OT Gymnastics what would you do?

[npmommie]

I was a little annoyed at the gym tonight, ( we missed the past two weeks because last wednesday was halloween and we coudn't do tuesday....thats when they wanted the class to do makeup........, and the week prior to that dd got a bee sting which caused her foot to swell up so much it was painful to walk).........well i failed to call to let them know we would be missing, and I got berated for it right in the lobby after the class. One of the instructors came over to me to ask where we have been, so I proceed to tell her about the swollen foot issue, and anyway, she threatened 3 times in the conversation to give away dd's spot. she kept saying it. It bothered, me ........I said to her "well i would hope you wouldn't do that without at least calling us", I mean I pay by the month, and yes we missed and yes i screwed up by not calling...... but to keep saying she will give away her spot really irked me. the first time she said it .....it was " well we were going to give her spot away you are lucky we didn't"
now this conversation took place in the lobby with lots of people around me,, so I am debating whether to call the owner tomorrow and say something , hubby thinks I should just let it go.
I was going to check out another new gym in the area, that people are raving about, i contacted them awhile ago and they said to come in any time. I originally checked it out for better times for both kids at the same time.
the problem i have is dd really likes the class she is in, but I think she will at least try another class, and she may end up liking it more. thats what i hope.

I would have had no problem if the instructor had said to me, just remember to call and let us know when you won't be here. but it was a threatening conversation. and plus she saw me when we came in because i handed her our check for November, and no one was around, she could have said her piece then.
would you say something?
we are going away this month, now I am thinking they are going to kick her out of the class if we miss again. My dd is 7 yo btw.

 

[emma'smom]

Is she on a competative team? If not, why would they even care if she was there or not if you have paid for the days she wasn't there anyway? Our dd misses gymnastics occasionally for various reasons, but I figure that, until she's on a team, all she is really doing is freeing up teacher's attention for other students.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

My DD is missing tomorrow for a birthday party. I've never heard of this. If you have paid, you should have a spot. We don't miss our extra stuff very often, but when we do, I don't think I have ever called. I guess maybe I should.

 

[npmommie]

My dd is not competition level. But she is in a Level 1 class. But they do not compete, they don't go to competitions. It is just the starting point I guess to see if they will move up the levels. IF they do master certain skills they will move up to level 2 and so on until they get to competition level.
So it is a bit different than a recreational class, it's a little more focused on learning the skills and its a bit longer 1 1/2 hours instead of just 1 hour.

I do understand I should have called, I guess my biggest issue with this whole thing is how she chose to speak to me in front of other people, and also my dd was right within earshot too. and it wasn't nasty threatening, it was that backhanded, sweet, threatening nasty tone, ya know? LOL

 

[barkley]

if someone spoke to me in that manner, and CHOSE to do it in around other people (she could have done it privatly when you gave her the check-she obviously had no intention of dropping your dd since she accepted the check without comment)-i would have to wonder what manner she spoke to my child and other children, and weather my child had ever witnessed her engaging in similar manner of talking to someone. children look up to the teachers and coaches we entrust them to, and often emulate their behaviours. this is not a behaviour that i would want my child to believe is acceptable, nor would i want them to emulate it.

i'de call the owner just to give her a heads up-you'll at least get an idea if that's what the gym deems appropriate behaviour so you can make an informed decision.

 

[MSSANDRA]

I would at least call the owner and let them know. However do know the owner is going to speak to the teacher so be ready for the cold shoulder. I can not understand why the teacher was so upset. You pay regardless of attendance, it does not effect his or her pay and gives her a lower ratio to work with for that class. I would be a little concerned about how someone that acts like this person relates to the children.

 

[Schmeck]

In a sport like gymnastics, there is always another child willing to take the place of a kid who doesn't show up - parents could have been asking why their kid can't be in a certain group, and were told it was full. When your child misses two weeks in a row, parents could be questioning why that group doesn't seem full. They may even think you have quit.

Also, the main focus of any competitive gym is to move kids up enough to keep their parents happy, and yet have very competitive gymnasts at each level. They make a living off of the reputation of having a competitive program.