In January 2025, my husband and I signed up our hockey-obsessed 3.5-year-old, Theo, for toddler ice skating lessons at the Fuel Tank in Fishers, IN. We weren’t totally sure if it was the right time with him being so young. I pictured tears, tantrums, and maybe one dramatic “I’m done” before we even hit the ice.
Fast forward to today, and Theo surprised us all. He has completed Levels 1-3 in Learn to Skate, is currently part of the Nitros Learn to Play Hockey program, and is living his best little hockey life out there. Watching him glide (and occasionally wipe out) across the rink has been surprisingly emotional for me as a mom. Turns out, kids have a lot to teach us if we’re paying attention.
Here are a few lessons my tiny skater taught me from the ice:
Falling Isn’t Failing (Even When It Looks Painful)
Theo’s first toddler ice skating lesson was literally focused on falling and getting back up. Over and over.
As a mom, it was hard to watch. I may or may not have been secretly crying behind the rink glass each time he fell. Every instinct in me wanted to run out and scoop him up, but I knew he had to learn to do it on his own. Theo wobbled, fell, got back up, and kept going. Every. Single. Time.
And honestly? I needed that reminder. As adults, we spend so much energy avoiding failure at all costs. Theo’s time on the ice showed me that falling isn’t failure, it’s part of learning. Watching a toddler fall 47 times in 30 minutes and still grinning about it? That’s a master class in resilience.
Adaptability Is a Superpower (Even in Tiny Skates)
As Theo first stepped onto the ice for lessons, I held my breath. I was so anxious for him and wanted to take away any fear or nervousness he had. He didn’t know what to expect, but he stepped out there with full confidence (and minimal coordination).
Each week, he adjusted to new drills, new kids, and the general chaos that is a toddler skating class. Watching him embrace change so naturally made me realize how resistant we can be as adults. Adaptability is something kids just do. They fall, they learn, they adjust. Adults? We can barely handle a curveball day. Maybe we could all use a little more “toddler energy” when life throws us something new.
Joy Is the Goal (Not the Gold Medal)
Theo’s favorite part of skating is using little plastic buckets to “go super fast.” No medals. No goals. Just pure joy.
And while he’s out there gliding with happiness, I’m on the sidelines mentally checking off my to-do list, wondering if I thawed the chicken for dinner. (Spoiler: I did not.)
He reminded me that joy doesn’t have to wait until everything is “done.” Sometimes, it’s just about moving, laughing, being fully in the moment, and celebrating progress, not just perfection.
Watching Theo learn, fall, adapt, and laugh has been one of those sneaky parenting moments where our kids end up teaching us more than we teach them. Theo learned how to skate this past year. But I learned how to breathe, how to let go a little, and how to find joy in the wobbles.
Because motherhood? It’s a lot like skating. You’re going to fall. Probably a lot. But if you can laugh, get back up, and find some joy along the way, you’re doing just fine.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a video of Theo “zooming” across the rink to rewatch for the 50th time.
