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I used to rollerblade, or more correctly, inline skate (Rollerblade is actually a brand name).
I say used to ‘cos my middle-aged knee has been reminding me that I am not as young as I used to be; since something like 2003.
One time in the late 90’s, way before I was (in the mood of) seeing anyone, I used to spend lots of time with my family. I remind you that I am the youngest, which means there are lots of nieces and nephews already. The oldest of that generation, a niece of 15 years my junior, is also rather keen in sports, and had a pair of skates herself. Whenever Dr Pixie visited with the kids, I’d get this niece to go skating with me in the neighbourhood roads. It was quite good fun, connecting with her, getting a workout as well- uphill skating really works the ass muscle.
Anyway. During all those times no one said anything about her and I skating around. Then there was a family trip to Awana where again we brought our skates. After settling in at the hotel, I asked her if she wanted to go skating. She said yes, and it was then that Dr Pixie commented “Hey, you are a girl lah, what if you fell and get bruises and scars on your legs??”
That was the last time we skated together.
I wasn’t sure what to think of it. In some ways I didn’t agree with the ‘prohibition”, after all, its a sport and she could skate reasonably well. On the other hand, I can understand the wish to avoid injuries that scar. I have another niece (this same one) who has a rather long one along her shin after falling into a drain (I think it was a drain). I won’t say that it is unsightly, but my eyes are drawn to it everytime I see it.
And as far as I know, she is still quite the athlete at school.
Having said that though, I think when Caitlin is of age I’d probably get her into some outdoor activities and active sports like this, but fully decked out in helmet and guards and kevlar vests and insurance with the ambulance on standby trailing us on first gear…..
All this is of course due to aesthetic reasons. It’s a bit sexist I guess, that guys can be all scarred and macho but girls have to be the immaculate creatures of elegance…..
Would you stop your daughter from getting into a hobby or sport that would risk scars? Or just let them be, within reasonable physical safety?
Photo taken.. sheesh I can’t even remember when. I know it was after Caitlin and before Caleb. This is the group organised by Skateline, the skates retailer in TTDI, that organises weekly or so skating trips around parts of KL. I still prefer the night skates at Putrajaya- nothing like skating on tiles and marble!
That’s me in the extreme right. I haven’t got the kevlar bullet proof vest. I don’t need it, see.
I was one of the most cautious kids growing up…and the most accident prone. I fell…a lot. Stitches eight times by the time I was eight years old. Most of the scars have faded (decades later) or were in less noticeable places. I still have a bump on my (very high) forehead that I’m self-conscious about so I’ve had bangs for as long as I can remember.
My daughter is much better than I was at landing on her feet. She gets knocked around a lot by her older brother and his friends (accidentally, of course) so she’s tough and she wants to do everything they do. I’m not going to hold her back. I might try to encourage her in the direction of less dangerous activities, but I do that with my son, too. My niece, a dancer for many years, just had surgery on one of her legs. There’s a scar for you!
ladybughugss last blog post..Eww.
I remember once I had a scratch on my leg, and my dad kinda scolded and said that it’ll be a scar. Well, it was for a while, don’t remember how long, but sure no scar now.
I usually get my boys in long pants also whenever we go to the park. It’s because they love to run and we do kinda expect them to fall. It’s just to avoid scrapping their knees.
Probably same for my girl…should we have one. Not too sure about skating as my boys are not there yet. At most they cycle, and that’s not at any dangerous speed …yet.
Moomykins last blog post..Pampering Our Men… and Vice-versa
Reckon I would try to avoid the scars and what nots.
But if my daughter wants to do anything sporty I wouldn’t stop her either, all precautions taken. After all I am an outdoor person myself and my parents have never really stopped me.
I had my share of falls and scraps and only one scar to talk off which thank God is not that obvious. I think if it was obvious and ‘ugly’ I would be very self conscious about in my dating years!
But I have also been told that no matter the outer appearance, if yuor personality shines, boys will be drawn to you anyways!
Anns last blog post..Worried worried me!
Hmm immaculate creatures of elegance….what about development about mind and body, inner beauty?? Sometimes women are their own worst enemies as they criticise themselves endlessly. I hardly hear or see a man doing so. Caitlin will enjoy the outdoors knowing how much she loves the pool. Take her with you, enjoy her every minute and if you are worried about keeping her immaculate, invest in all the proper gear. The biggest plus point…very healthy for the mind and body for both you and Caitlin
I am all for girls getting in and all adventurous, even though I am a naturally cautious/unco type.
Nothing pleases me more to see my girls come in from outside play all messed up and covered with dirt! Already I am seeing some of A’s freinds discouraged from too much adventurous play, usually under the guise of keeping their ‘nice’ clothes clean and I think that it is such a pity. Why buy into the stereotypes? Let girls and boys enjoy all types of play.
That said I do like to keep close supervision when it comes to more dangerous activities or ones requiring new physical skills, and I insist on a helmet whenever A rides her bike or scooter, even on our verandah. With E she is such a daredevil that I simply try to be there to catch her as necessary!
hissychicks last blog post..Seventh heaven
Ladybughugs,
Welcome back! I sure do hope small scars will fade in time as they grow. There were mosquito bites where Caitlin likes to scratch till she breaks the skin, a scab forms, and then she’d scratch it off again. Some of healed with scars already
Moomykin,
Long pants is a good idea, though a tad hot. From the incident where we thought Caitlin had UTI, we are a little more cautious in not dressing her in jeans too often. But of course if the occasion calls for it….
Ann, Biuye,
I am only talking about physical activities! Of course I will also nurture the inner beauty part! How successful I as a father can do that remains to be seen!
Hissychick,
Yup, I do want my kids, girls included, to lead active lifestyles. As to coming home covered in dirt, well, I think Hot Mummee would have a lot more to say than I do!