I was following the season for most of it. I have always felt bad for the boy who ice skates. In an early episode, his mom (and him) both mentioned how if he didn't do as well as he could, she just couldn't even speak to him for several days afterward. VERY sad.
And the dancer/cheerleader, the little girl. She was pretty young and her mom would run, grab her out of a rehearsal only to rush her, changing in her car, to a recital somewhere else. Really got pretty mean when the little girl wasn't shaking herself enough in her dance routine. The little girl's one teacher would say that the little girl was being spread too thin, that she might be one of the better ones at everything but wouldn't be THE BEST like her mom wanted, since she was pulled too many directions.
Reminds me of a girl I know around here, who at 5 was doing private, group, and team lessons for a particular activity to the tune of about 7 hours per week. More when a competition was coming. And this didn't include the gymnastics and dance classes she attended 3 days a week to become more flexible/add tricks to her routines. Kept thinking, of course she will get to competition and do really REALLY well. Most parents wouldn't dream of putting their 5 yr old little kids through that much pressure. The poor girl missed everything. And didn't speak too happily about it, either.
I try to tell myself that we all try to do what is best for our children. I just feel bad when someone is apparently REALLY missing the important stuff.
JUST MY OPINIONS!!