~*~ Stick It! A thread for Gymnastics Parents ~*~

[SkylarsMom]

The plan is to take her to check out a couple more gyms and get her evaluated. She has two meets in a row coming up and then a 4-week break between competitions. That seems like the ideal time to do the evaluations and maybe let her participate in a couple of practices. Then we'll make the final decision.

 

[lemondog]

Hi gymnastics moms. I am new to your group! DD has been in gymnastics since she was 3...she is now 6 1/2. At any rate, the director has mentioned in passing once or twice that she is getting really good, but today they actually sat me down and formally invited her to be on training team. That is the level before pre-team, and after that comes the actual competition team.
She will only be training 2.5 hours a week right now, which we can handle. We have twins who will be 4 next week, they also do gymnastics and soccer as well.

Please tell me what i am in for...the good, the bad and the ugly. We explained to DD that if we make the commitment for the training team she has to REALLY work...both at gymnastics and at her schoolwork. If her grades start going, so will training team. I also explained (as did the director) that training team is not like the rec class she has been in. She will be learning actaul skills. All DD cared about was if she was going to get to use chalk on the bars or not!

She is BEGGING to do it. I was very clear that I am not making that kind of financial commitment for "fun", and that she really had to work hard at gymnastics, not to mention still put school first, if this is something she really wants.

 

[carone0318]

Good luck lemondog at your decision. Your dd is young and who knows what lies ahead of her. I think that 2.5 hrs a week is a good start for her. Gymnastics ends up being a huge commitment, both financially and time wise. It also affects not only the gymnast but the entire family. Right now 2.5 hrs is really nothing, but if she sticks with it, the time commitment is like a part time job. My dd is in the gym 20 hrs a week. She only eats dinner with us once during the week and on weekends. She goes straight to the gym after school and doesn't come home until after 8pm. That is when she sits down and eats dinner and then starts on homework.

She is an honor roll student and I never have to tell her to do her homework, she hops right to it.

Gymnastics has taught my dd time management and has given her incredible self-esteem. She is also in great physical shape, neither one of us would change anything (well, maybe I would like the sport better if it wasn't so expensive ).

My dd started when she was 4 and was on pre-team when she was 6. I can truly tell you that what she was like at 6 is nothing like she is at 11.5 yrs old. At 6 she was a loosey goosey and even the HC would tell you or anyone that they didn't even want to put her on team. Over the years she has stuck with it and had bloosomed and this yr at L7, she is a State Champion. Every coach at her gym will tell you that a couple of yrs ago they would not have expected it. She works hard, but does have fun.

I guess what I am saying is if you believe in her and believe that she has a talent, regardless of how she is doing, let her stick with it and see where it takes her. Competitive gymnastics is not for everyone and you will see more kids leave the program than join. It's tough, but very rewarding....

Good luck!

Hi gymnastics moms. I am new to your group! DD has been in gymnastics since she was 3...she is now 6 1/2. At any rate, the director has mentioned in passing once or twice that she is getting really good, but today they actually sat me down and formally invited her to be on training team. That is the level before pre-team, and after that comes the actual competition team.
She will only be training 2.5 hours a week right now, which we can handle. We have twins who will be 4 next week, they also do gymnastics and soccer as well.

Please tell me what i am in for...the good, the bad and the ugly. We explained to DD that if we make the commitment for the training team she has to REALLY work...both at gymnastics and at her schoolwork. If her grades start going, so will training team. I also explained (as did the director) that training team is not like the rec class she has been in. She will be learning actaul skills. All DD cared about was if she was going to get to use chalk on the bars or not!

She is BEGGING to do it. I was very clear that I am not making that kind of financial commitment for "fun", and that she really had to work hard at gymnastics, not to mention still put school first, if this is something she really wants.

 

[missypie]

Hi gymnastics moms. I am new to your group! DD has been in gymnastics since she was 3...she is now 6 1/2. At any rate, the director has mentioned in passing once or twice that she is getting really good, but today they actually sat me down and formally invited her to be on training team. That is the level before pre-team, and after that comes the actual competition team.
She will only be training 2.5 hours a week right now, which we can handle. We have twins who will be 4 next week, they also do gymnastics and soccer as well.

Please tell me what i am in for...the good, the bad and the ugly. We explained to DD that if we make the commitment for the training team she has to REALLY work...both at gymnastics and at her schoolwork. If her grades start going, so will training team. I also explained (as did the director) that training team is not like the rec class she has been in. She will be learning actaul skills. All DD cared about was if she was going to get to use chalk on the bars or not!

She is BEGGING to do it. I was very clear that I am not making that kind of financial commitment for "fun", and that she really had to work hard at gymnastics, not to mention still put school first, if this is something she really wants.

Do as many hours as your can at this age. At 6 1/2 they are fearless. They start becoming afraid in about 5th grade and you want her to be as far along as you can by then. Also, homework seems to pick up a lot in 6th grade, and lots of kids drop out then. Even assuming that, she has a good 5-6 years in her where it can be fun a build great self confidence.

 

[paigeandmorgansmom]

My daughter competed last weekend. She did our KY judges cup. She was in the 12 and under silver level prep-optional group. She got 3rd on floor, which was good considering the sound system quite working and her and another girl's floor music wouldn't play. So she had to do her floor without any music. She said is was so hard, to count in her head and try to stay on time. She got a 9.05 with going out of bounds. On bars she got 1st and vault she got 4th. Beam, well that was another story. Her old beam coach, that just quite our team 4 weeks ago was the judge. Needless to say my daughter was devested...this judge left our team with only a days notice. My daughter looked up to her, and was upset when she left. She ended up getting a 7.5 on beam with 3 falls. She did 2bw instead of her BH, she made those, but fell on her full turn, her split leap and her jump. I felt so bad for her. she did end up getting 4th in the all around. We have another meet next weekend in Gatlinburg, TN. Then we have KY Derby Classic the 7th and our state March 30th. Good luck to everyone this weekend.

 

[dis4me]

My daughter competed last weekend. She did our KY judges cup. She was in the 12 and under silver level prep-optional group. She got 3rd on floor, which was good considering the sound system quite working and her and another girl's floor music wouldn't play. So she had to do her floor without any music. She said is was so hard, to count in her head and try to stay on time. She got a 9.05 with going out of bounds. On bars she got 1st and vault she got 4th. Beam, well that was another story. Her old beam coach, that just quite our team 4 weeks ago was the judge. Needless to say my daughter was devested...this judge left our team with only a days notice. My daughter looked up to her, and was upset when she left. She ended up getting a 7.5 on beam with 3 falls. She did 2bw instead of her BH, she made those, but fell on her full turn, her split leap and her jump. I felt so bad for her. she did end up getting 4th in the all around. We have another meet next weekend in Gatlinburg, TN. Then we have KY Derby Classic the 7th and our state March 30th. Good luck to everyone this weekend.

Wow Great meet 1st on bars

That is very hard on the girls when their former coach is there. I can't imagine how hard it was to have her as the judge. Was she at least friendly to your dd? 4th AA was still great and a 7.5 with 3 falls is really good.Good luck next weekend.

 

[dis4me]

Anyone competing this weekend?

 

[mom2rb]

My son has a meet in Bryan, it's the same gym that's hosting State so it's good to let the boys go there first.

 

[sharlon]

Last "out of season" meet for DD this Sunday. If she gets a 34 AA she will only need to get the skills to move up to Level 5 next fall season, which she is already working on. She is leaning towards staying a Level 4 though, which is fine with me and her coach. It would give her more experience and boost her self esteem.

 

[paigeandmorgansmom]

my daughter did 2 years of level 4. She was ready to go on, but was still having alot, and i mean alot of trouble with the kip. She ended up her 2nd year level 4 with her lowest all around being 36.5, most of the time she had a 37 or above. It gave her a big confidence booster. This year we did half season 5 and now doing prep-optional, with plans on going on to 7 next meet season. Let her decide which she wants to do. I am sure she will do great either level.

We compete tomorrow afternoon in Gatlinburg Tn. Good luck to everyone.

 

[bcvprincesses]

My girls have their home sectional this weekend. Everyone is working hard to spruce up the gym and get ready for about 400 girls this weekend. It is such a fun weekend for everyone. My girls are excited because they get to work at the meet running scores.

 

[sharlon]

my daughter did 2 years of level 4. She was ready to go on, but was still having alot, and i mean alot of trouble with the kip. She ended up her 2nd year level 4 with her lowest all around being 36.5, most of the time she had a 37 or above. It gave her a big confidence booster. This year we did half season 5 and now doing prep-optional, with plans on going on to 7 next meet season. Let her decide which she wants to do. I am sure she will do great either level.

We compete tomorrow afternoon in Gatlinburg Tn. Good luck to everyone.

Thanks for sharing. I'm going to show this to my DD right now.

Good luck in Gatlinburg! You will be a short way from us here in Asheville.

 

[missypie]

Ah, memories of Level 4 and the kip. At the meets we'd all just pray for all of our girls to make their kip. When they made it (with those tiny, skinny arms!) it was ugly, but it was there.

After watching the Olympics all my life, I had no idea how much strength bars took until I watched our Level 4s trying to make their kip!

 

[mom2rb]

I stll remember the day I got my kip. It is up there on best days ever. Now as a parent I am watching my son try to learn his. The good news is that for boys it isn't that big of a deal. He is only losing .3 for being spotted. For girls it is a full point. At the meets it seems that only about 25% of the boys have their kip.

 

[mom2rb]

My son had his best meet this year.
Floor- 9.25, 5th place, first time he hasn't fallen on his front handspring.
Pommel- 8.8, 6th place, with a fall
Rings- 9.5, 2nd place,
Vault- 8.5, first time all season he didn't land on his butt.
P-bars- 8.4 10th place
High bar- 8.3, 7th place, still didn't make his kip
All Around 6th place out of 24 kids.

 

[dis4me]

My son had his best meet this year.
Floor- 9.25, 5th place, first time he hasn't fallen on his front handspring.
Pommel- 8.8, 6th place, with a fall
Rings- 9.5, 2nd place,
Vault- 8.5, first time all season he didn't land on his butt.
P-bars- 8.4 10th place
High bar- 8.3, 7th place, still didn't make his kip
All Around 6th place out of 24 kids.

WOW Great Job on your son's meet. That kip is the killler. He'll get it soon I am sure.

 

[poohluvrs]

DD4 has been in gymnastics for 1 session (6 or 7 wks) & she is being recommended for the pre-team class which I understand is a huge commitment but I really know nothing about.

Can anyone tell me the pros/cons associated w/this. Glad I found this thread!

 

[bcvprincesses]

My girls had their home meet this weekend and had their best meets ever at level 6. They were both in the same age group and I think there were about 26 girls in it. My 10 year old was wheezing for the last few days so I didn't even know if she would be able to compete. She used her breathing treatment twice during the meet and ended up with a 36.25 for 5th place AA. My 8 year old had a 36.075 with a fall on beam and placed 6th. Almost all the best teams from MI were there so that was great.

Next weekend we are going to Kalahari in Sandusky, Ohio. It should be fun. My girls compete at 8 am on Sat.

 

[bcvprincesses]

My son had his best meet this year.
Floor- 9.25, 5th place, first time he hasn't fallen on his front handspring.
Pommel- 8.8, 6th place, with a fall
Rings- 9.5, 2nd place,
Vault- 8.5, first time all season he didn't land on his butt.
P-bars- 8.4 10th place
High bar- 8.3, 7th place, still didn't make his kip
All Around 6th place out of 24 kids.

Wow, great meet. That kip is a killer. It used to drive my girls crazy because one day they could do it and the next day they couldn't. It took months for my girls to have it every time.

 

[dis4me]

My girls had their home meet this weekend and had their best meets ever at level 6. They were both in the same age group and I think there were about 26 girls in it. My 10 year old was wheezing for the last few days so I didn't even know if she would be able to compete. She used her breathing treatment twice during the meet and ended up with a 36.25 for 5th place AA. My 8 year old had a 36.075 with a fall on beam and placed 6th. Almost all the best teams from MI were there so that was great.

Next weekend we are going to Kalahari in Sandusky, Ohio. It should be fun. My girls compete at 8 am on Sat.

Wow great meet.It must be hard for your daughters when they compete against each other.Are they usually in the same age group?