Parents Switching Gyms

[Tammie]

Hi! I am a counselor. Any kind of therapy and help is great for anyone. I don't think therapy is ever a bad idea, sports or otherwise. Children learning coping mechanisms early in life can only benefit the child. I think it's great.

Thank you for the input!

It was mentioned earlier in the thread by a child psychologist that if a child needed a SP to partake in the sport, maybe this wasn't the sport for them.

So while I had previously been so confident in that decision, I suddenly fell into the "typical mom mind-trap." Well, we don't need a SP to participate in the sport, we are just establishing a relationship. However, we are only establishing a relationship because we anticipate the need in a couple of years. Round and round I went, second guessing everything that had initially just seemed logical and natural-lol.

She has had a therapist previously(a "meltdown therapist"-he literally specialized in teaching coping techniques for autism meltdowns), helped her tons, 18mos and her coping skills were 1000x better(plus she was back in the gym-which is her happy place)!! I remember it taking a few sessions before she was truly comfortable and opening up, so the idea of establishing a relationship prior to any issues presenting themselves seemed very smart-and like maybe I could be ahead of the game for once.

Thanks so much for taking the time to respond!!

We will be getting the SP after the holidays as planned

 

[XcaliburG]

anyone has switched gyms recently and how it's worked out, especially for optional level gymnasts???

I’m curious how transition timing affects progress or team placement. Also wondering if anyone has experienced a culture shift....was it tough for your gymnast to adjust? Would love to hear some updates if people have more stories to share.

 

[drwho42]

We are at our third gym (high level optionals). The transition to the gym was fair and my DD is doing well. There is a culture shift any any gym change as the ecosystem within the gym (management, coaching, and team) are all contributing factors. Patience is key and checking in with your athlete from time to time to ensure they are comfortable with the change and develop their relationships with the coaches and teammates.

 

[Dahlialover]

I had multiple conversations with coaches and they all said, "her skill level is there, but she isn't ready emotionally." Mind you, the silvers practice 12 hours a week and the head coach has said, she "runs it like a JO program."

It sounds like the coaches are being honest with you when they tell you that the silver program at their gym is not going to be a good fit for your daughter emotionally. And if Bronze is not a good fit skill-wise, then the gym simply does not offer what you need.

My older daughter rightly so, wants to make a change but is heart broken. My younger daughter does not (she is an entirely different kiddo- not anxious at all). My older daughter is also a travel soccer player and moving gyms to one where silvers practice 7 hours a week versus 12 is going to be better for her. However, she is frustrated and embarrassed and does not want to be the "gym switcher."

She wants to change, that’s a clear sign. I would not worry about being an “gym switcher” because you are not changing between equivalent programs. A 7-hour Silver team and a 12-hour silver team are substantially different. It is a different product.

Has anyone switched gyms more than once? We trialed 2 gyms last week and she absolutely loved one of the gyms and felt happy after the 3 hours practice and made a friend!- smaller program, 7 hours per week, former level 10 and then D1 college gymnast as coach who is super knowledgeable, kind, made practice fun but challenging.

Seems like a great environment for her. I don’t think there is any question here. Good luck at the new gym.

 

[NutterButter]

Just pointing out that this thread is over 3 years old and the OP hasn't been around in a couple of years...