Private lessons? Worth it and reasons?

[mmady16]

Hello! I'm fifteen and I've been skating for 8~ one time a week and am Basic 2. I haven't been able to practice much (only 2 times) since my rink only has public skate on weekends I usually have to work, but this should change in a week when I will not have to work as often. Anyway though, I've been really looking into private lessons. I love skating and would like to advance, but group lessons bring about frustration. While the instructors are all kind, after the six week session ends, they basically move everyone up to the next level, even if they cannot complete the required skills. I'm in Basic 2 with kids that still can't do two forward swizzles or stop standing still and holding onto the rail. This means the instructor must spend more time with them and less with people like me who would really like to learn the Basic 2 skills. Because of this, I've been looking into private lessons with one of the coaches I've really clicked with. The charge is a dollar per minute + 11 for ice during freestyle sessions. The problem is that my mom isn't really into it. (Please keep in mind that we have the money. We are upper-middle class.) She just doesn't think it will be worth the money and time it takes to drive there (15 mins). What are some things I can say besides that it will help me improve faster to convince her? And also, for someone like me who is still slightly on the fence, do you think it's worth it? And how long if I did end up taking them? Also, how much more quickly will I improve (on average of course, since everyone is different) with one 1 1/2 group and 15-30 min private? The Freestyle session is 45 minutes, so I will practice the rest of the time after my private is over if I choose to take them. It took 5~ weeks to complete all Basic 1 skills (I had little to no experience on the ice) and since we had practiced a few Basic 2 skills in Basic 1, after two groups I can probably complete Basic 2 (minus the one foot glide on my left foot YIKES). Thanks for all the help! I appreciate it so much!

[icedancer]

You might want to meet your mom half-way on this one - see if you can get a 15-minute lesson with this coach - and maybe even on an every-other week basis.  After a while you will see whether this is working for you or not and then you and she can decide whether to continue.

It is hard with a class - especially when everyone is at a different skill level, age, etc. - it can be frustrating.

[littlerain]

My parents were never into the idea of private lessons either. I did manage to get a few because I babysat the coach's kids! Lol. Sadly, I didn't keep it up and only skated about 1.5 yrs (until I was 13) all in groups. I definitely know I would have moved faster if I had privates and practice ice!

What is your mom's reasoning for not letting you take privates? If it isn't money, is it her time? Or does she think you'll lose interest? If it is either of those, maybe you can see if there are other ways to get to the rink or help her understand your skating goals?

I like icedancer's suggestion of doing fewer to see how it goes for you.

[mmady16]

Yes, it is both of our time. While money isn't an issue, she doesn't want to waste both it and our time on something that isn't helping me much. I need to prove to her all the benefits and all of the good things I will get out of private lessons. I also believe that since I'm new to this, she doesn't think I'm as into it as I am and simply thinks it's just a hobby for me. After asking though, I do believe she understands that I am committed now or I wouldn't have asked her for privates.

[pegasus99]

I'm with IceDancer - meet her halfway to start. Sit her down and have a little heart to heart about the matter, and tell her the 15 minutes once a week is a trial for two or three months. When it's done, have another chat and present your case for more.

You can potentially sweeten the deal by offering to do added chores, but that's just me as a mother speaking. 

Faster progression may or may not happen with just the privates, ideally you need to be on the ice more. More ice time means more confidence. If you're 15, talk to your rink about volunteer opportunities, and see if you can bargain your way onto the ice somehow. (This will also show your mom how much you want it.)

It won't be easy, but it will be worth it.

[Query]

Like the previous poster said, practice time is at least as important as lessons. If you can't get to the rink much to practice between lessons, you will always be limited by that more than anything else. Could you bike to the rink?

Not just volunteer activities. Maybe you can get a job at the rink: cashier, rental counter, snack bar, rink guard, cleaning and maintenance, outdoor grounds keeping, hockey scoreboard operator, pro shop, etc. They'll probably pay minimum wage, not enough to pay for privates, but it will prove dedication and interest. At Basic 2 you aren't there yet, but a little later, some talented students manage to help their coach manage group lessons in exchange for a discount on private time.

[mamabear]

You mentioned having a hard time skating because of work.  Is it possible that you could pay for a portion of your lessons and your mother could pay for the other half?  Or perhaps not an equal amount but some of it.  My parents had me pay for private piano lessons when I was roughly your age.   

[littlerain]

I like the idea of paying for part of it - that shows your parents responsibility and commitment.

[jlspink22]

I say first make an effort to get to public skate more until the skills become too hard. My daughter's group lessons give free PS session cards if you sign up a week before the next session. Why do I say this? Group lessons are watch and repeat style until harder skills come up. My daughter is so little she is easily distracted or gets lost in the crowd, but then we go over things at public skate. By the next session she's pretty much got it down. She's only been on the ice for going on 3 months now and it amazes me the progress she's made.