Could I ask for some more advice/opinion please?

[Faith]

After your excellent replies to my last thread on my DD's gym ("chill out" ) Another Type A stress from me

DD is 7 tomorrow. Having successfully got over myself and happily taking her along to her once a week session we are told her entire squad (which is "development", so I think it's where they put potentials, condition them for a while, and see who is best in which squad) has been assessed, and placed in the squad that fits best. Over here there's quite a few options- floor and vault, display, and WAG.

DD has been placed on one of the WAG squads . I am pleased for her, she's worked hard and she wants to do all 4 pieces. Training is bumped from 1 x 3 to 3 x 4 hrs a week. So I'm happy that as long as she's happy she'll get the opportunity to reach whatever her potential might be.

Anyway. I've been paid off from work in Sept. DD has wanted to have a go at diving for a long while, and the local (and very high standard) diving club was running a fun week so I said I'm not working so she doesn't need to go to daycare, so I'll treat her.

She literally turns up on the first day, jumps in a few times, does a pike fold and someone comes over and says she's too good for this class and they need her in the "talented" squad. So out she gets, we go to a cafe and have a chat, but too late they've mentioned trampoline and she's desperate to get in the squad. She's training with them this week and they are going to let me know where they want to place her, but it looks like it'll be once a week, 1.5 hrs half tramp half pool.

To the point. She wants to do it. She also does a half hour swim class, and a dance class. She refuses to give up dance unless she has to (money/clash etc), at the minute there isn't a good reason to make her. Swim class is non-negotiable. Says she gets bored at home

So what do you think, chill out and let the child have fun, see where it goes? Or is it too much and we're risking burn out? Does cross training sports help or hinder? Am I better to put my foot down now so she isn't under pressure to choose in a couple of years, as she can always pick up diving again with a gym background?

Sorry it's so long, but I'd really appreciate outside thoughts and opinions. I do stress alot that I'm doing the wrong thing and it helps to straighten my thought out a bit...

On the negative I need a job to pay for it all . So much for my year as a SAHM...

 

[Galadriel]

if you can afford it - let her try whatever she wants - but i would make sure that you leave at least 2 days with nothing going on for her to have 'down time' or 'family time' or whatever

 

[bogwoppit]

SUre if you can afford the time and money, but I totally agree with Galadriel about having some down time.

I had the same issues with my girls at that age, they were good at whatever they tried and got invites to all kinds of cool things. In the end we made them choose one thing and let them pursue the other things more casually. We also insisted on the swimmimg. Our issue was more the amount of driving, as all sports are far from here.

 

[Faith]

Thanks

The distance is no worry, we're about 30 mins max from everything, even taking city traffic into account, and we're pretty hooked up with buses/trains too.

She'll have two weeknights off, and be finished by 12 on sundays. School holidays there's no extra training.

My instinct at the moment is to focus on the gymnastics. She can switch from gym to diving easily, not so much the other way round.

I suppose my worry, as well as doing too much generally, is that I always think if you say you're going to commit to something you should. I wouldn't want her taking time off gym training regularly for dive meets, for example, but I know the lure competition has for my child! I get the feeling I may be setting up some battles. I think *if* diving stays casual for a good couple of years, then it'll be fine. I just have my doubts it'll stay casual, and I doubt my ability to say no . I wonder if we're better saying not now, seeing how the gym goes, and taking her back in a year or two.

Thanks again.

 

[Galadriel]

wouldnt the diving coach realise the massive benefit the gymnastics would give compared to divers not doing gym, and not expect the same training time for her?
look at for example elite gymnast and diver olivia reeve (google her - uk and she does less diving compared to her team mates, but still excellent results (12 or 13 years old I think?)

 

[cher062]

Well if you can afford it and your kid doesn't seem too stressed out I say go for it. With that said we always had a rule here the kids can choose 2 activities and if they want to do a third they have to drop one of the others or it had to be where this MOM TAXI didn't have to go and do the pick up and drop off - So like before or after school on days kids didn't already have gymnastics. Also they have to have at least one day a week where nothing is planned and they are just hanging out to relax - or as they say are bored LOL.

To me that is alot of scheduled activities for a 7yo. When does she have time to just hang out and play with friends?

 

[sportyspice]

Think its tough to choose now? She would probably be good at trampolining too and once she has her tumbling, cheerleading (or aerial skiing) will want her and then once she has a really good sprint on vault, she would probably be good at high jump, long jump, pole vaulting, etc. and in a couple of years her upper body strength will be awesome from training bars and rock climbing will beckon! Gymnastics is such an awesome foundation sport that competitive gymmies like yours are often spoilt for choice.

What I would suggest is that she pursues the sport (or sports) that she really enjoys not just on a competitive level and because she is good at it but also because she enjoys the training.

 

[Iwannabemargo]

Think its tough to choose now? She would probably be good at trampolining too and once she has her tumbling, cheerleading (or aerial skiing) will want her and then once she has a really good sprint on vault, she would probably be good at high jump, long jump, pole vaulting, etc. and in a couple of years her upper body strength will be awesome from training bars and rock climbing will beckon! Gymnastics is such an awesome foundation sport that competitive gymmies like yours are often spoilt for choice.

What I would suggest is that she pursues the sport (or sports) that she really enjoys not just on a competitive level and because she is good at it but also because she enjoys the training.

lol - not in this country !

The only thing I can see a problem with is finding the time ? My 7 soon to be 8 year old does 12 hours a week, including 4 1/2 hours on a wednesday afternoon that school lets her take off and we struggle to fit the rest of life in. She does hockey and netball afterschool and swimming lessons once a week but its still a struggle, mind you I have two older boys as well so their sports have to taken account of.

'margo

 

[sportyspice]

Sorry Iwannabemargo - why not what in your country?

I also have two older sporty sons and my baby girl is the gymmie. When DD was 8 she trained 12 hrs p.w. and did ballet twice a week and diving once a week. We were a very busy family as DD proved in future years to be talented in trampolining, diving, ballet, rockclimbing and weightlifting. DD was really bad at netball and hopeless at soccer and touch rugby! DD wanted to try everything and I encouraged her.

Her Ballet teacher couldn't understand how she could quit as she was very talented, diving coach worked with her gym hours to fit in practice, trampolining coach tempted her with "national training squad". Weightlifting coach did not charge fees and rockclimbing centre have allowed her free entry any time she wants to climb.

What I realised very early on was that the only thing to keep her interested in any of these sports long term is if she really felt passionate about them. And she didn't! Except gym. Soooooo was it worth it? who knows, she is not seen as the star of her gym but she loves what she does and to me that is what matters. She def knows who she is as a person and what she likes or doesnt!

 

[Iwannabemargo]

No Snow !

Possibly in a big city - we live in the largest town in Cornwall and everything tends to be on the same days ( Tuesdays and thursdays strangely) I've caved and allowed the boys to do Rugby which is on a Sunday so there is now no day that someone doesn't have a club

 

[Deleted member D3987]

should not be diving and doing gymnastics simultaneously. gymnasts train to land on their feet. divers head first. there can be a 'transfer' problem/issue. don't do it. muscle memory and vestibular systems at play here.

 

[Faith]

Think its tough to choose now? She would probably be good at trampolining too and once she has her tumbling, cheerleading (or aerial skiing) will want her and then once she has a really good sprint on vault, she would probably be good at high jump, long jump, pole vaulting, etc. and in a couple of years her upper body strength will be awesome from training bars and rock climbing will beckon! Gymnastics is such an awesome foundation sport that competitive gymmies like yours are often spoilt for choice.

What I would suggest is that she pursues the sport (or sports) that she really enjoys not just on a competitive level and because she is good at it but also because she enjoys the training.

Margo is right- we don't have cheer here, no football, no cheer squads. It is being done now, but generally only in schools/as fun classes. No snow for skiing SHe has actually had a go at climbing, but again here it's all done mainly as adults and more of a "lets go for a walk in the countryside and climb some walls while we're there"

She's always loved jumping off stuff, and loves the training. But what am I to do, say no to her trying stuff in case this happens every time

To me that is alot of scheduled activities for a 7yo. When does she have time to just hang out and play with friends?

We're generally new the "just hanging" thing. When I worked she was in after care until 6pm every night, so finishing at 3.30pm she now thinks she has loads of free time . For her, hanging with friends is what she does in the gym, at school, at dance, church- first thing she said after diving was that she'd made some friends. Swim isn't really a biggie, she basically pops down while I put DD2 to bed, and is back for bedtime.

should not be diving and doing gymnastics simultaneously. gymnasts train to land on their feet. divers head first. there can be a 'transfer' problem/issue. don't do it. muscle memory and vestibular systems at play here.

My worry. Sportyspice how did your DD get on with that? I'd be interested to know.

Currently compared to you guys our system is very different. She has no gymnastic skills past a cartwheel and handstand. They don't compete until 9, and then only one or two meets a year. Currently she is training strength and flexibility at gym, and diving is the same. Even the kids she has joined in with this week are only working on basics, just concentrating on form and technique.

I think if they hadn't made the fuss in front of her I would have said no. But she's really proud to have been picked out, and very keen.

I think if it is only once a week, and they continue with conditioning/basics, then there's no reason not to let her. I will watch for tiredness, and the muscle memory issues. As soon as she starts somersaulting in either sport we will have another discussion. There hasn't been anything further said, so I will leave it for them to get in touch with me, and maybe air my worries and see what they say. I know they have one or two top standard gymnast/divers already so perhaps they are aware of issues and can train round them?

Thank you again

 

[Iwannabemargo]

what are they doing Competition wise Faith ? My girlie is 7 (8 next month) and she's been gyming for nearly 2 years now. She did a Novice/Rec comp last year in November ( held in Plymouth - trip to the big smoke there !) and then a novice comp in Penzance last spring, then Grades in July. Hopefully she will be doing an intermediate 4 piece in March. If she can vault she should be able to do a novice / rec comp ? Depends what region you are in but it seems odd not for her to compete before 9, when is her birthday as its calader year here for gym so although mine is not 8 til the end of this months she has been competing as an 8 year old all year.

'margo

 

[rd7]

Well Faith, its seems like a case of be careful what you wish for

Seriously though, congrats to your DD for making the WAG squad.

The jump from 3 hours pw to 12 is a big one (did I read 12 right?) even for an older gymnast so I think you may find that something has to give fairly soon, she may have to choose between diving and gymnastics (or rather you will have to choose)

In the meantime don't worry about it, you were worried about lack of training hours not so long ago and look how that turned out, watch and wait is my advice, you will know what to do when you need to.

And congrats again to your DD .

 

[Faith]

Well Faith, its seems like a case of be careful what you wish for

Seriously though, congrats to your DD for making the WAG squad.

The jump from 3 hours pw to 12 is a big one (did I read 12 right?) even for an older gymnast so I think you may find that something has to give fairly soon, she may have to choose between diving and gymnastics (or rather you will have to choose)

In the meantime don't worry about it, you were worried about lack of training hours not so long ago and look how that turned out, watch and wait is my advice, you will know what to do when you need to.

And congrats again to your DD .

Thanks. And definately be careful what you wish for . Think I've learned my lesson just to hold on and see where the ride goes rather than trying to steer! I'm pleased she's made the WAG squad, as I know she loves bars and vault most.

Marg, I don't know about comps. I think the club works within a regional framework, doesn't do grades etc as far as I can tell. She's only just 7, so will compete as an 8 year old next year.

Thanks for all your replies. All is taken on board and listened to!

 

[CoachAl]

From a coaches perspective- I don't see a problem. She is young yet so let her try many sports. As long as she is still enjoying everything she does, and isn't getting to run down. However- be aware that as she progresses in school, sports, and age every aspect of her life is going to become more demanding, and she might need to make a choice then. The most important thing is for her to enjoy the activities she is in. If she isn't happy than she won't excel.

 

[gymmomtoo]

I'm not one to say someone else has their kids doing too much--with all my kids did when they were younger. Just keep an eye on her and makes sure she isn't getting overloaded. Never thought of what dunno said though--that makes sense (it's the reason my oldest DD keeps refusing to give in to DH and try diving--she said she's trained her entire life (in gymnastics) to land on her feet, she's not going to try and do something head first now).

 

[Faith]

Thank you both. I have noticed that compared to some on here her schedule isn't too bad . It's all timing though- if I'd known her gym hours were going to be upped, I wouldn't have let her do the diving this week . I'd booked it before we got the information.

I've had a quick google and there are a lot of the girls in local gym clubs do diving, and the coach she's been assigned is a specialist gymnastic coach on the diving team. I checked out Olivia Reeve as well and she seems to be doing both to a remarkable level. But I am still wary.

I will watch carefully and wait. Thanks for all the input.