Follow up to yesterday’s skateboarding adventure:
I spent the afternoon at the hospital with my son as we waited to get him cast for a fractured wrist. His sister had a similar accident last summer on her skateboard and after that incident I seriously considered banning the activity from the house. The problem is that all of his friends are skate fanatics, much in the same way that me and my boys were into basketball and martial arts at his age.
The fracture was minor and he is fine. However I still feel bad. I know boys will be boys, and lord knows I have engaged in some dangerous sports activities over the years. I have bought him all the wrist and protective guards. I have made him wear them out of the house but I know he takes them off when I am not around. I found it hard to argue with him on the issue since none of the kids at the skate parks wear guards. As a guy I can empathize with the fact that he doesn’t want to be the only kid suited up in protective gear. Not sure yet if this qualifies as a parenting fail or not. I am leaning towards a fail.