A TRUCK driving mum has learnt to figure skate - to reconnect with her teenage son.
Rhian Hughes from Clayton-Le-Moors felt out of touch with her 14-year-old son Harry and wanted to reconnect with the teenager through something he loved – ice skating.
And after seeing an advert from Cadbury's looking for families wanting to rebuild their bond, Mrs Hughes was sent on a three week ice skating crash course to perform in front of a crowd, including Harry.
Mrs Hughes said: “We went from being best friends to being quite distant, and would not talk to me, so I thought the only way to prove to him that I am on his level is if we can do something together.
“Every day was spent ice skating and I was doing gymnastics, rollerblading, and dancing to prepare myself.
“I did not expect anything but now we are going ice skating and even shopping together, I cannot believe how close it has brought us.
“Harry could not believe what I went through for him.”
The mum of four wanted to impress teenager Harry with her new skills at Billingham Ice Arena, but could not tell them where she was going as she filmed and trained.
“I had to lie and say that I was going to college and there were a lot of questions, but they believed it.
“Cadbury took over my life for three weeks, and I thought I couldn’t do it so really had to learn from the best trainer, Keith Hudson, and Harry loves him.
“I can now go with all of my children, and they don’t have to hold my hand and we have so much more in common.”
Mrs Hughes works for her dad’s company Earl Transport as a company secretary, while also driving some of the trucks.
All four of her children love ice skating, thanks to the new skater herself.
She said: “I saw something for ice hockey initially, but Harry wanted to do ice skating tricks and they became addicted.
“I have never seen Harry smile as much and it feels like a different boy. It is all positive.
“I would tell other parents to try to reconnect by seeing what makes your children happy and they will know you tried, so get onto their level.”
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