway, for two weeks, every second night, I was back in the stands watching Boy #1 run drills. And he HATES running drills.

This is a kid of action. He wants to be playing a game. We keep telling him that he has to run drills to get better so that he plays better in the game. That sometimes help, and sometimes not.

We didn’t really think it through, though because this week he’s also at a day camp at the trampoline place. So his legs are sore. He’s tired. Exhausted even. And it’s the end of summer when their systems are overwhelmed and craving the routine of the school year. There have been some tough nights, but last night he got on the ice and taught me a few things.

1. Skate even when your muscles are sore. Eventually they will forget about being sore. I have this issue when I run. I enjoy running but a few days in a row and my legs hurt so much that I stop. For like a week. I need to learn to push through some of that pain.
2. A second wind is an amazing thing. I forced him on to the ice last night. I dislike being that parent, but I told him that he just needed to get out there and skate. And he did. Afterwards I asked him if he ended up having fun. Of course, he said yes.
3. Not every time has to be your best time. Sometimes you are going to have awful days on the ice. And some days are going to be magical. The same can be said for running. Or life.
4. Friends make everything just a little easier. Though, I already knew this one. But it was nice to see it in action.
5. There’s nothing that can’t be fixed by a hot bath and a snack.
6. It’s ok to wear pyjama pants to the skating rink sometimes. Especially if that’s the only thing that gets you out on the ice.
7. When all else fails, lie down on the ice and make snow angels
8. Sometimes it’s more important to listen to what works for you in the moment rather than skate really fast like the coaches want you to.
9. Sometimes you just need to listen to someone with more experience than you and skate fast
10. Just. Keep. Pushing. There is a sense of pride in finishing the thing that you didn’t even want to start.

There’s something about watching your kid do what you as a parent have been struggling to do for yourself. I am motivated by his drive and focus. Even if the reason he was driven and focussed last night was because I let him wear his pyjama pants to the skating rink.