Help, please... figure skating?

Question

Okay, well i am 13 and i really want to learn how to figure skate. I know it is kind of late for me to start, but i am very persistant and dedicated to anything that I do.

my only problem is... asking my mother.

Before you say just ask her... she has said no to my playing basketball and soccer as well as running tracck. My sis plays sports and so we are already rly busy. But since she is a senior in hs she is almost done.

I am abt to turn 14, and i think this is going to be very expensive even if she does let me... with private coaches and lessons and stuff...

omg, is there any way whatsoever tht would be good for me? my mother is so closed minded and she will interupt me after she hears the word figure skating.

This is something i really want to do, how can i make her see that?

please help me

(p.s. sorry if there are typos, i was going really fast)

Answer 1

If you already know how to skate a bit, go to a public skate and take her along. Show her your skills. Or ask her and your dad together, if he is more open minded.

14 is not too late to start, I started when I was 11 and I'm doing okay.

Hope this helps! <:P

Answer 2

I think it's really sad that your sister gets to play sports and you don't!  That's unfair.

I think if you approach it with the research done (as already suggested) with all the pros listed out for her (exercise, skills) and suggest working around the house to "earn" the money to pay for it - or even volunteering somewhere that your mother would approve of, since a 13-year-old can't legally work yet - would help convince her.  Make it less about becoming a figure skater and more about wanting to take ice skating lessons.  You don't want her to respond that you're not going to go to the Olympics - sometimes parents see it as an investment, all or nothing, when skating is so much more than just trying to get to the Olympics.

Keep your cool!  Don't whine or complain about your sister, unfair as it is, because that's going to shut her down.  Try to explain what the benefits are and that you're willing to go the extra mile to make it possible.

Good luck, sweetie!

Answer 3

Hey! I had the same exact probelm (and still sort of do)!

I started figure skating when I was 11, and it is really hard to convince my parents to have me committed to lessons because private lessons here are so expensive (about $50 per 30 mins).

Make your mom see that you are responsible and greatful enough. Try your best at school and the activites you currently do, and let your mom see how dedicated you can be. If you are good at writing, or maybe math, you can get a tutoring job and pay for some lessons. Or you could babysit and compensate for a portion of the lesson your mom pays for. Make sure she understands HOW MUCH you want to try skating.

Good luck! I hope your mom cheanges her mind. Remember, it's never to late to start figure skating! Johnny Weir started at 12.

Answer 4

Maybe instead of telling her you want to be a figure skater, just tell her you want to learn how to skate.  Putting it that way sounds less expensive & intimidating to a parent, I think.  See if she'll let you enroll in a once a week group lesson and see how it goes.  (Nearly everyone, even elite skaters, starts in group lessons).  

Maybe after she sees you learning and doing well, it will be easier to slowly introduce more, like additional practice time, private lessons, your own skates, etc.  She might just want to see that you're going to be committed to it so that it won't be a waste of money.  

It might help if you tell her you'd really like to get some exercise & be healthy, and skating is great for that.  Parents tend to like that stuff;)

Answer 5

ok im a figure skater for like idk 3 years now and im still a little younger then u trust me when i say skating is really hard im doing double  now but it takes persistance and dedication if ur mom is stressin bout the money dont worry so was mine take some group lessons and see if this is something you feel comfortable with go to a public skate or something like that then if your ready see if your rink and a usa metropollitan figure skating club thats where i go and its fun and exciting dont stress this is such a fun sport when it comes to your mom just start with 1 lesson a week and if she seez u progress and love the sport i doubt that she wont let u go on just a pointer dont let anyone intimidate you and im sorry to say you probably wont be able to become like an olympic skater...but take all the tests that are offered to you then you can become a teacher by the time ur like 17/18 and u can hav a good income thats wat im doing

good luck =)

Answer 6

Don't be afraid to ask her. If this is something you really want to do, go for it. If she says yes, be glad and thank her. Sit her down and tell her this is something very important to you. Ask her why she says no.  Also, keep in mind of the fact that it can be expensive, but doesnt have to be. You need a coach to be competitive, but dont fall for all the junk from the movies. You need a coach, not a choreographer and trainer until you are a senior national skater. Get the rates of coaches at your local rink.

Also, give your mom a presentation. Tell her costs, and times for you to skate. If you need anything else, feel free to email me.

Answer 7

Before you talk to your mom, do a little research.  Get together as much info as you can so you can present an educated and well thought out idea.  Check into group lessons in your area.  Group lessons are cheaper than private lessons and are usually offered once a week for 7-8 week sets.  You can learn all of your basics and even go onto beginning jumps and spins with the group lessons.  You're never too old to learn a new skill.  I started skating at 12 and am still doing it....and coaching.  Think of all the questions or concerns you mom may have about skating before you talk to her and try to find enough information to answer all her questions.  Present your case as maturely as possible, showing her you've really thought about it and have really done your homework.  Make some calls to your local rinks, see how much lessons are, when they start, how long they are and whatever else you can find.  Explain that you've seen your older sister experience a lot of personal victories with her sports and abilities and you admire her for that.  Tell her you would like to experience those too, but in your own way through skating.  Maybe invite your mom to take some lessons too -- they also offer adult lessons.  :)  Good luck and don't give up!

Answer 8

Maybe show her videos of figure skating tournaments. You should print information out from online about figure skating. If your mom won't listen to you, maybe she would read what you have to say, so write a cover letter to her about why you want to figure skate and why it's important  to you. You can tell her that you benefit twice as much from most other sports because ice dancing is both a practice and an art. You creatively express yourself on the ice, but it is also very physically challenging. I have been figure skating for 8 years more or less as a hobby but I can tell you that it is very expensive (especially competition) but when you're just starting out, it's not going to be as bad money-wise as you think. Good luck!

Answer 9

Figure skating takes more than determination. It takes passion. If you really want to figure skate, take the ultimate sacrifice: (I am just like you only 1 yr. younger. Crazy busy, but my little bro plays no sports so its easier, and believe me, giving up my ballet carrer was hard.) stop doing one of your sports! Just tell your mom, "Mom, I really don't want to do ____________ sport. I want to fill it in with figure skating. Mom, please! I want this more than anything else! I'm giving up ____________________ sport for it! Please Mom! Please!" if she says you aren't quitting that sport, tell your mom that you won't give up. You'll do anything. (Well, almost anything!)

Answer 10

You've got to have BALANCE!!! : )