My kids want me to take them ice skating but I'm scared they'll get hurt.?

Question

They are 11 and 12 -should they wear a helmet to ice skate? What about knee pads or elbow guards - does anyone wear this stuff to ice skate and would a rink that rents skates rent safety gear as well or is it best to get them their own?

Answer 1

Most rinks only rent skates, That in itself should tell you something. Most kids don't wear protective gear at that age, its not like they are doing anything drastically dangerous. There is an occasional fall, but mostly causing bruised ego's and embarrassment than anything else.

If you elect to make them wear protective gear that you purchased on your own, that may also invite embarrassment. Usually it safe to let them rent skates and go about their fun time.

Answer 2

OK no effence, but you are waaaayyy over to protective. no you don't have helmits or elbow pads. Sometimes you have to let them go on their own for once, esspecially that they are 11 and 12 years old!! They probably would not ever have a serious fall. You can hold their hand first but once they get a little more of the hang of it and if they fall just help them up, and most of all have fun!!!

Answer 3

It shouldn't be a big deal to have to worry about your kids wearing safety equipment while skating. They usually don't rent safety equipment, and most people don't wear it (unless they are in a hockey game, or are very small children). Your kids are more likely to be severely injured in a car accident on the way to the rink rather than be severely injured while skating.

Answer 4

Okay! Chill out! When kids begin ice skating, they are going to fall, it's a common fact. That is how they learn. If you want your kids to wear the padding and helmets, that it your choice but they are probably going to be embarrased so you are going to have to deal with that later. But, let me ask you this: Did you let your kids learn to walk? Obviously, so therefore they probably fell once or twice. Let them ice skate. It's a fun experience.

Answer 5

Lol...no people don't usually wear helmets, maybe knee and elbow pads, just to be on the safe side. but then again you are dealing with 11 and 12 year olds who don't want to look silly in front of their friends...lol...you know how that goes!!! but safty first, and by the way alot of times there are people that works out on the rinks that help protect people if they fall by stopping the skating traffic . just take them and you will see it's not as bad as it seems

Answer 6

my dad taught me to skate right after i learned to walk! YES its safe. when i was little i wore a helmet, but stoped when i was like 9.  im sorry but i have to agree with some of the other people, your too over protective. what are you going to do when they start asking for tatoos and piercings...

Answer 7

You can rent skates always at the rink. Usually the only children with protective equipment are 5 and under. Kids will fall, get hurt and get back up again. I understand letting your children go on their own, it's something all us parents must endure. It's part of life. My son started at two years old, held his hand and he had a blast. We kept going a couple times a week. He loved skating and still does! Eventually I signed him up for the snow bunny programs, skating skills and after about a year he was in their hockey program. At 5 years old he started playing travel hockey. He's now 14 and still plays ice hockey and I'm broke!

Answer 8

People get hurt ice skating, that is just the way it is. I'm sure that helmets ect... would help that however, is there such a thing as too safe. If you shelter your kids to the point that they are unable to get hurt physically, emotionally, ect... they won't be able to deal with it when it happens in more serous events. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying just let kids do anything, however, growing up mountian biking, ice skating, hunting, mountian climbing, and other things were all risks, but I plan on doing them with my kids and teaching them to be safe and pick themselves up when they fall down.

Answer 9

I think that you should take them, mainly it's the younger kids that need the pads and helmets. I'm a figure skater, and when I do fall, I hardly get too badly hurt. When they fall, just make sure that they know how to get back up. If you want, they sould wear a hockey-style helmet, so they wouldn't look to out of place. Remember, it's good to take risks in life, and I bet you guys will have some nice, good, clean, fun!!!!!!!!!! Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

How will they get hurt?  They fall when playing and know how to protect their body from serious injury. Bumps, bruises and minor scrapes teach them through negative reinforcement to not do it that way again.  Body armour, knee pads, helmets, elbow pads prevent the necessary feed back to the body and mind to avoid doing that again.  Gloves to avoid skinned knuckles I would agree with, fully clothed but not over dressed yes.  Unless the child is too fragile to survive in a normal life style, let them learn from a few minor bumps and bruises. Keep their speed at their skill level, they'll do fine.

   At higher risk sports, like bicycling or snowboarding, or skiing the helmet does come into play since the speeds are higher and the fall is further.  Even then a helmet is more to protect from a collision from someone else or an object than from a fall.

   Over protection of children is a big mistake, as is under protecting them. It is a balance between experiments and danger, the adult must be able to make a rational decision about protection.  Letting a child fall into a blackberry or rose patch is not fatal, just painful. Clean the scratches and let them go. They won't do it too many times.  If you don't let them fall, they will never learn to get up on their own.

Answer 11

Hi=) at first, ice skating its not dangerous, the only people that ive heard could have serious injuries are very advanced figure skating (doing triples and some doubles), they shouldnt wear safety gears, figure skaters doesnt use it. Only you could put them gloves so when they fall their hands will not hurt=) Good luck.