Most skaters reach a plateau at some point, and there's nothing wrong with that. Have fun learning and realize that mastering a skill takes time. Don't give up. Approach your coach about the issue, or try breaking from the rut by attending an ice skating seminar, for example. Families will need to balance schedules and overcome obstacles together. Have discussions with your family and ask how supportive they will be if you choose this path. Whether you make it to the Olympics or not - and whether you earn a medal or not - you will benefit from learning great life lessons such as strength. If you enjoy skating and fall short of that ultimate goal, congratulate yourself on the benchmarks you did achieve! Figure skating at the highest levels requires a huge amount of dedication at a very young age. You will need support from family, friends, coaches, and possibly a professional counselor. Pay attention to your mental health and let your family know if you need more resources. Everyone has periods when they aren't sure they want to continue - when that happens, go to your supporters and be honest with yourself. If you do wish to continue, push through the low period with training and exercise, but also make time for things you need to avoid burnout, such as time listening to your favorite music or a professional massage.

Summary: Don't be discouraged by plateaus. Be aware that every family member will have to make sacrifices. Realize that a medal isn't everything. Seek out emotional support.

Before you approach your parents with your wish to move, think about what your motivation is. Not only can this help you flesh out your feelings, but also help you more convincingly make your case to your parents. Write down your reasons for wanting to move. For example, you can have things like "better educational opportunities for me and job chances for dad," or it could be something like "the house is too big for mom to care for." It also helps if you have relatives where you are planning to move, with something like "closer to grandma and grandpa." Consider keeping a list of pros and cons for moving. Think about factors such as expenses, losing friends, gaining new opportunities or helping shoulder burdens. Try and not spring on your parents immediately that you want to move. Take time to plant the seed at the right moments once you've had a chance to write out your own motivations. Avoid being pushy. At times that are not rushed, mention that moving might make life a little better or easier. For example, you could say "mom, maybe we both wouldn't be so frantic to leave every morning if we didn't live so far from school" or "dad, maybe you'd have more energy if you didn't have such a large space to care for." Point out potential new places when you're out. For example, say to your mom and dad when you're headed to the grocery store, "wow, look at everything in this neighborhood: schools, stores, restaurants, and it's so much closer to your jobs." You can also say "wow, this assisted living facility has so many amenities and is really close to our house." Once you've planted the seed that you want to move, your parents will likely start to get the message. Researching potential options before your parents start asking questions about your motivation and where you want to move can help you make a more convincing case. Go online for places you might like to live or move. Use these as a part of the hints you subtly drop hints. Keep in mind elements such as finances when you're searching. You may not be aware of your parents' financial situation and how your suggestions affect them emotionally and possibly financially. Research new places to live at a variety of price points. Keep notes on different places so that you can convincingly present them. For example, if you want to move to a different city, you could include things like the standard cost of housing and living, the overall health profile of the place, and the advantages it presents to you over the current place you live. The next time a parent shows stress about the house, suggest moving. Let this stimulate an open discussion about your desire to move and the practicability of it. Have the discussion when you're less likely to be interrupted. Start the conversation with your observations and concerns about staying and the reasons you would like your parents to consider moving. Let them know you are serious, but try and keep the conversation as honest and positive as possible. For example, you can say "I'm really interested in pursuing my interest in science and the school in New York has much better opportunities for me to do this," or "I'm being bullied at school and feel like an outcast." Likewise, you can say "mom, I think it's a good idea to move so that you have a built-in community and help whenever you might need it." Suggest that your parents talk to your friends, colleagues, or teachers about your wishes. This may help them better understand that your position is serious. After you've had the discussion with your parents about moving, wait and let them think about moving. Remember that moving doesn't happen overnight and may require that your parents take time to consider the pros and cons for them and your entire family. Put yourself in your parents' shoes and be sensitive. As they consider your wishes, keep in mind how it affects your parents. Although moving might be great for you, it can put financial and emotional stress on your parents. Stay away from pushing the idea on your parents once you've discussed your wishes. This may annoy or stress them and could end up in them dismissing the idea altogether. No matter what your parents decide about moving, respect the decision they reach. There may be factors about which you are unaware that influence your parents' decision and nagging them may have negative consequences for you. Offer to help your parents in any way you can if they decide to move. Keep your parents in the loop about your feelings if the motivation for wanting to move is issues at school. Talking about problems with them may help. Revisit the issue in the future if your parents said they weren't sure or wanted some more time to think about it.

Summary: Ask yourself why you want to move. Plant the seed of moving. Research potential new homes. Use the right "moment" for discussion. Give your parents time to consider. Respect the decision.

Set a skillet with high sides on your stove top. Pour enough frying oil into the skillet so you only have 2-inches (5 cm) of space above the top of the oil. Turn the heat to medium-high. If you're using a thermometer, attach it to the side. You can use your favorite frying oil, shortening, lard or rendered animal fat. Avoid using olive oil or extra-virgin olive oil because it will burn. Place a baking sheet next to your stove top and put a metal wire rack or draining rack on the sheet. Ensure that there's at least 1-inch (2.5 cm) of space between the rack and the sheet. You'll be able to drain the broasted potatoes on the rack which will help keep them crispy. Get out 1/2 to 1 pound (225 g to 450 g) of Russet potatoes, but do not wash them. Instead, use a vegetable peeler to peel the potatoes. Use a paper towel to wipe the potatoes off. Carefully slice the potatoes into thick slices about 1/2-inch (12 mm) wide. The slices should be the size of large French fries or wedges. You want to avoid getting the potatoes wet because moisture will prevent the potatoes from crisping up. Pour 1 cup (240 ml) of cold water into the bowl of your electric pressure cooker. Add 1 teaspoon of coarse kosher salt and teaspoon of baking soda. Stir the brine to dissolve the salt and baking powder. Put a trivet or vegetable steamer basket into the bottom of the pressure cooker with the brine. Lay the sliced potatoes in the steamer so they're in an even, single layer. Avoid overcrowding the steamer basket or the potatoes won't become crispy. You can always make more broasted potatoes in batches.
Summary: Heat oil in a deep skillet. Set up a draining rack. Peel and slice the potatoes. Combine brine in a pressure cooker bowl. Arrange the potatoes in a steamer in the pressure cooker.