Anon Young gymnasts training with older gymnasts

[Anonymous (0f81)]

Some of the younger girls at our gym have started training more with the higher level groups consisting of older girls. Unfortunately, my DD is not a fan of the mixed sessions. She says the older girls are bossy and she prefers training with the girls her age. I can understand this from her perspective. I actually took time to watch recently and she is right, some of the older girls are bossy like an older sister.

I also understand it from the coaches perspective. These few, younger girls are good. In the not so distant future they will be competing the same levels as the older girls. I don't see the gym carving out a special time slot for 3 girls just because they are younger. They need to be a team.

How would you talk to your young daughter about the situation?

 

[Gymnast_13]

I’m not a parent, but I am a gymnast, and I’ve definitely been on both sides of this. I’ve been the younger one feeling bossed around, and I’ve also been the older one (even if it didn’t always come across the best ). Training with older girls can feel intimidating at first, especially if they seem a little bossy. A lot of the time it’s not meant in a bad way, it’s just what they’re used to in their group.


What helped me was focusing on my own training and remembering that being around older, stronger athletes can actually push you to improve faster. At the same time, it’s totally valid that she feels more comfortable with girls her own age. Maybe it would help to remind her that she’s there because she’s good enough to be, and that confidence will grow with time.