My Life Parenting

Eleanor’s First Skates

Eleanor has been asking for a pair of skates for the past year, since she’s fascinated with mine.

The wheels on her skates are plastic and terrible, but they’re adjustable (locked, rolling forward only, and freewheeling) and they fit shoe sizes 6-12. I figure they’ll be good for getting used to being on eight wheels, and eventually we could get her a real pair. Three is a little young for full-fledged skates anyway, right? I chose the green “boy” version so they could be handed down, but Eleanor says we should get August a pink pair.

Here’s my girl on her inaugural run.

(Looks like Elle DeGore is working on a kids’ issue.)

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  • Lyndsay
    May 16, 2012 at 12:20 am

    Hi! The rollerskating video was adorable–I sure am glad she didn’t get hurt! I thought the quality of the video was great. Do you mind telling me what kind of camera you shot it on? Thanks!

    • Making it Lovely
      May 16, 2012 at 1:21 pm

      I used my iPhone.

      • Lyndsay
        May 16, 2012 at 7:41 pm

        Awesome, thanks! It was adorable.

  • TieDye64
    May 16, 2012 at 12:39 am

    Oh my goodness, how adorable is she? That is just the cutest video.

  • Sarah W
    May 16, 2012 at 12:53 am

    That video was so adorable!

  • Lindsay
    May 16, 2012 at 1:15 am

    Oh, what a little munchkin! She’s so cute! xx

  • Emily
    May 16, 2012 at 2:40 am

    I got my first pair of skates when I was 4. Not plastic, but also ‘overshoe’ style. And a home made fairy outfit from my Grandmother (tuile skirt, silver cardboard wings, fairy wand).
    Yes, of course I wore them together!

    • Making it Lovely
      May 16, 2012 at 1:20 pm

      Cute! I’ve seen vintage adjustable skates before that were metal with decent quality wheels, but I couldn’t find anything like that being made now.

  • Sarah F.
    May 16, 2012 at 2:51 am

    Very cute. I had skates just like those when I was little! (Plastic, but in primary colors). I think I got them when I was four or so. I did manage to break my wrist falling down when I was six or seven, so I’m glad to see she’s got all the proper safety gear even though they’re not “real” skates. What a great way to start following in her mom’s footsteps (skate tracks?)!

  • my honest answer
    May 16, 2012 at 3:51 am

    Ahhh so cute! She’s going to be great.

    Just a quick tip on safety helmets my husband told me for when I cycle which I never knew – they need to come quite far down at the front in order to protect your forehead (which apparently is really vulnerable). I always thought they were to protect the crown of your head so wore mine quite far back. Maybe something to check out online because he could be totally wrong!

    Great idea to get adjustable skates at first – their feet grow so quickly!

    • Making it Lovely
      May 16, 2012 at 1:19 pm

      Yes, you’re right that the helmet should be forward more. It’s a little big and I was lax about adjusting it, but I should get on that.

  • Emma
    May 16, 2012 at 5:14 am

    OMG she’s sooooo cute!

  • ava
    May 16, 2012 at 6:12 am

    Like mother, like daughter, I see! What a cutie! My daughter started ice skating at 3.5 years, on regular figure blades, and then rollerblades a few months later (they were all the rage in 1989), and did wonderfully. I would start your daughter in shoe skates now if it turns out that she really loves to skate and uses them a few times a week. Good luck and happy skating!

  • RebeccaNYC
    May 16, 2012 at 7:22 am

    LOVE the multicolored skate and the killer black and white safety gear! (and yes…helmet forward please…xoxoxo)

  • katie
    May 16, 2012 at 8:55 am

    this is great! my son is also fascinated with my derby gear and I’ve been wondering where or when to get him his own stuff. i think he’s around Eleanor’s age so it’s super fun to see her loving it so much.

  • georgia
    May 16, 2012 at 9:19 am

    This is SOOOO adorable! Well done you guys :)

  • Erin
    May 16, 2012 at 10:09 am

    Could you swap out the plastic wheels for real ones? I’m wondering if you could “DIY” some improvements to those skates.

    • Making it Lovely
      May 16, 2012 at 1:18 pm

      Maybe, if the diameter and thickness matched up. I think the plastic will be fine for now though, and then we’ll get her some real skates (if she takes to skating) and save this pair for August.

  • Jules
    May 16, 2012 at 10:20 am

    Adorable.

    I used to choreograph roller skate routines to the Xanadu soundtrack. Yup, always a bad ass.

  • Billie
    May 16, 2012 at 11:29 am

    I learned to skate at 3 yrs, and we started my cousin in skates at the same age. At first tighten the wheels so they can barley move then loosen them as she gets more confident and use to the weight/height difference.

    It’s never to early to learn! And she won’t have the fear of being on skates that some kids have when they get older.

  • Jennifer
    May 16, 2012 at 12:44 pm

    She’s adorable! Is a skating helmet different from a bicycle helmet? I’ve been thinking of getting my son (age 3.5) some skates, and I’m wondering if he can just wear the bike helmet he already has.

    • Making it Lovely
      May 16, 2012 at 1:16 pm

      There are specific hockey helmets out there (for adults and older kids, I think), but a bike helmet is fine.

  • Dawn
    May 16, 2012 at 1:51 pm

    She is adorable and that helmet is fantastic! She looks really proud. I don’t think three is too young either. My husband learned to ice skate for hockey at three and he has plans to teach our toddler who will be three in September. (There is already a lot of living room hockey in our apartment so I will be happy to have some of it move to the rink!)

  • the domestic fringe
    May 16, 2012 at 3:51 pm

    She’s a doll! Hope she enjoys her skates.

  • Kelly in DC
    May 21, 2012 at 10:35 pm

    Yep! I too had those same fisher-price adjustable skates in the 80s. They were blue, yellow, and red. I have some great pictures and memories of my sister and me skating around on them. You’re right, they’re not the best functioning skates for maneuvering/speed, but for little kids they were just right. We loved those skates so much! Wonderful memories ;o) thanks Nicole

  • Roller Skating with Eleanor | Making it Lovely
    October 22, 2012 at 10:55 am

    […] them (“too slippery!”). So we swapped them out for the plastic Fisher-Price skates that she knew and loved, locked the wheels, and took one (long) lap around the rink as E held on to the wall. We both loved […]