- Jan 9, 2011
- 142
- 133
So, after all of the cumulative issues my DD dealt with at her gym, I am proud to say that we ran. It took me a week to actually make it "official", as it seriously felt like I'd imagine a divorce would. We got our freedom, sanity and well-being, but the gym kept all of our close friends. 
So, the very next day I called a few area gyms. Of course it was the weekend of our state meet, so no coaches were available to chat or evaluate my DD. Of course, I understood that but it didn't ease my own anxiety much. Well, lo and behold the coach from one of the gyms called me on that Saturday, and was kind enough to spend a good 20 minutes on the phone with me. I was very frank (without bashing the other gym) and explained my DD's issues, as well as my own. I explained DD and I were both a little gun-shy to try again. We decided to let my DD practice there the following week. I was nervous as it's a bit of a trek (about 40-45 minutes with minor traffic).
DD absolutely loved the practice. She adored the coach and the girls really reached out to her. The first one, the coach had promised a treat since the girls all "did their best" at the state meet (L3), so she let them break 15 minutes early. She gave the girls cupcakes, gave high-fives and did some icebreakers to help my DD feel like part of the group. DD then did ballet for an hour (brand-new to her). Normally, they get the last 5 minutes of her gymnastic sessions as "free time", which DD loves. In fact, the ballet teacher even gave them 5 minutes of free time and each girl got a hand-stamp. I felt like I'd stepped onto another planet. This would never have happened at the old gym. My four-year-old son did not get "free time" in his rec classes.
Spoke to coach after the first practice and she said DD did great, made all requested corrections and was actually a bit ahead of the group. This will hopefully be good for her self-esteem. Coach guessed what gym we were out of and who my DD's coach was, and then told me that her younger sister had DD's former coach while at a different gym and had the same experiences. (Yikes). She switched gyms, also - and she'd been in optionals. She promised me no coach at this gym will tell my DD that "her cartwheels suck" (coaches words, not mine, but that IS a phrase that my DD had heard -apparently she was moving her head some on cartwheels).
Anyhow, it took me awhile to, but I sent an e-mail to the team director/coordinator at our former gym. I wanted some time to cool off, and I think I needed a few days to really come to terms with our decision to leave. I am going to miss so many of those families as well as the girls. In the e-mail, I was kind and calm but also honest. I wished the team well. She replied that she was going to "look into the structure of the Level 3 program." I really hope she does.
So today, after DD's 3rd practice, I signed the paperwork and handed over our life savings (kidding, though this gym IS much more expensive!). Briefly spoke with coach again today (she approached me) as DD has now re-developed her fear on handstand on the beam (she can do anything else on the beam, though, even the L4 dismount), which we just got over 2 months ago. Coach said that she is confident that my DD will get it back and she and my DD together set a goal to have it back by March. DD was relieved, and I was relieved that coach actually sat on the beam with my DD and talked about her fear. Coach said DD has really great form and that she's confident my DD will recover her handstand on the beam quickly and be ready to compete Level 4 in September. My brother has been planning to get her a beam for Christmas (he promised her one some time ago as a bribe), and I am hoping that this is coincidental/good luck and that by playing on it, she'll start to trust herself on it once again.
Next week the gym has a team Christmas party night. Instead of a "normal practice", the girls will get to play games, do an obstacle course, and exchange small gifts. Again, this is a wonderful, wonderful thing that has never happened at the "old gym".
DD is excited to go to practice again. It makes my heart smile.
So, the very next day I called a few area gyms. Of course it was the weekend of our state meet, so no coaches were available to chat or evaluate my DD. Of course, I understood that but it didn't ease my own anxiety much. Well, lo and behold the coach from one of the gyms called me on that Saturday, and was kind enough to spend a good 20 minutes on the phone with me. I was very frank (without bashing the other gym) and explained my DD's issues, as well as my own. I explained DD and I were both a little gun-shy to try again. We decided to let my DD practice there the following week. I was nervous as it's a bit of a trek (about 40-45 minutes with minor traffic).
DD absolutely loved the practice. She adored the coach and the girls really reached out to her. The first one, the coach had promised a treat since the girls all "did their best" at the state meet (L3), so she let them break 15 minutes early. She gave the girls cupcakes, gave high-fives and did some icebreakers to help my DD feel like part of the group. DD then did ballet for an hour (brand-new to her). Normally, they get the last 5 minutes of her gymnastic sessions as "free time", which DD loves. In fact, the ballet teacher even gave them 5 minutes of free time and each girl got a hand-stamp. I felt like I'd stepped onto another planet. This would never have happened at the old gym. My four-year-old son did not get "free time" in his rec classes.
Spoke to coach after the first practice and she said DD did great, made all requested corrections and was actually a bit ahead of the group. This will hopefully be good for her self-esteem. Coach guessed what gym we were out of and who my DD's coach was, and then told me that her younger sister had DD's former coach while at a different gym and had the same experiences. (Yikes). She switched gyms, also - and she'd been in optionals. She promised me no coach at this gym will tell my DD that "her cartwheels suck" (coaches words, not mine, but that IS a phrase that my DD had heard -apparently she was moving her head some on cartwheels).
Anyhow, it took me awhile to, but I sent an e-mail to the team director/coordinator at our former gym. I wanted some time to cool off, and I think I needed a few days to really come to terms with our decision to leave. I am going to miss so many of those families as well as the girls. In the e-mail, I was kind and calm but also honest. I wished the team well. She replied that she was going to "look into the structure of the Level 3 program." I really hope she does.
So today, after DD's 3rd practice, I signed the paperwork and handed over our life savings (kidding, though this gym IS much more expensive!). Briefly spoke with coach again today (she approached me) as DD has now re-developed her fear on handstand on the beam (she can do anything else on the beam, though, even the L4 dismount), which we just got over 2 months ago. Coach said that she is confident that my DD will get it back and she and my DD together set a goal to have it back by March. DD was relieved, and I was relieved that coach actually sat on the beam with my DD and talked about her fear. Coach said DD has really great form and that she's confident my DD will recover her handstand on the beam quickly and be ready to compete Level 4 in September. My brother has been planning to get her a beam for Christmas (he promised her one some time ago as a bribe), and I am hoping that this is coincidental/good luck and that by playing on it, she'll start to trust herself on it once again.
Next week the gym has a team Christmas party night. Instead of a "normal practice", the girls will get to play games, do an obstacle course, and exchange small gifts. Again, this is a wonderful, wonderful thing that has never happened at the "old gym".
DD is excited to go to practice again. It makes my heart smile.
<3 to your daughter. (i just learned that this symbol means heart...next week i'll be writing software)
...almost.
