All parents dread the time when their kid starts to grow up and by the time he/she hits their teens, they develop other interests that make them less inclined to hang out with their parents.
But one mom wasn’t going to give up without a fight and secretly studied ice-skating so that she could reconnect with her teenage son who loves the sport.
While Rhian Hughes, 36, has a good relationship with son Harry, 14, over the years they’ve slowly drifted apart as he has taken up other interests.
Watch the video of her ice skating below.
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Video credit: Rumble
Because Harry has loved ice-skating since he was 12, HGV truck driver and mom-of-four Rhian decided to take up a 3-week crash course to learn the sport. The sneaky mom even told Harry she was taking up extra classes in college so that he wouldn’t suspect a thing.
And then the 14-year-old suddenly saw her perform at Billingham Ice Arena, in Stockton on Tees, and he was understandably floored. After an emotional scene following the performance, the whole family now goes ice-skating together every week.
Rhian, from Clayton-Le-Moors, Lancs, said: “We grew apart when Harry became a teenager, we had been best of friends before that then I thought ‘I’ve got someone I don’t know.’
“All I would get from him was a few groans, and he would only come downstairs for a lift to the ice rink – he didn’t talk to me.
“It was nothing, in particular, just the teenage years – a lot of people warned me it would happen, but I didn’t realize it would happen to me.
“I had to do something to get my friend back, we had absolutely nothing in common, he was saying things I didn’t understand and was embarrassed by me but now we’ve got a common interest.
“Harry didn’t know about my performance until the last moment so I didn’t know how he would react.
“He was with all his friends so I was hoping he wouldn’t be embarrassed, but when I looked up I could see he was made up.
“Since then it’s been amazing, it has really changed our relationship – it’s the best.
“And best of all, now all my children come skating together with me.”
It wasn’t Rhian’s first time to attempt ice-skating as she learned a bit of it as a teenager but the desire to reconnect with her son gave her the motivation to take up the sport again.
While Harry thought she was taking up business lessons in college, Rhian endured hours of intense training in ice-skating, rollerblading, gymnastics, and dance.
Rhian concocted a ruse telling Harry he had won VIP tickets to an ice game involving the Whitley Warriors so that he would go to Billingham, more than two hours’ drive from their home. She even arranged for a bus to take her son there.
The teen was totally clueless and had even finished eating at a restaurant with six friends which is why when Rhian came out, he was astounded.
Rhian got the idea for the “prank” from a Cadbury’s advertisement that was looking for families who wanted to rebuild their bond.
Rhian said: “Harry has been ice skating for two years, I now realize it’s because it’s something totally different and you just get away from things while you’re doing it.
“He’s also been encouraging his friends to take part.
“Since I did the course we’ve all been going ice skating as a family, I just wanted my friend back.
“We now go to the ice rink together – and Harry doesn’t have to hold my hand!”
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