Thanks, again.
Well, I have two big hesitations to leaving. One is distance. Again, I don't mind the actual drive at all - to be honest it would be nice for DD to have that downtime and would allow me to unwind a bit. The problem is she'd consistently be 15-20 minutes late to every single 2-hour practice. I think that's sort of big, though I explained it to the new gym and she said she'd be ok with it. Should DD get her skills and learn the routines to compete L3 there (again, fine with me either way there - March is the last meet of the year there so she'd have some time), and she moves up to L4, their other gym is yet another 15 minutes further just in time for school next year.
When I say I know we'll move eventually, I know we'll move when we maybe have flexibility in her school schedule, or earlier release (thinking middle school - a ways off - and that's if she continues as a gymnast of course). I am also DD's girl scout leader, and we'd scheduled the meetings around gym, and at the new gym she'd need to leave class early then once per month, while also missing the one-hour dance component once per month that the girls will stay late for.
Also, I am taking into consideration DD's anxiety. Take away that one day, and DD has been extremely comfortable there all summer. She has been ready to go to every class, no tummy ache complaints and none of the headaches we handled Jan-May. I am scared that moving her will cause a "relapse". Her neuro thinks her headaches are triggered by stress. She takes a very long time to feel comfortable in a new situation. And I mean months-years.
There is one other gym I could have DD test at that is closer to home and a more doable drive - more like a 15 minute drive rather than 30-40. But, as we have a family member competing for that gym, I'd like to be 100% we're ready to make a move there before actually testing. Also, they don't ever compete with our current gym, so it's hard to know how "good" they are - though my (much younger) cousin won state as a 12 year old L3, so there's that. They're also quite a bit more pricey - no prohibitively so, but it's a consideration. BUT - they also have a TOPS option, which to be honest, might be more up my DD's alley. She (insanely) loves the conditioning. At least for now.
I am trying my best to reason with myself that this is the "last chance" for the gym - though no decision has yet been made either way (stay vs. go). I still feel completely torn. I am going to try to approach DD's coach today and see what happens there. I do get frustrated with their holier than thou mentality. Though every time I have spoken to a team person that ISN'T DD's actual coach, they've been quite reasonable and fair. I can do fair. DD should NOT have been left there. They were in the wrong 100% - DD is a minor and was within their care. It was wrong and they are very lucky she is just fine. I am still angry over it. But I am also using it as a learning experience for DD that she needs to attempt to approach adults, etc, even if she doesn't "talk" per se. This could have theoretically happened anywhere - I am glad it was somewhere air conditioned, with seats, food and water. DD was upset, but after overhearing DH and I talk, she begged me not to make her switch gyms. So heartbreaking. She has a gym BFF there, us moms carpool, DS loves his (rec)coaches and loves it there, too. Does this erase all of the "good"? I still can't decide. So I guess my next move it to see what coach says later...
P.S. DD's coach will also be the head coach for L4 next year should she stay. So, I am being aware that we'll need to deal with the "customer service" we're receiving from her for awhile. At least 16 months, if she makes L4 and passes first try! That was our first and only gripe with the gym, this spring. :frustrated:
