About 5-6 weeks ago my 13yo got bit hard by the "skate board bug", he goes out for several hrs each night and tries all these pointless (in my opinion ) tricks on a board. His shins are black and blue, scars and fresh scabs galore. I've been a little worried (injuries) and annoyed with this new hobby.
I recently spoke with 2 friends who happen to be coaches and they seemed very surprised that I would allow him to skate. (maybe it should be noted that he seems to have a high tolerance for pain and thinks scars are cool, not a good combo)
Would you let your son skate or put your foot down?

Rollerblading, but the same kind of thing...
baseballson decided "on his own" ...this, of course, was AFTER a spill that apparently "fractured" a bone in his pitching hand. Rather than mention anything about the fall, the next day he played in 2 games...His 3rd at bat in the second game, he blew out a loud grunt & was holding his hand trotting down to first. Well, the rollerblades were in the trash can as soon as we got home from emergency room that Sunday afternoon. "Y" break that taught him the lesson that my words couldn't!

Make him wear protective gear.

During baseball season our son is not allowed on anything that has wheels attached to it (skateboard/rollerblades). There is a very short time during the year that he is allowed. Too many of his friends have had accidents.

Our son witnessed an accident. Baseball buddy couldn't swing a bat for a week - no break - a severe sprain. Poor kid was so sore ALL over, he couldn't move the next day. Did I mention the cheese grater legs? ick

He is not interested.

I wouldn't let my kids do anything ridiculously risky. But the mere fact that my son might play baseball would not mean he should sit in a bubble all year long. Boys will be boys, and by golly they should be boys.

Skateboarding can lead to injuries and appropriate safety precautions should be taken irrespective of baseball. But I've seen just as many injuries from riding bikes, playing with knives, or playing other sports (football, anyone?).

There does come a time when you are old enough, and supposedly mature enough, to recognize that you have made a commitment to others (coaches and teammates) to be at your best. I would think it appropriate to remind my son of that commitment and that it may require sacrificing other things he might enjoy.

But that time doesn't come until some age later than 13.

My son (age fourteen) is an excellent skateboarder. I believe his skateboarding has increased his agility and quickness. However, this past year he threw the board in the back of the garage.

When his bike had a flat he decided to board to the town village to meet friends. He collided with a car. While not injured, he got scraped and banged up badly. He stopped boarding on the logic he would hate to miss any season of sports due to anything that happened on a board. I wouldn't have told him him to stop skateboarding. I would have told him never to use the board as a vehicle again.

Recently he's been on the board in the driveway. He's only doing simple agility drills so I don't worry about it. I never worried about anything he did in a tube.

I'm more concerned about his playing street hockey even though he wears elbow pads and gloves. None of the kids wear helmets.

There is several reasons our son is not allowed on anything with wheels, but the main reason is something always seems to happen. Last year I let him go skating with a friend and he came back with a pulled groin muscle and a twisted ankle. He has always been the primary catcher and the backup catchers usually don't catch very many games.

When he went down it was 6 weeks before he could catch again. He really felt that he had let his team down. We made the deal then that during Baseball season there would be no wheels, except the ones on his equipment bag. It doesn't seem to bother him. When his friends ask, he just tells them he is an accident looking for a place to happen.

My son (13) used to skate but it started causing back problems. The doc told him to make a choice between baseball and skating. Luckily, he chose baseball.

Don't let your kid cross the street. It's more dangerous than any sport he'll play.

CROSS THE STREET!!! Are you CRAZY? Not with the collar cranked all the way up. Still has burn marks on his neck from the last time he tried that. He still wakes up yelling the now famous phrase "Don't tase me bro!"
Appreciate all the post's, sometimes I worry that I'm not being fair. I haven't taken the board yet, still hoping he'll quit on his own. Maybe I'll accidently drive over it with my truck, problem is he babies it and never leaves it lay. (Never lets me mess with his gloves either! And he thinks HE's the one breaking them in so nice..)

quote:

Originally posted by Innocent Bystander: problem is he babies it and never leaves it lay.

Mine has a tool box for his board. He takes better care of the board than his room.