My DD is in the same boat...does she continue on with gymnastics or quit and do HS sports? Gymnastics is her passion but not her talent. She just finished her 2nd season of L8 and will graduate from 8th grade next month. She's not a strong gym performer...always gets some medals but she's at the bottom of the pack at her competitive gym. She has a hard time acquiring skills/takes alot of time, and that's been impacted by multiple (but not career ending) injuries over the past two years. But she's injury free right now. DD has been able to continue to play soccer (dropped club soccer in 6th grade due to gym so just does higher level rec team) but only because the soccer coach allows her to skip practice entirely and play games around gym schedule. I really don't know how kids train in gym 24 hrs/week and meet other sports' commitments otherwise. DD also would be interested in cross country if no gym. At our small HS, she would be able to do both CC and soccer, and training starts this summer...but... the girl STILL wants to try for L9! I hate for her to give up the opportunity to meet new friends at the start of HS through sports (she is coming from a small private school joining a HS where most kids already know one another). But yet, as a mom, I will never tell her she should give up on her dream of being a 'higher level optional' simply because her natural athletic talent lies elsewhere...because it's not all about winning; it's about working hard and doing your best. How can I discourage her efforts to do just that? We have discussed the pros/cons of continuing in gym past this summer, vs. 'moving on'. Right now, she's giving herself until August to get all L9 skills and if she doesn't have them, she says she'll retire from gym and move on to HS sports. I believe she'll have the skills in some shape/form (she has many now) but not competition worthy; if that happens, I suspect she'll give up freshman year sports (and the acclimating to HS that would come with that) for even a chance at L9. I have made peace with it. Even at a small HS here (less competitive sports divisions), it's just not possible to do HS sports and gym. Both practice every school day during the season (also, HS sports have preseason, though she could miss that and theoretically still make the team). Tough stuff. Advice appreciated from 'been there done that' parents!
