06/23/2021
FROM A SKATING PARENT:
One of my friends asked "Why do you pay so much money and spend so much time running around for your daughter to skate?" Well I have a confession to make: I don't pay for my daughter's skating lessons. Or her ice time. Or her skates. Or her costumes.
So, if I am not paying for skating, what am I paying for?
- I pay for those moments when my girl becomes so tired she feels like quitting but doesn't..
- I pay for the opportunity that my girl can have and will have to make life-long friendships.
- I pay for the chance that she may have amazing coaches that will teach her that skating is not just about jumps & spins, but about life.
- I pay for my child to learn to be disciplined.
- I pay for my girl to learn to take care of her body.
- I pay for my daughter to learn to work with others and to be a proud , supportive, kind and respectful club member & competitor.
- I pay for my child to learn to deal with disappointment, when she doesn't land that jump she's been working so hard on (skaters know the one!), or get a medal at a competition, or fell during a move she has practiced a thousand times, but still gets up and is determined to do her BEST next time...
- I pay for my girl to learn to make and accomplish goals.
- I pay for my daughter to learn that it takes hours and hours and hours and hours of hard work and practice to create a champion, and that success does not happen overnight.
- I pay so that my daughter can be on the ice instead of in front of a screen...
I could go on but, to be short, I don't pay for skating; I pay for the opportunities that skating provides my child to develop attributes that will serve her well throughout her life and give her the opportunity to bless the lives of others. From what I have seen for many, many years, I think it is a great investment!
Adapted from author : S.Martin