Skateboarding is a thrilling and challenging sport that requires skill, dedication, and a passion for riding. As a skateboard mum, you can share this passion with your child and be a positive role model for them.
While there are certainly challenges that come with being a skateboard mum, the benefits are undeniable. From building a solid bond with your child to encouraging an active and healthy lifestyle, skateboarding can be a fantastic way to spend time together and create lasting memories. Read on for the pros and cons of being a skateboard mum.
The Pros
Building A Strong Bond With Your Child
Skateboarding provides a unique opportunity for parents and kids to spend quality time together, communicate, and learn from each other. When you and your child share a passion for something, it creates a sense of connection and understanding that can be difficult to achieve through other means. It’s a way to bond over a common interest and create memories that will last a lifetime.
While skateboarding may be an exciting and fun way to bond with your child, you need to make sure you’re using the right wheels for street riding for both of your safety.
Encouraging An Active And Healthy Lifestyle For Your Child
Skateboarding is a physically demanding activity that requires strength, endurance, and coordination. It is an excellent way for your child to stay active and improve their overall health and fitness.
By participating in skateboarding, your child will get regular exercise and outdoor activities that boost physical and mental health. It helps them develop good habits and learn the importance of physical fitness.
Opportunity To Be A Positive Role Model For Your Child And Others
As a parent, you’re the first role model of your child, which means your actions and attitude can significantly impact their development. When you participate in skateboarding alongside your child, you’re showing them that it’s essential to set goals, work hard, and strive for excellence.
Being a positive role model in the skateboarding community can inspire other mothers and families to participate in the sport. This can promote this sport’s positive image and create a welcoming and supportive environment for new riders.
Ability To Share In Your Child’s Accomplishments And Progress In The Sport
As you and your child progress in the sport together, you will be able to witness firsthand their development and growth as a rider. This can be an enriching experience that you can go back to in the future.
Sharing your child’s accomplishments can include watching them learn a new trick, seeing them compete in a skateboarding competition, or even just observing them as they ride and improve their skills.
The Cons
The Potential For Injury
Skateboarding, like any sport, carries a risk of injury. The sport involves high speeds, complex manoeuvres, and hard and sometimes abrasive surfaces. You or your child may experience minor bruises and scrapes, or even sever injuries like traumatic head injury or bone fractures.
It’s important to understand that many of these injuries can be prevented by taking the proper safety precautions, such as wearing protective gear, using skateparks and other designated areas, and ensuring that your child is adequately supervised while riding.
The Cost Of Equipment And Gear Can Be High
Skateboarding requires various specialised equipment and gear, including a skateboard, protective gear, and clothing. Purchasing all these items may entail a large sum, which can be financially overwhelming.
However, it’s important to note that while the initial cost of equipment and gear can be high, it can be a long-term investment. High-quality equipment and gear are durable and have a long useful life. Therefore, with proper maintenance, you can enjoy skateboarding for many years using these items.
Finding Suitable Places To Skateboard May Be Difficult In Some Areas
The availability of skateparks, plazas, and other designated areas for skateboarding can be limited, making it difficult for your child to practice and improve their skills.
Additionally, some municipalities have laws and ordinances prohibiting skateboarding in certain areas, such as sidewalks, business districts, and public parks. These mandates can make finding suitable places to skateboard challenging and may even lead to fines or confiscation of equipment. But with the rise of the popularity of skateboarding, many places are starting to build more skateparks, plazas, and other areas for the sport.
May Require A Significant Commitment
Skateboarding is not just a sport; it’s also a lifestyle. Participating and supporting your child in the sport may require time and effort. This can include taking your child to skateparks, competitions, and events and providing transportation, supervision, and equipment.
If your child is serious about skateboarding, they will likely want to practice and ride regularly, which can take a significant amount of time. This can be challenging for busy parents with other responsibilities such as work and other family and household commitments.
However, keep in mind that, as your child grows older, they will become more independent and can manage their own time and responsibilities, making it less demanding on you as a parent.
Conclusion
Being a skateboard mum is not just about being a spectator of your child’s passion. It’s about being a part of it. It requires supporting, encouraging, and actively participating in their journey.
The bond built between a parent and child through shared interests and activities is invaluable. The lessons your child learns from skateboarding, such as perseverance, self-discipline, and overcoming challenges, will serve them well in all aspects of life. Being a skateboard mum is a journey filled with challenges and obstacles but also filled with joy, pride, and unforgettable memories.
Further reading: Handy exercise tips for busy single mums.
