Cheer moms - WWYD

[czycropper]

Here's the background. Both of my DDs are in a competition squad; they love it and love going to the competitions BUT the problem is with a particular coach which they both get on alternate years because of the grade divisions (3rd & 4th, 5th& 6th and 7th & 8th)and the fact that she's coaching since her daughter in on the team. Her DD is a year younger than my eldest and a year older than my youngest.

Usually when my eldest DD gets her it's not a problem other than 98% of the girls just don't like her. My oldest DD hates her yelling and attitude but really just rants when she gets home and that's it. She's one of their stronger dancers and a back spot so usually the other coach deals with her.

But it's always bad when my youngest DD gets her. YEP, this year she has her! She's a big time screamer, never gives any positive reinforcement or encouragement, never yells at her DD (since she's "perfect") or at her DD's BFF, she threatens with taking a girl off the team if the girl is late to either a practice or game (competitions don't start for another couple of weeks). Oh, she's also a 30-something that has tattoos and a nose ring (ok, I know that sounds catty but a Mom that also has an older teenager just shouldn't have one-in my opinion) and lets not even mention the way she dresses.

So this past weekend, she yells at my DD that she's weak, can't do a stunt, shouldn't be on the team. So DD comes home crying and saying that she and most of the team would love to see something bad happen to this coach. None of the girls like this coach and actually most of the parents don't like her either (not even the other coach on the team, who is a friend of mine). This coach is just not a people person.

So, here's the question - should we get a group of parents to speak with the Cheer Director? even though, the Cheer Director is the type that would take the coaches side. Parents are always calling me to complain and see if anything can be done legally (which, of course, we can't) BUT we're just at our wits end!!!

BTW - this coach is the modivating factor why my DD wants to do All Stars, so that she can actually get "a good coach", my DDs words.

 

[donnajon]

What if you got all of the other parents that are affected by this coach. If just a couple of parents come in, I can see her taking the coach's side but it would be hard to ignore every parent. I'm all for your daughter cheering all-stars but I have 3 kids doing all stars now. We love it! I can tell you that I wouldn't put up with a coach verbally abusing my child and that is what she seems to be doing. There are plenty of good coaches who would love to have your daughter on a team.

 

[Mimi1965]

Is this a paid position?

On my son's 7th grade baseball team we had parent volunteer coaches. one parent was EXTREMELY gruff-he's been coaching for years (older sons)and had an attitude.

One night the boys won-just barely- and he stood there berating them. We all HAD ENOUGH and rght there started speaking up to him-giving the boys "good job" and went on and on how great they were and talking about negative commets to the man

He stopped coaching then and there-and his SON did SO much better on the team not having this unattainable standard (his older brothers were better than him)

I say speak up

 

[kwitcherkicken99]

Talk to the other parents and get a feel for the situation. If the others feel the same way, then yes, you guys (as a whole, well majority) should approach the coach's superiors for a meeting with or without the coach.

If it's that bad, pull them from the team. You don't want them to start to resent something they truly enjoyed at one point.

 

[kellyg403]

So, here's the question - should we get a group of parents to speak with the Cheer Director? even though, the Cheer Director is the type that would take the coaches side. Parents are always calling me to complain and see if anything can be done legally (which, of course, we can't) BUT we're just at our wits end!!!

BTW - this coach is the modivating factor why my DD wants to do All Stars, so that she can actually get "a good coach", my DDs words.

Several things come to mind. Competition Cheer is usually an expensive sport. If several parents complain or remove their child from this coach's team, the Director will most likely see your side. Money is a very motivating factor when you own a business.

That aside, if the girls are taking the bad, turning it into motivation to succeed, I don't know that I would be doing anything other than speaking to the Director personally about my beef with this Coach.

My dd was on a competition squad, the coach's were great...the parents were a whole 'nother thing. I couldn't wait to not have to do it anymore. But she loved it, I grit my teeth and bare it and stay as friendly as I can. I am surprised sometimes by the way the coach speaks to the girls when she is mad or the stunt/cheer is taking to long to learn but none of the girls seem to do more than take it in stride.


Kelly