Parents Anxiety new to team

[scb838]

My 7 year old daughter was recently invited to team. She worked so hard and was so excited that she made it! Summer practices start soon. She's already had a couple of meltdowns, saying she can't do skills that she can do, worrying it will be too hard and just in general seeming very anxious about it. I have never seen her act like this before. She is not normally an anxious child at all.

I told her they wouldn't have asked her to team if they didn't think she could do it and that she has plenty of time before the first competition. I asked her if she still wants to do it and she says yes. I am hoping that once practice starts she will see it isn't that big of a deal, but in the meantime? I know gymnastics is a high pressure sport, so I worry that maybe this isn't for her if she is already this stressed.

Has anyone gone through this? Any tips to help her?

 

[BusyMomof2]

See how the first few practices go! If she's not normally anxious, it might be the unknown of team. It's also possible she was told it is going to be hard work - which it is, but that doesn't need to be scary. Assuming since she's new to team, this is pre-team or a lower level...which means lots of shaping and form work, drills, etc so not really throwing skills at the start.

 

[NutterButter]

My daughter did this same thing (and still does at age 23). I wouldn't worry about this being a sign that gymnastics is the right sport for her. If anything, she's this worried because gymnastics is 'that' important to her. Just remind her that everyone around her believes in her. Keep the conversations short and don't dwell on it with her. She will be fine after the first week or even the first practice.

 

[scb838]

Thanks! I think you all were right. I think this just means a lot to her, so she was worried. She had her first couple of practices and did great!

She still has some adjusting to do. She's very tired by the end of practice, but doesn't complain at all about going. Even if it seems like all they are doing is drills and conditioning!

 

[SPZ_Down]

Can I ask how your daughter is doing now? My 6 year old (will be 7 in a week) just started xcel Bronze and has been experiencing some anxiety with her practices too. She cried during her 2nd practice at the last hour, and before her 3rd practice, but pulled it together for the entire time.

 

[scb838]

Can I ask how your daughter is doing now? My 6 year old (will be 7 in a week) just started xcel Bronze and has been experiencing some anxiety with her practices too. She cried during her 2nd practice at the last hour, and before her 3rd practice, but pulled it together for the entire time.

She cried again yesterday before practice and said she didn't want to go, but once it was time to go to practice she was fine and went without an issue.

She is still tired by the end of practice, but seems to be adapting.

 

[SPZ_Down]

She cried again yesterday before practice and said she didn't want to go, but once it was time to go to practice she was fine and went without an issue.

She is still tired by the end of practice, but seems to be adapting.

The crying is so tough It's also new for us as she's never had issues before with new sports/classes. I hope your daughter continues to adjust well!

 

[scb838]

The crying is so tough It's also new for us as she's never had issues before with new sports/classes. I hope your daughter continues to adjust well!

Yes the crying is difficult. On the one hand I don't want her to feel like I am forcing her to do gymnastics, but on the other hand I don't want her to give up because she's worried she's not good enough, when that is just not true.

My daughter did have some adjustment issues when she moved up to 2x a week rec classes, so I have a little bit of experience with that. She would often say she wanted to stay home, but that went away after a couple of weeks. So hopefully she will adjust to team soon as well.

The anxiety though was a new thing that seems to be a lot better now that she has more experience with the format of class, the corrections and the coach's expectations. I think she the unknown was hard for her!