FlippinPrincess
Proud Parent
- Aug 22, 2016
- 261
- 552
I am the parent of a little aspiring gymnast. She is 4 years old and took her first rec class in June. In July we were being approached to consider what they call their pre-pre team class. (No competition stuff , just specific training for kids who show potential.) She LOVES going to gymnastics and the rec class was definitely not challenging enough for her. We were given all of the information on competitive gymnastics for the future to make sure we knew what we were getting into and to make sure we were okay with it. The head coach wants at least the parents to be committed to the team requirements (obviously we don't know if she will want that in the future) because there are limited spaces in the pre-team groups. Not going to lie, it terrified me! It's a huge time and financial commitment for these kids and their families. My husband was 100% on board because, as he said, we have no idea if she will want to continue with it in the future so we may as well start her out with the right training just in case she continues to excel and love it. I do love the coach she will be working with in the fall and she is confident that our DD will fit in skill-wise with the others in the group. She did tell me she is the youngest but definitely ready. My questions are: 1. Is it typical to ask parents to be committed (no contract) this early? and 2. Were any of you veteran parents terrified at the beginning of the gymnastics journey and do you have any advice or stories that may help calm my nerves? I know she will love the class and it won't be too much for her, I'm just nervous about the 3-4 years down the road if she does become a part of the JO team. This all seems to be happening so fast - I was unbelievably clueless about the team aspect of gymnastics.