Cheer perfection

[Family Fun Mom]

I just watched 2 episodes yesterday. The mothers are ridiculous and act like junior high mean girls.

I do have one question--has it become more common for moms to hang out at practices? DD was involved in basketball, softball, and cheer growing up and I can honestly say I have never once watched her practice. I'd go to games but parents weren't encouraged nor did I want to sit around while she practiced so this seems super odd to me.

Not at our old gym. Parents are NOT allowed in while practice is going on. Ever. Once in a while we got invited in to see the progress but that was rare and always at the end of practice, like the last 15 minutes or something. If you paid for private lessons you could stay and watch that but my daughter wasn't comfortable with me there staring at her, so I always just dropped her off.

Even now, on high school competitive cheer, parents are not welcome. I totally understand. A coach needs to be able to do his/her job without the distraction of meddling parents. Even parents who don't "meddle" are a huge distraction. I coached elementary and middle school cheer myself and my first rule was NO PARENTS. I allowed them in the last 15 minutes to see what we worked on that day, but I never let them in while I was working with my girls.

 

[mhsjax]

Not at our old gym. Parents are NOT allowed in while practice is going on. Ever. Once in a while we got invited in to see the progress but that was rare and always at the end of practice, like the last 15 minutes or something. If you paid for private lessons you could stay and watch that but my daughter wasn't comfortable with me there staring at her, so I always just dropped her off.

Even now, on high school competitive cheer, parents are not welcome. I totally understand. A coach needs to be able to do his/her job without the distraction of meddling parents. Even parents who don't "meddle" are a huge distraction. I coached elementary and middle school cheer myself and my first rule was NO PARENTS. I allowed them in the last 15 minutes to see what we worked on that day, but I never let them in while I was working with my girls.

Sorry, but I disagree. Around here there is only maybe one gym where you can't watch. If I can't watch, they don't get my kid. Where we are, there is a window, it is sound proof and the kids can't see us or hear us. Parents aren't a huge distraction unless you can't handle your parents. We are welcome at our gym and any gym that can't deal with it, doesn't get my kid. Sorry, but we are paying the bill, and we are supporting your business.

Oh and they aren't "YOUR" girls, they are the parents girls. Sorry, but it is a hot topic with me.

 

[jrmasm]

What happened to the mom with the crutches and wrist brace? I flipped to this show during commercials of the show I was really watching. Was it a cheer accident? Last thing I saw before the crutches was her in the coach's house trying to do leg stretches or something.

 

[DopeyDame]

Not at our old gym. Parents are NOT allowed in while practice is going on. Ever. Once in a while we got invited in to see the progress but that was rare and always at the end of practice, like the last 15 minutes or something. If you paid for private lessons you could stay and watch that but my daughter wasn't comfortable with me there staring at her, so I always just dropped her off.

Even now, on high school competitive cheer, parents are not welcome. I totally understand. A coach needs to be able to do his/her job without the distraction of meddling parents. Even parents who don't "meddle" are a huge distraction. I coached elementary and middle school cheer myself and my first rule was NO PARENTS. I allowed them in the last 15 minutes to see what we worked on that day, but I never let them in while I was working with my girls.

While you may have lost mhsjax's kids, you'll be getting my kid signed up! I really don't understand parents hanging around and watching practice all the time. I know for sure that my son acts differently when I'm around, and I know from tutoring and teaching, that kids often act differently when their parents, or even other kids parents, are around. Obviously I'd expect to be able to drop in unanncounced for safety reasons, but I completely understand the standing rule that parents shouldn't be there for practice. I also would never want my kid with a teacher or coach who DIDN'T consider the kids "their" kids. It shows a love and dedication that I appreciate.

Fortunately, there are a lot of schools and gyms and clinics out there in the world, so hopefully everyone can find one that fits them.

 

[mhsjax]

While you may have lost mhsjax's kids, you'll be getting my kid signed up! I really don't understand parents hanging around and watching practice all the time. I know for sure that my son acts differently when I'm around, and I know from tutoring and teaching, that kids often act differently when their parents, or even other kids parents, are around. Obviously I'd expect to be able to drop in unanncounced for safety reasons, but I completely understand the standing rule that parents shouldn't be there for practice. I also would never want my kid with a teacher or coach who DIDN'T consider the kids "their" kids. It shows a love and dedication that I appreciate.

Fortunately, there are a lot of schools and gyms and clinics out there in the world, so hopefully everyone can find one that fits them.

Tutoring is different, in our gym there is glass that is sound proof and is mirrored. Those kids have no idea who is out there and who isn't. The girls at our gym have to come out to see if there mom is there. Also, if you don't want to stay, that is your choice and many don't, but don't ever tell a parent they "can't" stay. Most don't accept this very well.

 

[Family Fun Mom]

Sorry, but I disagree. Around here there is only maybe one gym where you can't watch. If I can't watch, they don't get my kid. Where we are now, there is a window, it is sound proof and the kids can't see us or hear us. Parents aren't a huge distraction unless you can't handle your parents. We are welcome at our gym and any gym that can't deal with it, doesn't get my kid. Sorry, but we are paying the bill, and we are supporting your business.

Oh and they aren't "YOUR" girls, they are the parents girls. Sorry, but it is a hot topic with me.

I coached at the rec level as a volunteer. It wasn't a business, it was just a fun activity. And parents would have had to be actually in the gym, on the bleachers, which is a huge distraction. Especially if they brought baby brother who cries, or little sister who is bored so she acts up, or big brother who the cheerleaders can't stop looking at and giggling about. If a parent had a complaint they could take it up with the program director and there was a whole board of people to go to if they didn't like how the program director handled it. I never had a single one complain.

And NOBODY complains about not being in the room during practice at the gym my daughter used to go to. Especially when their kids come home sporting as many National Champion jackets and medals as they do. If someone doesn't like how the owner runs her gym they are perfectly welcome to take their kids to one of the other gyms in the area. That almost never happens. People leave those gyms to come to her. But I'm pretty sure you can't watch practice at those gyms, either.

Coaches get attached to the kids they coach and we love them. I stopped coaching a few years ago but those kids will have a special place in my heart for the rest of my life. They are all in middle school and high school now. To this day whenever I see one of them I am greeted with big smiles and hugs, from their parents, too! They are my girls. They will always be my girls. Just like my daughter will always be her coaches' girl. I can't imagine why that would upset a parent. I'd be more bothered if a coach didn't feel that way about his/her athletes.

 

[mhsjax]

Tutoring is different, in our gym there is glass that is sound proof and is mirrored. Those kids have no idea who is out there and who isn't. The girls at our gym have to come out to see if there mom is there. Also, if you don't want to stay, that is your choice and many don't, but don't ever tell a parent they "can't" stay. Most don't accept this very well.

I don't always stay, but I do expect to be able to stay, luckily our coaches have no problem what so ever with us, as long as we behave, and we now this and do we behave.

 

[Hrhpd]

Former cheer mom from Arkansas I remember the team Cheer Time Revolution the last year DD was in All Star Cheer. They were not very good at all. As a matter of fact, another cheer mom was at my house last weekend and I was telling her about the show. She was shocked they used them for the show. No one in competitive cheer in AR would have. I am surprised that of all the squads in AR even, they chose that one. CCU would have been much better to follow. Cheer Elite in Memphis would have also been good. A level 2 squad is nothing to get so excited about and moms to get that insane to be on the squad. Granted, some squads will use some level 4 or 5 in with the level 2 kids just to help them out, but keep the skills used at the correct level. CTR didn't have a squad above level 2 when DD was cheering either. But, the reason why is most of the girls/guys with the level 4-5 skills in Sherwood will drive to Cabot or LR to cheer for CCU.

I also don't get the crazy mom stuff. We never had major drama. Of course there are moms or dads that people like more than others, but the drama would not be tolerated.

Edited: For school cheer, all cheerleaders around here have to have at least a standing backhand spring (prefer tucks), two good jumps, and a little dance. The dance is not complicated. The jumps are to be the best jumps they have. There were a group of parents whose daughters wanted to cheer so we had them start a class in 4th grade to make the 5th grade squad. DD started in gymnastics, but after falling on the balance beam in warmup (straddled it doing something, I forgot what, backwards) decided to finish out her second season and switch to cheer.

I think it is more that no sane gym, after seeing what TLC did with Dance Moms and T&T, would allow the TLC cameras in their gym. I am pretty sure I read elsewhere that TLC was having a hard time finding an All Star gym to let them in their doors. So, they went with their Toddler and Tiara parents.

 

[mhsjax]

I coached at the rec level as a volunteer. It wasn't a business, it was just a fun activity. And parents would have had to be actually in the gym, on the bleachers, which is a huge distraction. Especially if they brought baby brother who cries, or little sister who is bored so she acts up, or big brother who the cheerleaders can't stop looking at and giggling about. If a parent had a complaint they could take it up with the program director and there was a whole board of people to go to if they didn't like how the program director handled it. I never had a single one complain.

And NOBODY complains about not being in the room during practice at the gym my daughter used to go to. Especially when their kids come home sporting as many National Champion jackets and medals as they do. If someone doesn't like how the owner runs her gym they are perfectly welcome to take their kids to one of the other gyms in the area. That almost never happens. People leave those gyms to come to her. But I'm pretty sure you can't watch practice at those gyms, either.

Coaches get attached to the kids they coach and we love them. I stopped coaching a few years ago but those kids will have a special place in my heart for the rest of my life. They are all in middle school and high school now. To this day whenever I see one of them I am greeted with big smiles and hugs, from their parents, too! They are my girls. They will always be my girls. Just like my daughter will always be her coaches' girl. I can't imagine why that would upset a parent. I'd be more bothered if a coach didn't feel that way about his/her athletes.

we will have to agree to disagree. OH and lots of gyms win big titles and the parents are allowed to watch. But that is ok, there are lots of gyms out there, but those all star gyms are a BIG business and it costs a fortune, which I gladly pay, but I am welcomed to watch, and I wouldn't have it any other way/

 

[Hrhpd]

Sorry, but I disagree. Around here there is only maybe one gym where you can't watch. If I can't watch, they don't get my kid. Where we are, there is a window, it is sound proof and the kids can't see us or hear us. Parents aren't a huge distraction unless you can't handle your parents. We are welcome at our gym and any gym that can't deal with it, doesn't get my kid. Sorry, but we are paying the bill, and we are supporting your business.

Oh and they aren't "YOUR" girls, they are the parents girls. Sorry, but it is a hot topic with me.

Count our all star gym as another one that does not allow viewing all the time. We have a lovely viewing area where the parents can go and watch any of the floors. However, there are blinds on the outside (gym side) of the viewing area. They are closed 75% of the time and always before competitions. We have set weeks where we know they will be open and we can go watch the progress. It just took one or two parents sitting up there gossiping why kids were on a certain team and complaints being made to have the blinds put up.

And we are absolutely NEVER allowed in the gym. That is for cheerleaders and coaches only.

I have no problem with it. I trust our owners and our coaches completely. Our parents must all feel the same way as we have over 300 athletes, levels 1-5, tinies to seniors, and 2 Worlds teams.

Actually, I don't know very many elite gyms that allow parents to watch 100% of the time.

 

[mhsjax]

Count our all star gym as another one that does not allow viewing all the time. We have a lovely viewing area where the parents can go and watch any of the floors. However, there are blinds on the outside (gym side) of the viewing area. They are closed 75% of the time and always before competitions. We have set weeks where we know they will be open and we can go watch the progress. It just took one or two parents sitting up there gossiping why kids were on a certain team and complaints being made to have the blinds put up.

And we are absolutely NEVER allowed in the gym. That is for cheerleaders and coaches only.

I have no problem with it. I trust our owners and our coaches completely. Our parents must all feel the same way as we have over 300 athletes, levels 1-5, tinies to seniors, and 2 Worlds teams.

Actually, I don't know very many elite gyms that allow parents to watch 100% of the time.

We are never allowed IN the gym either. Did I say we were or should be? NO, I said we were allowed to watch, completely out of view from the girls, they don't even know who is in there. he viewing area had a mirror that sound proof and the girls can't see us.

I don't care how many teams and what levels and what competitions they have won. I have my views and I stick to them at this point. Being elite has nothing to do with it. It has nothign to do with allowing parents to sit in a viewing area, if they want to, which is glassed in, the girls can't see or hear us. I won't get into a contest over what gym does allow or doesn't allow or if they are elite.

YOu are happy with yours great, I am happy with mine. There is a gym for everyone.

 

[Hrhpd]

We are never allowed IN the gym either. Viewing area with a mirror that sound proof and the girls can't see us.

I don't care how many teams and what levels and what competitions they have won. I have my views and I stick to them at this point.

And you are entitled to them. Glad you found a gym that you can work with.

However, you stated that nobody around you limits viewing. I was responding to this and your statement that most people would not tolerate not being able to watch. Our 300 sets of parents have no problem with it.

I do not believe that to be true. I just asked my L5 daughter (the Worlds kids tend to talk to each other all over the country - one big family) and she sees to recall from a thread on another board that the majority of elite gyms have limited viewing of some kind or another, including she remembers, Top Gun, the most known gym in your state.

I am glad it works for you and your gym. But it is not the norm.

OH and lots of gyms win big titles and the parents are allowed to watch.

Tutoring is different, in our gym there is glass that is sound proof and is mirrored. Those kids have no idea who is out there and who isn't. The girls at our gym have to come out to see if there mom is there. Also, if you don't want to stay, that is your choice and many don't, but don't ever tell a parent they "can't" stay. Most don't accept this very well.

 

[ilovedisney1982]

Anyone watching?

I love Cheer Perfection!! Ann is hilarious and Alisha can get...passionate with the girls. My daughter's cheerleading is intense, but not like that!

 

[mhsjax]

And you are entitled to them. Glad you found a gym that you can work with.

However, you stated that everybody around you, along with most of the big gyms, allowed viewing all the time.

I do not believe that to be true. I just asked my L5 daughter (the Worlds kids tend to talk to each other all over the country - one big family) and she sees to recall from a thread on another board that the majority of elite gyms have limited viewing of some kind or another, including she remembers, Top Gun, the most known gym in your state.

Don't know about Top Gun, really I don't care. I am not there and they are not "around me" Yes I know who they are and they are great. The gyms around me DO allow watching. I know someone in almost all of them. Top Gun is not near me, yes they are in Florida but not near me. AGain, I don't care if you don't want to watch, I don't care how your gym does it, if you are fine with it, then great. I am not.

Not to mention, with 3 practices a week and it takes me 30 minutes to get there, I am not turing around and coming home. Huge waste of gas and I am the one responsible for taking 2 girls. I refuse to try and find a way to spend 2 hours 3 times a week because of a gym not allowing me to watch.

when she starts driving, I won't go nearly as much, but this is my child and I will watch when I want to. No reason not to. Again, those girls don't even know we are there, plus my child as do so many others, actually like their parents to watch. They have expressed that on the rare times I don't watch.

I will say it again. If you are ok with not watching that is great, I know lots of parents don't want to, but I do. I will only go to a gym that allows this, at this point in time. I have my reasons. If other parents don't want to watch, I have no problem with that and I have no opinion on that, it is their child and they know them best and we all have different situations. In my situation, I will watch, luckily my gym has no problem what so ever in parents watching as long as we stay with in the boundaries. And I do believe that they need to set very strict boundaries. I am not a coach, I don't question where or what my DD is doing, that is the coaches job. I just prefer to be there, and at this point in time I will be there. I am sure things will change as time goes on.

ETA, Those moms on Cheer perfection are crazy and I don't believe for one second that any coach would allow this behavior. It is totally unacceptable, and we, as parents in our gym, would be kicked out for this. And rightfully so.

 

[mfd25wife]

Our gym and most of the gyms in AR that I know of do allow 100% viewing. There are bleachers at one end. The gyms are so large though that it would be hard to distract the kids too much except for the minis and tinys. They would practice on the front mats. Youth, Junior, Senior practiced on the far side so they could have more tumbling room. Occasionally, they practiced outside if they were not tumbling. We all knew to talk to each other, read, whatever. They kept a tv in the front waiting area if someone wanted to do that. The hardest thing ever was seeing a child get hurt. The hardest thing for new cheer parents was to learn to leave it alone and let the coach check on them. The coach will call the parent over if they see it's an injury, not just hurt. Even though we were there a lot (unless we took off to go eat dinner ) we never had the crazy fights they show on C.P.

 

[ilovedisney1982]

Our gym and most of the gyms in AR that I know of do allow 100% viewing. There are bleachers at one end. The gyms are so large though that it would be hard to distract the kids too much except for the minis and tinys. They would practice on the front mats. Youth, Junior, Senior practiced on the far side so they could have more tumbling room. Occasionally, they practiced outside if they were not tumbling. We all knew to talk to each other, read, whatever. They kept a tv in the front waiting area if someone wanted to do that. The hardest thing ever was seeing a child get hurt. The hardest thing for new cheer parents was to learn to leave it alone and let the coach check on them. The coach will call the parent over if they see it's an injury, not just hurt. Even though we were there a lot (unless we took off to go eat dinner ) we never had the crazy fights they show on C.P.

I live in the vicinity of Sherwood, AR (where Cheer Perfection is shot) and my daughter's gym allows viewing of everything, except team or level-up tryouts. The only way a parent could be removed from the viewing area is if they were being disruptive to the practice. The moms in my gym (me included ) can get very competitive. Sometimes, we can get catty, but Cheer Perfection exaggerates it all. We never gossip about the girls. That's crossing the line. The coach/owner of my gym likes to take immediate action when she hears about "momma drama". I like Cheer Perfection for the laughs of what they make cheer moms look like, but the show is very stereotypical. One of my friends who's daughter cheers with mine takes offense to the show. Let me be honest, I can't blame her. If I were sensitive, I probably would too. Sorry for venting, but these are my two cents on the show.

 

[AngelaChon]

Hello,

I'm a high school cheerleader and I wanted to share my thoughts on how high school cheerleaders are treated and looked down upon as a sport--especially at my school.

I've shared my opinion in my school newspaper, and wanted it to reach out to a larger audience.

Please read and help our team and other cheer teams gain the recognition we deserve!
http://www.hwchronicle.com/opinion/how-about-a-little-respect/

Thanks!