State meet was yesterday and well run and enjoyable.
I had read in the program that if we wanted there would be a time at AA that we could present DD with whatever flowers, gifts, etc we had for a photo op.
I don't get DD gifts for attending meets because it is not in line with my values, nor my husband's. We are pleased to pay her meet fees for driving-distance meets. I attend and if DH has to work then DS has to attend. Her coach presents them with a little gift basket or bag after each meet. I contributed to the stash for this. We go out for a nice meal before / after if that fits into the day and driving. The girls get tons of medals even for placing in the bottom half. I'd say my daughter was in the bottom 2/3 on all events and still got medals for 3 events. I'm very proud of her for her personal progress and think she's the sun and the moon. But as to the material stuff and expense she's already getting, on the whole it's a bit crazy to begin with IMO.
My position is that she should understand that gym is a privilege and not an entitlement nor has she invented the wheel or published her first novel (as a level 2 gymnast). Ideally she'd be thankful for us giving up our day yesterday to support her at her request but I don't expect her to be buying us flowers at age 6. Of course I am just there to support her and love her to pieces but if she is in gym to get a gift we need to get her out of gym speedy quick.
My problem is that once all the girls had assembled in the awards area they announced ... in front of the girls, not briefly, but with a complete explanation ... about the gift presentations and that anyone who had not gotten a gift but wanted to participate could go over to the tables right over there and get a gift. They then seemed to wait on the parents who were purchasing flowers, lollipop bouquets, etc. for the awards to start but perhaps they were waiting on the results, IDK.
I thought this was very tacky and at the expense of the girls who were not getting a gift for whatever reason. In fact it seemed quite out of line to end any girl's day on a low note for any reason!
Just to reiterate, my daughter was sitting there at awards in a $172 outfit, at a meet we spent $62 on, wearing four clinky medals, in possession of her gift bag from her coach containing things like little toys, a meet t-shirt, etc. I packed her a chocolate bar for after and when it was all said and done her brother and I were out of the house with her from 12:00-9:30. And of course her coach will be exhausted on Monday.
It wasn't a horrible thing to be able to talk about this briefly when she asked why she didn't get flowers, but ...
I just don't understand the emotional blackmail for me to spend another $8 on a few flowers that will be dead in 3 days.
I wonder if I should send a letter and to whom. Is this kind of thing accepted these days?
I had read in the program that if we wanted there would be a time at AA that we could present DD with whatever flowers, gifts, etc we had for a photo op.
I don't get DD gifts for attending meets because it is not in line with my values, nor my husband's. We are pleased to pay her meet fees for driving-distance meets. I attend and if DH has to work then DS has to attend. Her coach presents them with a little gift basket or bag after each meet. I contributed to the stash for this. We go out for a nice meal before / after if that fits into the day and driving. The girls get tons of medals even for placing in the bottom half. I'd say my daughter was in the bottom 2/3 on all events and still got medals for 3 events. I'm very proud of her for her personal progress and think she's the sun and the moon. But as to the material stuff and expense she's already getting, on the whole it's a bit crazy to begin with IMO.
My position is that she should understand that gym is a privilege and not an entitlement nor has she invented the wheel or published her first novel (as a level 2 gymnast). Ideally she'd be thankful for us giving up our day yesterday to support her at her request but I don't expect her to be buying us flowers at age 6. Of course I am just there to support her and love her to pieces but if she is in gym to get a gift we need to get her out of gym speedy quick.
My problem is that once all the girls had assembled in the awards area they announced ... in front of the girls, not briefly, but with a complete explanation ... about the gift presentations and that anyone who had not gotten a gift but wanted to participate could go over to the tables right over there and get a gift. They then seemed to wait on the parents who were purchasing flowers, lollipop bouquets, etc. for the awards to start but perhaps they were waiting on the results, IDK.
I thought this was very tacky and at the expense of the girls who were not getting a gift for whatever reason. In fact it seemed quite out of line to end any girl's day on a low note for any reason!
Just to reiterate, my daughter was sitting there at awards in a $172 outfit, at a meet we spent $62 on, wearing four clinky medals, in possession of her gift bag from her coach containing things like little toys, a meet t-shirt, etc. I packed her a chocolate bar for after and when it was all said and done her brother and I were out of the house with her from 12:00-9:30. And of course her coach will be exhausted on Monday.
It wasn't a horrible thing to be able to talk about this briefly when she asked why she didn't get flowers, but ...
I just don't understand the emotional blackmail for me to spend another $8 on a few flowers that will be dead in 3 days.
I wonder if I should send a letter and to whom. Is this kind of thing accepted these days?