Kerry Leitch, renowned Canadian and Olympic coach, is often asked to talk to parents new
                        to the ranks of competitive skating.  He shares some basic but important words of wisdom that will help ensure a child's enjoyment and success in skating:
 
 

Love your child for what he or she is.
Be realistic about their ability
Be realistic about their strong and weak areas.
Don't live your desires through your child.
Understand that their skating career will have peak and valleys.
To fail a test does not mean the child is a failure.
Measure their success as a person, not as a skater.
Communicate with the coach.  Make sure you ask questions and
understand the total involvement and commitment.
Be a person your child can be proud of.
In consultation with your child and coaching staff, set realistic
goals.
Understand that rink gossip can only be harmful to you, you
child and your coaching staff.
Be supportive of your training centre and their team.
Offer help in weak areas rather than criticize.
The tests passed, the medals won will soon be forgotten, but the
impression you leave will be for a lifetime.