Going with the flow

My son has broken his arm(s) several times. Twice on a skateboard, so I banned skateboards. This worked for a couple of years until my ex husband bought my son a NEW skateboard this year. I about passed out when he told me. The skateboard stayed at his house for 2 months...but then my son brought it home.

Now, I realize I'm out of options. If I say he cannot ride it at all ever and trash it, then I'm the "bad guy". If I simply say "no." well, he takes it back to ex's house and rides it there. So I smile and think, think, think.

Then I made a deal with my little guy. Helmet on, can ride. He fights it. I am adamant. I then find skateboard lessons. Yep. Skatepark, ramps, halfpipes, everything...and they offer lessons. Ah, HA!

So we went yesterday. Up at the buttcrack of dawn to drive an hour to get to the skateboard lessons. He had a teacher named Stefan who was so positive, fun and cool. My child was having so much fun...pouring buckets of sweat...as I ran around taking photos of he and the other kids in the class. We stayed for hours. Now? My kid wants kneepads...wrist guards...elbow pads...
Because the big guys had them. Because he wants to learn more.

We left the skateboarding...went by the library to sign up for the summer reading program...came home...

My husband and I had a softball game last night, so the lil guy got to cheer for US last night...

And it was a perfect day. Everyone felt accomplished. We all got exercise and learned a lot...and it seems that every weekend, I will be getting up at the buttcrack of dawn to be at skateboard lessons! And I'm okay with that!