Jeff, I mostly love reading your and your daughter's journey through this land of the rink. But I have to take exception to nearly every word of this post.
Leaving your older child well-cared for at the rink while you run errands is neither poor parenting nor unloving. It's a coping mechanism for over-booked parents and a demonstration that you trust your skater, the program and the coach. (For grade school kids, please, stay in the rink.)
Packing the bag for the skater, asking whether the skates are sharpened (during every ride? really? You can't keep track? Because I assume your skater isn't doing this herself, since she apparently isn't doing anything else herself either) is usurping your skater's ownership of her sport, and allowing her to be one of those spoiled skaters who never thinks about her extra tights because she knows dad will pack them.
Shouting corrections through the glass will get you kicked out of the rink if you do it to one of my students whether they're in a lesson or not. You are not the coach. I don't sit in on your law firm meetings and shout suggestions about what you should be doing, after all.
Obsessively taking notes and videotaping every lesson is an example of over-involvement, not care. Every once in a while, sure. Every lesson? Overkill.
The implication at the end of post that if you don't behave this way you don't love your child is just wrong. There are all kinds of skating parents. We all love our children. Some of us just like them to take care of themselves.
Read Jeff's post, and have at us! Who is right?
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