The other weekend we found a pair of really nice rollerblades at a thrift store along with knee pads and wrist guards for $10. We had the brilliant idea that it would be 'fun' for Caleb to learn to rollerblade. I don't know if 'fun' is the word we should have used. Exhausting, painful or tiring would probably have been better (and more realistic) choices. Below is some advice to other parents - most of it was learned the hard way through first hand experience.
When teaching a child to rollerblade here are a few simple rules that most parents with half a brain should follow:
1. Don't wear flipflops while teaching your child. Opt for reinforced steel-toed boots.
2. Don't bother to paint your toenails before teaching your child to rollerblade. Your toenails will turn a lovely shade of purple all by themselves.
3. Parents (not the child) should be the ones wearing kneepads. And shin guards. And full body armour.
4. Inform child before beginning lessons that you expect them to try to balance on their own. They should not lean back against you and expect a 'ride' around the park while you push them.
5. Make sure to explain that there are brakes on the rollerblades. These should be used to stop - NOT the parent's shirt.
6. Parents should start preparing for lessons by lifting 60lbs with their arms (no cheating and using your legs or back) and holding the weight for two minutes before dropping weights on toes. Repeat 5 times every ten minutes.
7. Tell your child they are doing great no matter how much they fall down.
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