Parents Finished with gym

[profmom]

I'm glad you're going to Vegas. That will help her transition to whatever comes next.

I'm not sure what you are thinking at this point, but if she is dead set on continuing to do gymnastics, would you and she consider XCel? My daughter has found that the lower practice hours are keeping her much healthier. She does some strength on her off days just to keep from getting too twitchy, but less time on the equipment and less pounding have been great. She switched from JO to XCel in June, and, knock wood, has not had anything other than minor illness or too much homework keep her out of practice since. Our program allows plenty of room for upgrading and she's actually gained a few skills since the switch. I've learned that it is a great alternative for girls who want to do difficult skills but whose bodies won't tolerate the 20 odd or more hours a week needed to compete JO L8 and above. Some girls on her Diamond team are competing double back dismounts and shoot halfs on bars, flipping Yurchenkos and Tsuks on vault, BHS-BHS and tucks on beam, and fulls and higher level twists on floor.

 

[LindyHopper]

She is still negotiating this morning for a come back plan. She is tenacious, for sure.

She is also happy that I told her we will still got to vegas this weekend to cheer on her team, since the tickets and room are already paid for and nonrefundable.

I know it may be too soon to talk about with her, but perhaps she could start coaching if/when shes ready?

 

[NY Dad]

I’m so sorry to hear that she got injured again. I hope she has a quick recovery.

 

[duyetanh]

She is still negotiating this morning for a come back plan. She is tenacious, for sure.

She is also happy that I told her we will still got to vegas this weekend to cheer on her team, since the tickets and room are already paid for and nonrefundable.

My goodness she is determined. Ok....so any chance she would go for the xcel route? I am truly a fan of xcel. I think it is a FANTASTIC program. Every year I ask my child if she would be interested, and I get a big fat no. But if we were faced with what you are in terms of injuries, I would probably say this was her only option, this way she could do the skills that work best for her without quite so many heinous requirements. She could also tone it down somewhat, and even though it might not be what she wants, she could still stay in the sport she loves, train less hours, have the opportunity to explore other options because of more time available, and prayfully not get another horrid injury.

Just an idea, fwiw.

 

[duyetanh]

I know it may be too soon to talk about with her, but perhaps she could start coaching if/when shes ready?

Another great idea, but I have no idea how old the OP's child is. But even "junior" coaching, or shadowing when she is mentally there could be a boost. She would have to get through the loss though, and loss of this sport due to injury without another filler is hard.

 

[duyetanh]

I'm glad you're going to Vegas. That will help her transition to whatever comes next.

I'm not sure what you are thinking at this point, but if she is dead set on continuing to do gymnastics, would you and she consider XCel? My daughter has found that the lower practice hours are keeping her much healthier. She does some strength on her off days just to keep from getting too twitchy, but less time on the equipment and less pounding have been great. She switched from JO to XCel in June, and, knock wood, has not had anything other than minor illness or too much homework keep her out of practice since. Our program allows plenty of room for upgrading and she's actually gained a few skills since the switch. I've learned that it is a great alternative for girls who want to do difficult skills but whose bodies won't tolerate the 20 odd or more hours a week needed to compete JO L8 and above. Some girls on her Diamond team are competing double back dismounts and shoot halfs on bars, flipping Yurchenkos and Tsuks on vault, BHS-BHS and tucks on beam, and fulls and higher level twists on floor.

I should probably read all the replies b4 I post. Great minds....

 

[gymbeam]

Oh gosh, OP, I can only imagine the emotional roller coaster your family must be on right now.

I hope it won’t be long before you’re looking back at the time and able to be happy about it because I’m sure you will at some point- and your daughter will too.

As I’m sure you’re telling her, y’all will find new adventures and interests and have a great time doing it. Best of luck to you guys!

 

[B&M's mom]

Give her some time. Right now, she's grieving the loss but she may come around and realize that long term, this is best for her. My DD had the same experience of multiple season ending injuries. She actually decided to walk away before I made the call. It still took her a while to figure out what she wanted to try next and there are options! For my DD it was diving. She's now made it through two HS seasons with no new injuries. On the downside, she'll have to have knee surgery again once the season is over but its more genetics related than sports. She's now focusing on college diving and will likely be diving for a school in the fall. But the world is now open to your daughter, hopefully she'll find something she loves even more.

 

[Tuppy]

There's alot to do in Vegas. Without the stress of staying focused and not being worn out before your meet, I would suggest considering seeing what Vegas has to offer. I don't know what your daughter's injury is and if walking is out of the question, but we have gone to the Grand Canyon with the tours, doable if your session is in the morning or one of the later ones to cheer. A Cirque du Soleil show, or even pool time. You always make do with life. There are good things everywhere. I'm sure you can find something wonderful that fits.

She is still negotiating this morning for a come back plan. She is tenacious, for sure.

She is also happy that I told her we will still got to vegas this weekend to cheer on her team, since the tickets and room are already paid for and nonrefundable.

 

[LGnyc]

We have been weighing all the same considerations and my heart goes out to you and your dd. If we get there, I may PM you to hear how you handled the conversation.
Can I ask what the injuries have been? I'd love the perspective on what got you there.

Please keep us updated on how she navigates the transition. It would be great to hear what life looks like outside of all this.

Also we just went to Vegas for Xmas break. Happy to tell you all the things we did with our 11 yo and 14 yo. It was great. Hope she can let herself have fun there.

 

[NutterButter]

I'm so sorry @Texasmomof3 . Big hug to you. I've been following your DD's journey this entire time and was excited and pulling for her after reading your other update about competing L8. Your DD may already know in her heart that retirement is the best option and once she gets over the initial shock and disappointment of this recent injury she may feel relieved that it's over. I hope you will keep us updated on her transition. I've always enjoyed reading your perspective on things here on the CB.

 

[Texasmomof3]

Level 6 was a broken hand and torn groin. She managed to compete, but bars and vault were a mess because she got the cast off just before meet season and never had time to re-gain her strength.
Level 7 was stress fractures in both legs and multiple, repeated hyper-extended knees. She only competed bars and beam, and really should not have done that. It got so bad that she couldn't even walk between her classes at school without her knees collapsing on her.
Level 8: stress fractures back in both legs, so she has only been able to practice vault and was just cleared to try to piece together some semblance of floor/beam routines and get her vault back when last night happened: rotator cuff. So shoulder out, too.

Her body just cannot take the grind.

 

[gymmutti]

I am so sorry to hear this. It is unfair that injuries have to take our kids away from their passion before they are ready. My DD is one injury away from the same thing (and also 15). She missed the last two seasons as well so I completely understand your situation. Best of luck with the transition and enjoy Vegas this weekend.

 

[Flyaway]

I'm so sorry you're going through this. I hope as time passes and the shock lessens your dd will be able to carve a path out for herself, whether it involves gymnastics or not.

 

[LGnyc]

Level 6 was a broken hand and torn groin. She managed to compete, but bars and vault were a mess because she got the cast off just before meet season and never had time to re-gain her strength.
Level 7 was stress fractures in both legs and multiple, repeated hyper-extended knees. She only competed bars and beam, and really should not have done that. It got so bad that she couldn't even walk between her classes at school without her knees collapsing on her.
Level 8: stress fractures back in both legs, so she has only been able to practice vault and was just cleared to try to piece together some semblance of floor/beam routines and get her vault back when last night happened: rotator cuff. So shoulder out, too.

Her body just cannot take the grind.

I get it. That's quite a litany. But man, am I impressed that she has managed to stay in and stay engaged through all of that. We have all said how we hope our kids gain resilience and motivation from gym if nothing else. I believe yours must have those incredibly valuable skills in abundance.

 

[John]

I am not sure I could find the words to tell my daughter what you had to tell yours. I just want to say I am sorry your daughter has had these injuries. I only know you and her from here, this truly makes me sad. She is obviously a fighter and gymnastics has taught her both the difficulty and joy that life brings. Please consider if she truly loves gymnastics may be a slow transition of some sort, Xcel or coaching, allowing the end to come on her terms. What comes to my mind is something from psychology 101. The severity of the punishment is determined by the person being punished and not the Punisher. Applied to this situation this is probably one of the most devastating things to ever happen to her. She should be included in finding the end of her gymnastics.

 

[kayjaybe]

So sorry to hear this. And it seems like the injuries are all over the body, so tough to work around. I was originally thinking maybe she could be an event specialist. That is what my dd is considering for next year as her knees can’t take the pounding of vault and floor. But if she has all different injuries, that isn’t going to help.

From what I’ve seen of girls that have left this sport, either voluntarily or involuntarily, they all find another place to shine. I truly believe that gymnasts are a special breed that have such strength and passion, that after she mourns this loss, she will go on to find something else that she loves.

Until then, all you can do is support her and empathize with her over how much it sucks....and then help her seek out new things when she is ready.

 

[Deleted member 18037]

 

[Sasha]

Like others, just so sorry it has to be injuries making the decision for you and your daughter I can see myself making the same decision in your shoes, though, given the heart-breaking list of injuries you cited. At some point, we do have to step in and protect our babies.

Wish you both the best in a time of transition. May she soon see and experience new and rewarding opportunities that are now made possible.

 

[tpMom]

Oh my heart is aching for you and for her. I can't believe everything she's gone through. And, of course, you've gone through it with her. I hope that once she's had time to grieve she can find something she loves as much. My nephew was a national qualifying level 10 gymnast when injuries forced him out of the sport, he went on to become a very successful diver because he had good body awareness in the air and the ability to twist (per his coach). Maybe that is an option your daughter would like to investigate?