Parents Having gymnast daughters is dangerous for me!

[dani4]

This evening I was doing my physical therapy exercises (for my bad knees) in the living room, when my younger daughter (4 1/2) joined me. I was doing my pathetic little squats and she started showing me how she thought I should do them- and of course I can't resist a challenge from my 4 year old so I copied her as best I could. This only encouraged her so she did a bridge, and I tried to do one and couldn't believe how hard it was! The last time I tried it wasn't a problem- granted that was about 3 years ago. I just always assumed I would always be able to do them- I used to do backbends and kickovers as a teenager (untrained). Anyway I am stupid. .. and I kept trying and finally got my head off the floor (not pretty) and felt a little strain in my knee. When I went back to my squatting exercises there was a sharp twinge- I had to quit. Who knew a back bend could hurt my knee?

This is what I get for letting my ego take over. ..

I'm pretty sure it's minor and I will be ok in a day or two, but I have to get over the fact that my kids are doing things I can no longer do. There's still plenty I can do that is going to take them several years!

 

[COz]

I hear you!

I've resorted to watching the little rec kids and going "yeah, I'm more flexible than those ones"...

 

[profmom]

I let DD run me through a "really easy" stretching warmup once. Never again! Just thinking back to the memory turns all of my ab muscles into tiny pathetic quivering balls of jelly.

 

[Popcorn]

Agreed. My splits look like I'm just standing with my feet apart. The kids say "Ok, now go into your splits" and I'm like "This is it".

 

[COz]

I have a splits goal for myself. I'm racing against some of the kids (they don't know they're involved in my race) and an impending birthday next year that will make me "old"
There will be a big post here if I manage it!

 

[Midwestmommy]

Don't encourage your 4 year old to do backbends/bridges. This can cause fractures that can go unnoticed until they put an early end to her gymnastics participation years down the road.

 

[mommyof1]

A few years back Santa Claus brought my daughter one of those folding foam floor beams and Mommy thought it would be fun to try a cartwheel on it--after all, I could do a cartwheel on the beam just fine a quarter-century ago! Both feet landed on the beam, then slid off in opposite directions. It took more than a year for those pulled muscles to heal.

Another time, I tried "bridge walking" because my daughter was doing it during practice and I didn't think it looked very safe. I was right.

 

[COz]

A few years back Santa Claus brought my daughter one of those folding foam floor beams and Mommy thought it would be fun to try a cartwheel on it--after all, I could do a cartwheel on the beam just fine a quarter-century ago! Both feet landed on the beam, then slid off in opposite directions. It took more than a year for those pulled muscles to heal.

Another time, I tried "bridge walking" because my daughter was doing it during practice and I didn't think it looked very safe. I was right.

Hahahaha. Lucky I'd just finished a mouthful of my food!

 

[COz]

I can get up into a bridge (I'm not saying that it's pretty...), getting down from it is a whole other story!
I'll be leaving that alone for a while.

 

[motigymnasticsmom]

DD wanted me to stretch with her the other day. I said nope, you will be pushing and pulling on me like you do your friends. I can still do forward splits, but no backbends. Oh gosh I need that tummy tuck soooo bad! Lol

 

[needcoffee]

A few years back Santa Claus brought my daughter one of those folding foam floor beams and Mommy thought it would be fun to try a cartwheel on it--after all, I could do a cartwheel on the beam just fine a quarter-century ago! Both feet landed on the beam, then slid off in opposite directions. It took more than a year for those pulled muscles to heal.

Another time, I tried "bridge walking" because my daughter was doing it during practice and I didn't think it looked very safe. I was right.

My DD once told me there was no way I could do a cartwheel. I'll prove you wrong, I thought. I used to be awesome at cartwheels! I'm sure they're still better than yours! Ended up with debilitating sciatic pain for over 18 months.

 

[COz]

I have a splits goal for myself. I'm racing against some of the kids (they don't know they're involved in my race) and an impending birthday next year that will make me "old"
There will be a big post here if I manage it!

I DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Down on my left if I pushed, down on the right with hands in the air!

 

[Iwannabemargo]

PICTURES !!!!! Need proof

 

[COz]

PICTURES !!!!! Need proof

There was a leotard involved - not going to happen!

 

[txgymfan]

Yay! Congratulations! I am soooo impressed!

 

[OzZee]

Go COz!!! Knew you could do it!

 

[raenndrops]

I have a splits goal for myself. I'm racing against some of the kids (they don't know they're involved in my race) and an impending birthday next year that will make me "old"
There will be a big post here if I manage it!

Every year, i do my splits for the team - just for giggles.
The new girls never believe that i can do it (no matter how many veteran team members, parents, and coaches confirm it).
It is funny when some of them realize my splits are better than theirs - other than i cant point my toes or my leg will completely cramp up, lol.

 

[GymMom4]

These are so funny!

Once upon a time I could do the splits, up the wall, even, but not anymore.

And, the last time I tried a cartwheel ( a few years ago) the ground never felt so far away. It was not like they say with riding a bicycle.