MAG How to know when its over?

[munchkin3]

DS has been doing this for many years. He has had many huge successful seasons and has really loved this sport.

Now he is at the beginning of puberty, his body is bigger, harder to deal with. He has gained a little weight, not alot, just a layer. Injuries have dominated the last year. He has lost skills.

As a Mom, I suspect it may be dying. DS is SOOOO adamant about staying, working and he insists he wants to make it to L10.

Although I will never tell him NOT to do what he loves, when does a parent gently guide a young man to a new sport?

Am I wrong? Is this sort of normal? should I keep urging him through this? Right now I am keeping my mouth shut about his sport....I only pester about school, and if he asks ME a gym question.

Let me know if your older gymmie has had a tough transformation.

 

[catou]

I recognize myself in your post. I got injured a lot once I hit puberty... at the age of 11. I kept training, missing competitions, some years competing in only 1 or 2. But I couldn't stop. Now I think my parents would have liked me to stop. They hated seeing me injured but they also wanted me to do the things I love.

Ultimately, I stopped because of injuries that would have given me long terms problems if I had kept training on them. I finally accepted the fact my body couldn't handle it anymore when my physio told me I had to chose between gym and being able to have a pain free active lifestyle.

Is this normal? Yes, he's just passionate about the sport. Also, injuries may be less frequent and lost skills may come back once he's used to his new body.

 

[MaryA]

I would only step in and say "stop" if, as in Catou's post, the injuries were going to cause long-term harm. It is our job as parents to see the long term ramifications. I suspect that either your son will "come out the other side" of puberty and things will start to get better, or else they won't and he will eventually want to stop. I think you are doing the exactly right thing. Be encouraging as long as this is what he wants to do, but make sure he knows that it is his sport and that you will in no way be dissapointed with him if he wants to do something else. If he brings up other things he would like to try, be a sounding board for his ideas and help him brainstorm ways to try them out, even if it means missing some gymnastics.

I can't speak to boys' development and how that affects their gymnastics, but I know that my DD went through a similar (though fairly short-lived) thing at the beginning of this past competition season, and she's not through with puberty yet, so I'm trying to brace myself for more of the same ahead.

 

[profmom]

Injuries are tough, and he's had a tough go! Who WOULDN'T be frustrated after the last several months he's had? I agree -- just keep supporting him and encouraging him. The summer may be a better time for him, since it's a whole different vibe when the meet season is over. And his skills aren't lost. They are just briefly missing. Once he's fully healed, they will come back. I have seen this so many times -- it feels like forever when the recuperating/rehabbing gymboy or gymgirl is building back up to where s/he was before, but if you ask the kid and the parents six months afterward, they will, just about without exception, say it took way less time than they thought it would.

 

[Gymdad2]

Have you had a talk with his coaches and doctor. They might be able to give an outside opinion about what would be best for him regarding his future prospects and health. It might help you (and him) decide what would be best. Good luck.

 

[Deleted member D3987]

DS has been doing this for many years. He has had many huge successful seasons and has really loved this sport.

Now he is at the beginning of puberty, his body is bigger, harder to deal with. He has gained a little weight, not alot, just a layer. Injuries have dominated the last year. He has lost skills.

As a Mom, I suspect it may be dying. DS is SOOOO adamant about staying, working and he insists he wants to make it to L10.

Although I will never tell him NOT to do what he loves, when does a parent gently guide a young man to a new sport?

Am I wrong? Is this sort of normal? should I keep urging him through this? Right now I am keeping my mouth shut about his sport....I only pester about school, and if he asks ME a gym question.

Let me know if your older gymmie has had a tough transformation.

how old is he?

 

[munchkin3]

12 and 3/4 ...lol

 

[Jenny]

If he really loves the sport he should continue. He is almost old enough to start helping with the little ones if he is interested in finding his way into coaching.

 

[iwannacoach]

I was going to ask about his age until I read dunno's post, but I'm curious about his level and the skills he's working on. I have a sense that some kids ability for skills can outpace their strength, even if they are meticulous in working strength conditioning. I don't know what others may feel, but he's at an age where his imagination and enthusiasm can vastly overshadow his strength and joint durability..... at least for now. Relief, if this is the case, is just around the "puberital corner," and when he rounds that corner he'll gain strength and durability from conditioning and maturation....... a rare instance of hormones being a good thing.

Try and stick it out, and encourage him to do the same, for another two years as long as the 'docs' are ok with it. Meanwhile, cross your fingers and hope both he and his coach can be patient enough to get him to his golden years of 15-18..... there ain't nuthin' like it.

 

[Deleted member D3987]

if his coaches know what they're doing, he will get past this. he is 5 years away from coming in to his own as a gymnast where development really begins.

 

[munchkin3]

Thanks a bunch on all the optimism. I am proud of his commitment (how much a 13yo can be!). I have stopped addressing his aches and pains etc. and for the first time in months, he said his wrist was fine and 'stop bugging me Mom!'....this is a good sign! I will be quietly vigilant of his phisical condition....He has obviously become more private about his body and I can totally respect that.
He is very excited about the summer and he is looking forward to getting back to some serious skills. For the next 3 weeks, he can work back up and hopefully he can train a bit harder. I dont want him to get re-injured! I want to also give him periods of time off to where he can do some other things.

He is L7/L8. After all the injuries, more L7....

In the end it will become apparent at some point as to whether he can get over this hurdle and continue, or if his body needs a different sport.