I was thinking the same thing, these are so negative.
I wish I had known that injuries would prevent her from making that college team that was her goal. She had offers, it didn’t work out.
But I also wish I had known how much I would love this sport and love my girls being in this sport! How much I would enjoy watching them amd how I’d tear up at awards. How their teammates and team parents would be closer than family, would look out for them when I wasn’t there, would be their best friends. How much FUN it would be in spite of the long hours and sacrifice of time and money. How I wish I had known sooner how great being a judge would be! And how many opportunities the sport would open for my daughter and me beyond club competitions.
And I wish we could go back in time and do it again. I’d enjoy it more and worry less, we would take those vacations though, and I’d remember to marvel at how amazing they are out there. I have one more chance to do all that, and I don’t want to forget these things.
Maybe I should clarify that IF we lived in an area where strong gymnastics programs are more accessible, I would likely feel different. So I would definitely factor in where you live and what gym options you have before you get too deep into this sport. I agree with some of these positives. It is very true that they work so incredibly hard that I couldn’t be prouder or more happy for them when they do well at meets. And this is terrific advice about taking the vacations.