Competitive Gymnastics - Need advise from parents

[drinkme]

My dd10 is a figure skater and got so burnt out. She still competes and takes lessons, but I also started her in gymnastics. I figured it couldn't be MORE expensive than skating...lol.

So, dd started gymnastics at the beginning level and after just a few weeks got moved up 2 levels. Not sure what the level is, I don't think she's in a Level 3 or whatever everyone is talking about on this thread (I'm really clueless), because it's just a rec gymnastics class, not the competitive. Anyway, her 5 years of skating really helped her with her balance and it shows on the beam. So, her motivation is now there for gymnastics, AND skating.

I think she just needed to do some other activity. Since she's not at the rink 7 days a week she'll never be a top skater. WHO CARES! She has fun competing in skating, and has fun learning a new sport (the gymnastics).

I feel a 10 year old shouldn't be focused on just one thing. See if your child wants to back down a bit with the competitions and maybe try a new sport.

 

[singnring]

Thanks to all of you for the advice!

We have decided to just back off, as we have now found out that the coaches are really pressuring all of the team girls.
So for DD to get it at the gym and at home, we know is too much for any kid.

She had a meet this week-end, and though three of her scores were only 8.6, she had what we considered her best beam routine since she started last year. It wasn't her best score, but it was her best performance.
She also took first place in her age group for bars with a 9.125.
That really boosted her spirits, as she said she didn't think she could ever take first against the other team girls. (That sure gave some insight on the situation!)

On the way home and before bed last night, DH and I just talked to her about how proud we were of her for all of the things we saw in her routines that she'd improved on since the last meet.
There was major improvement in at least one element of every routine. We really stressed those positive aspects and encouraged her to keep working at improving things from meet to meet.

She seemed really happy with things, and we left it at that.
We decided her being happy is more important than good scores. If she chooses to continue next season, great. If she doesn't, we'll try to find something else she's interested in.

Thanks again for all the great feedback on this!

 

[fletchers5]

Congrats to your daughter and to you....Sounds like she had an awesome meet and it is so great to hear a parent HAPPY and PROUD of their child. You keep encouraging your daughter they way you are and she is going to grow up to be a beautiful person.

Just a little insight on the scores. As a gymnastics coach...the one thing I tell my gymnasts before a meet " don't worry about the scores...each judge is different and looks for different things. Focus on one GOAL per event. Strive to meet your goals. Scores are great but they aren't the most important thing" I would have the girls write down their goals for the meet and give them to me. Then we would address these goals after the meet. The girls were more focused on achieving their goal than what their score was.

It sounds like you focused on her improvement which is great. You just don't want your daughter to focus on the scores. If she is happy with how she did whether or not she won ...that is the KEY..

Tell you daughter I am sending a big WHOO HOO to her.

 

[bamagymmom]

I have two DD in competitive gymnastics. Imagine my monthly gym bill DD12 is a terrible tumbler, but rocks on the beam and bars. She decided this year just to do prep-optional gym. One less day a week practice and she can focus on skills for bonus points. She started taking tennis this fall(she doesn't compete gym until Jan.) and LOVES it. She started in an intermediate class and was worried that she had never had lessons and would be way behind. She has caught on quickly and wants practice to last longer than one hour. Since she is in the 7th grade, she wants to be involved with school sports. I will be shocked if she wanted to continue to do gymnastics after this year. DD7 is another story. She has had a mediocre year as a level 4. I did not enter her in the last two meets of the season, but since then she has got some of the skills she didn't have (bars!). Since she is so young, it will not hurt her to repeat level 4. Like OP's daughter, there are days she acts like she could care less. I have asked her if she would like to do something else, and she begs to stay in gymnastics. It is too expensive to be just hohum about it. She will compete Prep-optional silver this spring. Hoping for some big improvements and some self-motivation. Good Luck!

 

[sara74]

DD7 is another story. She has had a mediocre year as a level 4. I did not enter her in the last two meets of the season, but since then she has got some of the skills she didn't have (bars!). Since she is so young, it will not hurt her to repeat level 4.

In our gym many girls do 2 years at level 4. DD is 7 and this is her first year competing at all. She is competing as a 3, but practicing with the 4s and this will 'count' as her first year as a 4 with the anticipation that she will be a 4 next year.


Seems many girls in our gym switch to PrepOp when they reach level 6 because the time commitment is just too much!!

This is all SO new to me - never took gymnastics myself so I am learning while she is!

 

[Anonymous Gymnast]

I know it's really late, but you should've put her in interclub.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I know it's really late, but you should've put her in interclub.

This thread is EIGHT YEARS old! I think the OP has resolved her dilemma by now.

 

[2Pirates2Princesses]

Wow...I wonder why this one was resurrected???

 

[DisneyOma]

This thread is EIGHT YEARS old! I think the OP has resolved her dilemma by now.

Yes, the daughter would be around 19 years old - wonder how her gymnastics career turned out?

 

[gatormom2tots]

I was already to chime in about our experience at Level 4...til I saw the date!