Hi,
I don't post a lot but this is an interesting post. But I'm a dad of a 10yo L8 gymnast who's had a good amount of success early on. Level 5 JrA1 TX AA state champ, Level 7 Child A WA state AA Silver Medalist and beam champ. She is currently dealing with some fear issues going backwards at level 8 and is working through them. I also have a competitive volleybal player as well. I'm a competitive individual and I always want my girls to win. Always. Not just win, but to dominate. I can't help it that's just the competitive person in me. But even more important than that, is that I see my girls are having a good time. Enjoying themselves, loving what they do. That always trumps winning in my opinion. Now with gymnastics it's different. I stay away from the gym, I don't watch practices, I don't give advice and I don't attempt to coach. I can't. I know nothing of the sport, so nothing I say has any relevance. I go to the meets and watch and cheer and record, and say great job and give DD a kiss and a hug no matter what. Because when I see the meets, its new to me and I think that whatever she is doing is perfect. Staying away from all things gym also gives me a clear view of changes in my daughter. I can see if she's tired, over-worked or unhappy. My wife is close to the gym happenings, I'm not. I have no connection to the gym or it's people so if I see or hear something I don't like, i will speak my mind about it. My daughters tell me, I'm glad you're not like some of the other dads, always trying to coach or yelling at their kids when they do something wrong. I tell them that with competitive kids, come competitive parents and it's really hard for them to turn it off. I tell them, I don't play anymore, these sports are no longer mine, they are yours. I remember what it's like to play, and to have people yelling and screaming at you from all directions. I didn't like it when it was done to me, so I won't do it to you, but it's not easy. I want to coach, i want to run up and down screaming and yelling doing all the things the other competitive dads are doing........I just don't.