Many children around the world enjoy skateboarding and the sport of skateboarding. From Germany to Hong Kong to the kids in your neighborhood, skateboarding is part of Generation X culture and a physical activity enjoyed by many kids and adults.
However, like any other physical activity, skateboarding has its own dangers. If we don’t recognize these potential dangers and make our kids aware of them as well, there is a great chance that our kids will get hurt while skateboarding.
In this article, we’ll look at three steps that we, as parents, family members, and adult supervisors, can take to make sure that our children are protected as much as possible.
Have your children use pads and equipment
Most kids think that helmets look a little weird and don’t want to wear them because they think they look silly with them on. Also, if they don’t want to wear helmets, they most likely don’t want to wear elbow and knee pads either.
While I believe that children should be given a voice and choice in many matters involving them, the decision to wear protective gear while skateboarding is not an option in my home.
When you see a seven-year-old trying big tricks and bombing down steep hills trying to do the things big kids do, if you’re a parent, you’re most likely in fear for their well-being. Well, it’s a personal parental choice whether or not to enforce this rule, but I believe in fully enforcing it. I would like to spare myself and my son the horror of stitches and broken bones as much as he can.
Help your children be modest about their abilities.
Children often act up and feel invincible. Sometimes they think they can do all kinds of stunts and tricks because they are often not afraid of getting hurt or falling. While this isn’t all bad, try to help your child see the need to be modest so that he doesn’t attempt a trick that he can’t complete.
It’s a bit difficult to get a proper view of this and find the balance between modesty and cowardice for children, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If the ramp is too steep or the hill too dangerous, there should be no shame in backing up at all.
Participate in your children’s activities
It’s always good to get together and do family activities. The streets and paths in front of your house may not be a safe place for your children to skateboard. Maybe you can plan a family outing to a skate park or a safer place where you can supervise your kids while they ride their skateboards.
Children love to show their parents what they are capable of, and if you take an interest in them, they will be happy if you show them that you are proud of them.
So be aware of the need for protective gear, help your children to be modest, and get involved in your children’s lives. These are just three small steps you can take to make sure your child is safe.