[QUOTE=LittleBitSk8er, and I recommend getting her something to cover her ears and or head, gloves and a blanket to help keep you warm too[/QUOTE]

Just an idea to help you keep warm if you are watching the skate lessons. Get a small fold up pad to sit on if you are rinkside. I have one that cost just a few pounds ($5 ish). It is incredibly light, folds in half and then half again so ends up about 4" by 15" when folded and is highly insulating. It is amazing what a difference something warm to sit on can make to one's comfort while watching kids skate! Mine came from a 'Natural World' shop but I guess most outdoor type shops would have them.

Of course you can always skate too.....I do, but not usually on the same sessions as my kids so the seat pad is very useful!

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'skating is not just a sport - it is an obsession'

[QUOTE=batikat]if you're not so adament about watching your kid skate, most rinks have a place seperated from the actual ice that isn't cold. my old rink had a place with benches and tables right outside the skate rental place, along with a pizza stand. my dad spent many hours there while he waited for me, since the skating lessons weren't during general skating. but i could understand if you want to see your kid skate, in which case i would second the idea for a blanket if your rink is really cold, but i would think that usually a warm sweater and jacket with gloves is usually enough?

that seat warmer thing sounds pretty cool actually. i should get one like that for my car.

Thanks for all the good tips! My daughter has actually begun to shed her gear because I guess between the new boots keeping her feet warm and her moving a bit more, she is sweating! LOL!!!

Here is a pic of where she skates, the Restaraunt has a full rinkside window, there are 4 rinks and there is a restaraunt view of all 4 (2 restaraunts , one in between each pair of rinks)

http://www.iceworks.net/cafe.shtml

The outside and a blurb on the overview for the rink

http://www.iceworks.net/company.shtml

I consider myself fairly lucky as this rink is 15 minutes from my home. I have seen Elvis Stojko there more than once.... He is very nice.

My daughters coaches are Samantha Hunter and Oleg Fediukov

Here is the program...and the coaches, many of whom I have met and all are extremely nice there!

http://www.iceworks.net/figure_teamexcel.shtml

Thanks about the seat pad! I have a Brownie Girl Scout Troop,,,perhaps I will have them make a "Sit Upon" for me! While I do occassionally sit in the restaraunts....I am a crazy mom who prefers to sit right in the penalty box!!! LOL As long as I am not distracting the kids.....If it is a problem I go away

I can't thank you all enough for the excellent feedback and advice! You are all really nice and helpful! I feel much better!

Hi Birdlady and all,

I've been following all the posts here and today went to the Team Excel website. It seems like a fun alternative to the Basic Skills program! I hope your daughter enjoys it.

I noticed on the website that Debbie Koegel is an instructor at your rink. She was actually my first coach back at the International Skating Center of Connecticut in 1995. I remember her fondly--she did a great job of teaching me basic skills moves while also being very warm and friendly. Debbie must have been only around 18 then, but she was a great instructor.

Regarding watching your daughter's lessons from the hockey box...Where I work, we don't allow parents in the rink at all during lessons, because we've found that their very presence can be too distracting for the students. Since your daughter appears to be comfortable in lessons, I would suggest watching her from the comfort of the warm restaurants, or at least, from a greater distance away than the hockey boxes so that she can become an independent skater. You'd be surprised as to how much self-confidence a skater can gain if her parents aren't always there to provide re-affirmation and support!

Good luck, and enjoy skating!

LOL! Small World! It seems all the staff I have met so far are very nice there!

I posted earlier...I watch ringside only if I am not a distraction. If she is even looking at me, I go the the restaraunt. But, as far as she is concerned...I may as well be chopped liver while she is skating! Ha!

I really just try to blend into the background...I work at a dental office and know just how distracting parents can be, regardless of their intentions and I try to keep that in mind at all times! Thanks for the advice!