Your kid is a Rock Star!... (Really?) Help!

[kidswife]

This is my first post. Please be kind!

My 5 y/o just started an intermediate 4/5 y/o class last month. At her class today, her coach (after just a month at the gym) asked me why I wasn't moving her up.

"I didn't know that was an option" I told him.

All their secret team classes aren't on their public flyers or website, so I don't know about them.

He tells me it would be 3x/wk and a lot more conditioning. He also thinks my dd is a "rock star" and will plan to have one of the team coaches look at her for her next week's class.

This poses many questions for me.... I would appreciate your opinions.

-- First, I loved gymn. as a kid, but was a wimp and I wimped out at age 13 due to lack of guts. That beam was too scary to do the things they started asking me to do, and I started to dread getting on it. But I still love watching it. I started late for a gymnast too. I wished that I was better and started younger and continued for longer. I worry I may be trying to live vicariously through my little girl. (Am I the only one with this concern??)

--Secondly, this is starting to cost more than I ever thought I would pay for any kind of private lessons on one child. I'd like her to do soccer & b-ball when their seasons come, as well as piano lessons, but the cost of the gym is a staggerring amount. Is it worth it??

--Thirdly, knowing that I want my dd in other activities, will getting her too good at this sport, so soon, make her not want to put in the effort at other sports where she doesn't do so well right at the beginning??

--Next, is all this early competition good for a little girl? Seeing skinny girls dancing around all the time, watching girls attempt stunts she's never seen before, experiencing defeat at such a young age.... is this a good thing?

--Strangely, I'm also wondering if this sport makes girls short. Is it healthy for a 5 y/o to hit the gym 3x/wk? Why are none of those Olympic girls over 5 ft tall?

--Lastly, we're a homeschooling family. At least for now. My 5 y/o is the oldest and so far I'm loving doing the homeschool thing for kindergarten, and look forward to 1st grade next year. She's plenty social, but I just wonder if that part of her background would factor in as a good or bad thing in all this.

Hey--- thanks y'all... to anybody who bothered reading about my concerns, and more thanks in advanced to those of you who will take the time out to comment. I really appreciate having this chance to vent!

-New Gym Mommy

 

[bogwoppit]

Firstly let me welcome you to the Chalkbucket, it is a great place and we are all learning so much from each other.

I will try to answer your questions from my persepective, I know other folks will join in , we love to share!

1. Only you can know if this is true. As long as you are not pushing her to do gym as in would she rather be doing something else, then it is not an issue.

2. Gymnastics is expensive and preteam is just a drop in the bucket compared to what team can cost. But remeber every gyms costs are different, you may have to shop around for the place that fits your child and your budget. I assume when you mention private lessons that your child is not having one on one lessons at the gym. That wouldn't make a lot of sense for a beginner. Only you can decide if the money is worth it, many of us here struggle to keep our kids in gym as it is their passion, all about choices I guess.

3.Many gymnasts at a young age exel at many activites and often choose to stick with gym, or quit, when they reach team. Though there are many gymmies here who do multiple activities and continue to excel. Homeschooling definitely gives more flexibility to do more.

4.Usually girls do not compete until 6 or 7 in the USAG system. AT that young age they often don't notice scores as much as older girls. They will also compete in their age group, not against 14 year olds. As for experiencing defeat, or winning for that matter, is just another life experience. Some kids thrive on competition, others do not. You know your DD the best of all.

5. I can 100% guarantee that gymnastics doesn't make gymnasts short in the same way that basketball doesn't make players tall! It is just that those gymnasts you see at the Elite level have a body type that is more suited to gymnastics training and have stuck with it. Gym will not stunt your growth.

6. Homeschooling is great if it works for you. Part of that is always working on socialisation. I know the parents on here who homeschool are involved in groups that offer field trips etc. Gym is a great social activity, some of my girls best friendships were made in the gym. Girls that love gym love it regardless of their schooling.

Best of luck on this new gym journey. Take it easy and remeber that this is just the beginning, so try not to get to worried about the new stuff.

 

[gracefulone]

I'm just going to respond to the ones I have a formulated opinion on.

Cost is an issue that can be addressed time and time again. If you can do it, I feel like gymnastics is worth it. It teaches you so much. Our high school gymnastics team had the highest average GPA of all the sports. It teaches confidence, discipline, patience, dedication, the list goes on and on. I wrote so many scholarship essays on what gymnastics has done for me because I feel that strongly about it.

If she wants to do other sports she will probably succeed at them as well. Getting good at gym does not necessarily mean she will try less at other things. A few examples...a level 9/10 by 10th grade also carried the state champion golf team for 3 years in a row. A level 9 turned high school 3-peat state champ also took 4th in the state in pole vault and is now at college competing gymnastics and track. Level 8 freshman ran cross country, was in an honors band, and did track.

This sport doesn't make people short, it just so happens that it's easier for short girls based on the laws of physics. I can only think of one 'tall' Olympian off hand...Svetlana Khorkina was 5'6" or 5'7" I believe. Nastia is over 5' I thought. Anyway I know for certain that Svetlana was very successful in the sport.

We had a homeschooled gymnast in our gym. She was probably more social than I was . In all seriousness, gym would only help her. The girl I knew also did theater. She came to my school's homecoming dance and had a blast meeting all the new people. I don't feel that homeschool is any sort of negative at all.


That being said, she's so young. If she loves it and you can handle it, I'd say let her do it. Once she stops loving it though, it has to end there. Gymnastics isn't a sport you can do for anyone else. It has to be for you.

 

[gymmomntc2e6]

Hi and welcome to CB !! It sounds like your DD is very talented. It is really hard to say what is right for you and your DD, what I can do is tell you what I do know.

My DD is 9 and a level 4. She does not excell, just an average gymmie ( and that is fine ). She actually did 2 seasons at level 3, trying to focus on form ( her big struggle ). She started in preschool classes at 5 which were 45 min per week. From there she moved to recreation class that was one hour per week, then preteam twice a week.

Your DD is young, if there Re other sports you want her to try it may be best to keep her in her current class, try the other sports and see what she seems drawn to. If your gym competes USAG she cannot compete level 4 until she is 6 years old anyway. Some gyms compete level 2 & 3 so then she could compete at a younger age.

My DD was extremely shy and lacked self confidence. Since shestarted competing she has blossomed. She is outgoing, funny and self-confident. Things she herself attributes to gymnastics. But, there is no hurry to ju
p in to 3 days a week if you are not ready. Could you talk to hjem about maybe going to 2 days for now.

Gymnastics is expensive and when she starts competing it will getire expensive so I would try to get info up front on what level they start competing at, leotard & warm up costs, how many meets they do per season, average meet fee etc.

There really is a lot to take in, again your DD is young, no need to rush into 3 days a week if you are not comfortable with that. Only you know your DD, and what she can handle, or what you as a fily can handle.

Sorry for the novel : )
hope it helps !!

 

[thnkGd4kds]

Welcome to CB!

You can rest assured that you aren't living vicariously through your dd and that it's "worth it" if you can look at your dd and honestly know without doubt that she loves gymnastics, and that it's all about her! (I periodically ask my dd, "Who are you doing gymnastics for?" She answers, "Myself and God!" It's a good reminder for both of us.) If it's her passion, it's worth it, in my opinion. (See a recent thread entitled, I believe, "Why?")

I can address the homeschool "issue" since I've always homeschooled my 4 children (dd 12, dgymmie 9, ds 7, dd 4). Without placing judgement on those who don't homeschool (we all know the schooling option is a personal choice), this is what I've loved about homeschooling a girl who happens to be a gymmie and other children who are also heavily involved in activities:
--We don't have to worry about fitting in homework. (Not an issue for you now, but it obviously will be if your dd continues.)
--DD has plenty of time just to be a kid.
--DD can sleep in after a demanding workout or a meet weekend.
--My dd is social, and this, along with getting together with other homeschoolers, provides a great outlet for her social needs.
--Gym has shown her how to deal with some issues that school children learn to handle. This is not always an exactly positive thing, in my point of view, but it can be looked at in a positive light as learning life lessons. When she encounters situations, we have a lot of time to talk about them in her own way.
--DD learns to deal with coaches/instructors other than us (although she also learns this at other places including our homeschooling co-op, church, and at piano lessons).
--Those expensive privates, if your dd needs them sometime in the probably distant future, are easier to schedule.

 

[Aussie_coach]

Gymnastics does not make you short. Its just people who are short tend to excel at gymnastics, just as people who are tall tend to excel at basketball. At the regular competitive level you will see lots of tall girls, its just those who make it to the elite level tend to be naturally shorter because they succeed more at the sport.

Gymnastics no more makes you short than basketball makes you tall.

 

[Gymdad2]

Like the others said, I will answer the parts of your questions where I have experience. What I know is Time and money - aren't those always our biggest problems. Gym is a wonderful sport and all the good things about gym the others have said apply to my dd as well, but there is a downside. If she stays on a club team the cost will go up and up. I don't know what you situation is, but I spend $4000 a year for tuition, $1000 for meet fees, $1000 for coaches travel and meet expenses and who knows how much for gas, food, hotels, air fare, etc. traveling to meets but its a bunch. As for time for other activities, dd is at the gym 24 hrs a week, (more in the summertime) 51 weeks a year. That plus school and homework doesn't leave much time for other sports or activities. I encourage her to have friends outside gym but she struggles to find the time. I hope this will help with your decision - Good luck to you and your dd.

 

[Flippers Mom]

I'll only chime in where I feel I have some insight. Flipper started going to the gym when she was 3.5 - started competing at 6. At level 4, she only went to the gym twice a week for 1.5 hours each time. Gymnastics is a wonderful sport that teaches our kids so much, but if what they are asking you to do makes you uncomfortable, say no! Don't get pressured into sending your child more then either of you wants to be there. Odds are that she won't be going to the olympics, so relax and enjoy going at a level that is comfortable. Regarding putting too much pressure on our kids and winning/loosing: At my daughter's first meet, Flipper did well and received medals. She came running up to me and announced, "Look what they gave me, and I would have done it for nothing!" My little bugger felt no pressure and was just thrilled to be showing off what she had learned. She is now 10 and highly competitive - but admits that most of the pressure she feels comes from herself. Competitive gymnastics is VERY expensive - competely worth it for us because our daughter loves what she is doing and gains so much confidence (and other skills) from it. You know what is best for you and your daughter. Follow your instincts!

 

[kidswife]

Thanks for sharing the money side of this. Now I'm wondering if most sports are like this anyway. All the time & money....

 

[MdGymMom01]

Pretty much

Thanks for sharing the money side of this. Now I'm wondering if most sports are like this anyway. All the time & money....

Hello--I just wanted to add my 2 cents and say welcome to the CB!! My dd started out in competitive All-Star Cheer before we switched to gymnastics. She was in cheer for 3 years from ages 6 to 9. And by our 3rd year we were at a very competitive gym that traveled a lot and it got VERY expensive. Between the tuition, comp and travel fees, private tumble lessons and stunting classes, I was shelling out a lot of money. It kind of sneaks up on you and when you start adding it all up that is when it hits you. I know some friends who are still in cheer and they spend astronomical amounts of money LOL.

My dd decided to switch to gymnastics and I am grateful because the league she is in only has 6 meets a year and they are relatively close (the farthest one is maybe 2 to 2 1/2 hrs away by car). And plus she is in the gym for only 7 hours a week so she has time to do school activities and fit in some dance classes here and there,

I think any sport that is very competitive will get very expensive and will end up being a very big time commitment. The key is to try and balance out your dd's life and make sure that she isn't being overwhelmed. There will be times when all she wants to do is eat, breathe and sleep gymnastics, but like anything, that will soon taper off and the newness and excitement won't always be there. Gymnastics is a wild ride so hold on tight!!!! And it helps to try and stay grounded with everything involved with it and remember that the important thing is to have fun--especially when the child is still only 5 years old.

Good luck!

 

[bogwoppit]

Nothing to do with the thread, but MD I love your profile pic!!

 

[tumblerK]

Gymnastics is most definitely worth it. It makes strong, confident, determined kids who know the value of hard work. I was always asked in high school if being in gymnastics and missing things like formal dances for competitions, hockey games for practice, and parties for homework, sleep, and post-practice icing was worth it considering I wasn't getting a gymnastics scholarship or anything like that. It's completely worth it. Every minute of it. I'm only 18 years old and I know what my passion in life is. Not many people can say that. I wasn't elite or anything either, I just spent 8 years at the local Y and I'm proud to say I competed one meet of level 7. It was all worth it.

 

[MdGymMom01]

Nothing to do with the thread, but MD I love your profile pic!!

Thanks Bog!!! Isn't it nice when you have "girly" pics of your dds not with their hair up and in a leo!!!!

 

[kidswife]

If you can do it, I feel like gymnastics is worth it. It teaches you so much. Our high school gymnastics team had the highest average GPA of all the sports. It teaches confidence, discipline, patience, dedication, the list goes on and on. I wrote so many scholarship essays on what gymnastics has done for me because I feel that strongly about it. quote]
---------------------------------------------

Is there any way I could read some of your essays about how gymnastics helped to develop you as a person. Or maybe just the relavant parts??? That sounds very interesting.

 

[emorymom]

--We don't have to worry about fitting in homework. (Not an issue for you now, but it obviously will be if your dd continues.)
--DD has plenty of time just to be a kid.
--DD can sleep in after a demanding workout or a meet weekend.
--My dd is social, and this, along with getting together with other homeschoolers, provides a great outlet for her social needs
....
--Those expensive privates, if your dd needs them sometime in the probably distant future, are easier to schedule.

Certainly I agree with everything you wrote about home schooling, particularly what's above. My 6 yo DD spends plenty of time roaming the neighborhood and playing dolls, and gets to do other activities seriously too. And she is the one wearing me out; but I always know if she's worn herself out, she will just sleep in.

 

[tumblerK]

Is there any way I could read some of your essays about how gymnastics helped to develop you as a person. Or maybe just the relavant parts??? That sounds very interesting.

I've got an scholarship essay I wrote about gymnastics that won me $500 if you would like to read it.

 

[momto2]

Thank you for posting this, I am in a similar situation. I have many of the same questions/fears that you do. This was very helpful!

 

[flipperflex93]

i definately think you should do it! i am 16 and a level 7/8. as i look back on my gymnastics career, i really wish my parents wouldve pushed me! so i think you should definately go for it! if she doesnt like it, alls you have to do is go back to rec classes...

 

[bogwoppit]

HOw on earth do you end up dragging up a year old thread, especially when the OP isn't even around any more. Weird!

 

[MdGymMom01]

You may be on to something Bog. I wonder what kind of old obscure threads I can dig up and find on the CB!! I feel a challenge coming on!! LOL