Is a skateboard an appropriate gift for 9 year old?

[Sarahmint]

Hello. This is my first post.

My son has had Crohn's-Colitis (and Spherocytosis) since age 3. He has always wanted a skateboard, but I always told him he could not have one. Now that the holidays are around the corner, would it be a bad idea if I bought one for my son? I know he will never be Tony Hawk, but just as an outside activity at the park seems okay, right? Does anyone else here skateboard?

 

[beth]

Why do you think it's a good idea to stop him?

 

[KWalker]

I was actually sponsored with skateboarding when I was younger and into it. I just kind of grew out of it as I got older and got into cars but I spent my whole day from the second I woke up until the second I went to bed skateboarding. Had my fair share of injuries, but I loved it.

If you have any questions, feel free to post them and I will answer them as soon as I can.

 

[LindaS]

I would think it would be ok as long as you also got him the appropriate safety gear, helmet, elbow pads, knee pads, etc.

 

[Crohn's 35]

Linda here said exactly what I was going to say. Make sure he wears it or take it away from him. The biggest injuries are from not wearing safety gear. Let him be a boy, he needs to feel normal like the other kids.

:welcome: to the forum.

 

[KWalker]

This is just my opinion, but I wouldn't make him wear all the extras. He will be okay with just a helmet. At his age he's not going to be really doing anything to cause him to get really hurt. You don't want him to hate it because the kids make fun of him because of his elbow and knee pads.

If it were my kid, I would let him go with just a helmet. That's just my opinion though. Feel free to ask if you have any questions about brands and stuff.

 

[rygon]

I'd say the same. He will only fall over at low speed so will get a few grazes but no need for pads. A helmet is a good idea tho. And Defo get a board he will love it and it will keep him active

 

[Crohn's 35]

Hey Kwalker and rygon...do you guys have any kids???

 

[KWalker]

Lol Pen. No I don't, but I've been a kid and hated doing things because of kids making fun of me because of my over protective mom. I definately see your guys' side of it, I was just saying that really when he's just learning, the most he's going to get is a few scratches. Its actually a lot harder to try and move when you have all of that stuff strapped to you so you can't bend.

Put it this way, I was the kid that took off all of my stuff anyways when my mom wasn't looking. You don't want that.

 

[David]

Welcome to the forum! That's quite a combo your son has, the poor guy

My son has had Crohn's-Colitis (and Spherocytosis) since age 3.

would it be a bad idea if I bought one for my son?

How well is the Spherocytosis being controlled? Has he had a splenectomy? What are his blood counts like? I ask as I think these variables need to be taken into account when determining if he should be allowed to engage in an activity where he WILL be falling.

 

[rygon]

No but its all about letting your kid learn for themselves, if you wrap them up in cotten wool they wont be able to learn common sense. I never wore any protective things when I was growing up (skateboarding, biking etc) And although I never broke any bones I learnt about danger and risk management. I do wear padding now I go snowboarding tho, only cos I keep on falling on my arse lol

 

[LindaS]

Rygon, as a mom who has been to the emergency room at our local Children's hospital more times than I'd like, I'd make him wear the extras. Most kids now a days are wearing the padding. When my son had a walking cast, he hated not being allowed to run and bike and all the other fun stuff.

 

[DustyKat]

I don't think it would a bad idea Mum.

I agree with using safety gear, the hemet is a given and I think the pads are a good idea too, anything that may reduce the risk of infection from grazes particularly if he is on immunosuppresives and/or has had his spleen removed.

Dusty. xxx

 

[Crohn's 35]

As the old adage Mother knows best is also because we did stupid things like not wear seat belts, helmets, or forget too. Helmets are a must, in some skate arenas you can't go in without them. Breaking bones with having crohns makes us more suseptable to bones breaking.. I was never the type to follow the crowd or worried about what others thought.

Right is right, wrong is wrong. So there Kwalker and Rygon! :tongue::ylol2:

 

[LindaS]

Funny how the moms here are all in support of more padding and the young men are not.

 

[Crohn's 35]

Because they dont have kids and are not moms'.