Getting to know each other thread...

[myjalark]

1. How many kids do you have? How old? What grade?
I have a 13 year old in the 8th grade and a 9 year old in the 4th grade

2. How many years has your child(ren) been in gymnastics?
My 9 year old has been in gymnastics for 5 years. The 13 year old is in competitive swimming.

3. What level is your gymnast(s)?
My DD is a level 8 this year

4. Do you work? How do you juggle your job/gymnastics if so?
I work full time as a treatment specialist at a girls group home. I work nights which frees up my days for traveling all over the place with my girls.

5. What do you love about gymnastics/dislike about gymnastics?
I love what gymnastics does for my DD's work ethic and self esteem. She is so focused and well adjusted. I really dislike negative overly competitive parents that push their kids too much.

6. Tell us about YOU!
My family just moved from Washington State to Houston, Texas. I home school my girls and maintain not only a full time job but also a small personal scrapbooking company. My husband is a project manager.

[kristilyn73]

1. How many kids do you have? How old? What grade?

• I am blessed with 3 wonderful Children - Our eldest, the gymnast is 12 and in 6th Grade. We have a middle daughter, 10 she is a competitive dancer. And then our little guy - 3 years old a boy is quite a change from girls!

2. How many years has your child(ren) been in gymnastics?

• DD started Gymnastics at about 4 1/2 so that would be almost 8 years.

3. What level is your gymnast(s)?

• She is competing her second year of Level 7. She got her pass up score last year. This summer she was training her Level 8 Skills. She had them all on Floor, looking good on Vault, had her Beam skills. She was struggling with her Tsuk on Vault. She was doing them with a spot but wasnt real consistent and was feeling too much pressure. That is when we as parents stepped in and said " you dont have to go to 8" take another year at 7. Have fun... She has never spent more than 1 year at a level.. so this is it...

4. Do you work? How do you juggle your job/gymnastics if so?

• I am the office manager/property manager for a residential property management company. I have recently changed jobs. It is part of how I juggle. This new job gives me the flexibilty I need to help drive to practices. I also am lucky to have friends/parents of teammates that i car pool with. They drive there, I pick up.

5. What do you love about gymnastics/dislike about gymnastics?

• One thing that I love is that I feel like all the girls on the team are MY Girls. I cry and laught with all of them. When they get their skill, or fall or pass up. I have the same emotions as their moms.
• I also like that my DD's closest friends are fellow gymnasts. they have the same goals and priorities. They know if they get caught smoking/drinking or whatever it is not only us as parents they will get in trouble with it is her coach. I told my DD. IF someone offers you something, make it easy on yourself. Tell them NO, My coach will kill me!
• Finally, I like that it teaches good time management and confidence. My DD goes to public school 3 days a week she trains 2 days a week (And 2 evenings) She gets straight A's (I think 1 B Second quarter). She is also well spoken and confident.
• I dont like that she gets so frustrated with her self. And I hate it when she cries after meets. She wants to do so well and gets upset when she doesnt think she does. We are always proud, but she wants to do better.

6. Tell us about YOU!

• Did I just tell you about myself? I have 3 kids and work full time! LOL!

[flippymonkeysmom]

1. How many kids do you have? How old? What grade?
3 - oldest is 10 in 5th grade, middle is 9 in 4th grade, youngest is 5 in kindy

2. How many years has your child(ren) been in gymnastics?
My oldest has been doing gymnastics since she was about 6, my 9 year old used to do gymnastics but now does cheerleading (but wants to quit and just do dance now), my 5 year old son plays ice hockey.

3. What level is your gymnast(s)?
my dd competed level 6 (states were in December) and is now training level 7 for next year.

4. Do you work? How do you juggle your job/gymnastics if so?
I work part time tutoring kids, go to school myself part time. I'm switching careers to teach so it works better with all my kids schedules.

5. What do you love about gymnastics/dislike about gymnastics?
I love the confidence it has given my daughter. Before she did gym, she was so quiet and shy she literally did not speak. Now she is much more outgoing and confident. I dislike the time commitment and the pressure these little girls put on themselves to be perfect.

6. Tell us about YOU!
I'm just trying to make it all work - raising 3 kids in 3 different sports, working, finishing my degree, etc.

[xstitchcarina]

1. How many kids do you have? How old? What grade?
3 kids:

DD : 10 Years old Group 6
DS1: 6½ Years Group 2
DS2: 3 Years, playgroup twice a week mornings

2. How many years has your child(ren) been in gymnastics?

DD first did 2 years of rec gym. Which would mean 1 competion a year with just a few clubs in the area and just 1 hour training a week. Since 1½ year, she trains in the selection team, as we call it, and has 2 regional competitions a year, more if she would end high, and 1 clubcompetition a year. She now trains 5 hours a week.

3. What level is your gymnast(s)?

I would think L4 American system, not sure. We work totally different. Look at her website, to decide what level. www. freewebs.com/talithasgymnastics

4. Do you work? How do you juggle your job/gymnastics if so?

Nope don't work outside the home.

5. What do you love about gymnastics/dislike about gymnastics?

I have always loved watching it on TV. Did it 1 hour a week myself till I was like 15. I think it is a beautiful sport to watch and I am always amazed at what these top gymnasts can do. And with my dd I love to watch her loving to do it.

6. Tell us about YOU!

I am 37 year old mom from Holland married to a Scot. I love to read, be on the internet and my biggest hobby is cross stitching. Also love to go to our International Church about 20 mintues away from our house.

[Blackie6]

1. How many kids do you have? How old? What grade?
I have three kids:
DS (soon to be 12, in 6th grade)
DS (9, 4th grade)
DD -my gymnast (soon to be 7, in 1st grade)
2. How many years has your child(ren) been in gymnastics?
My DD started at about 3 1/2yrs old in rec classes, pre-team age 5-6, L4 team almost 1 year so 3 1/2 years total (WOW I can't believe it, seems like yesterday!)
3. What level is your gymnast(s)?
Level 4-just finished our first season. Will do L4 again next year and then right into L5 season. Loves learning L5 stuff now, did her cartwheel on the beam last night and sometimes has her kip and sometimes not on bars.
4. Do you work? How do you juggle your job/gymnastics if so?
I work Part Time in a medical center. My hours are great, drop the kids off on the way and get home about when they are. I spend the rest of the afternoon and evening helping the kids with homework, driving them to their activities or gym and the whole bedtime routine. I'm lucky my gym is less then a mile away, it helps the "juggle" with everyone's hectic schedule.

5. What do you love about gymnastics/dislike about gymnastics?
I love almost everything about gymnastics. Over the past 6 months I have laughed and cried so much seeing my DD do amazing things we never imagined she could. She started gymnastics as physical therapy. She had mild neuro damage from birth, was developmentally delayed, and had increased muscle tone on one side of her body. Gymnastics forced her in a fun way to learn how to use her muscles correctly & channel some of her unbounded energy (LOL) in a safe & supervised environment! She has wonderful friends & coaches. And I learned my DD has this inner strength in stressful situations & can be so focused even at such a young age, yet never forgets to smile or laugh.

What I hate about gymnastics? Hmmm, probably seeing how some mothers at the gym push their children at such young ages and don't even realize it. I actually witnessed one girl (7)during practice keep looking back at her mom after everything she did to get that nod of approval or disapproval. Her DD is so talented but never looks like she is enjoying herself. It made me so sad & upset I had to leave the gym.

6. Tell us about YOU!
Married to DH (a fireman) for over 13 years now. I live in NJ and love going to Disney World and NASCAR races. I never did gymnastics, but got forced into ballet school when I was a child for 4 yrs before my mother let me quit. Then it was horses! I competed in college for the Equestrian team. I love reality TV but never get to watch anything because of our busy schedule. I tried recording American Idol but have yet to watch an entire episode this season. ARRGGHH! I am also a den leader for my DS who is a Cub Scout & co-leader for DD's Girl Scouts. I'm afraid though she is starting to fizzle out of that since she is at the gym so much. We'll see for next year. Both my boys play baseball in the Spring so I enjoy watching their games too. I guess I just love being a mom.

[Gymnasticsgirl521]

How many kids do you have? How old? What grade? I have two children. DS 6.5year old hockey player in First grade. DD 4.5 year old in Pre-K.
2. How many years has your child(ren) been in gymnastics? DD is in her 3rd year of gymnastics.
3. What level is your gymnast(s)? Pre-Team
4. Do you work? How do you juggle your job/gymnastics if so? I am a SAHM looking for full time employment. I just graduated with My MBA in HR Management.
5. What do you love about gymnastics/dislike about gymnastics? I everything about it except for the price. Of course my children both had to choose some of the most expensive sports out there. I swear we will be in the poor house before they get to college.
6. Tell us about YOU!
Not much to tell. I am a SAHM but more of a on the run mom. DH swears I am never home. I am on the PTA board, Hockey Board, active at the gym. I love to travel and spend time with DH when he is not traveling. I took gymnastics req in my youth and dance. I never competed but had a ton of fun at it. I also coached gymnastics for a short time after DH and I got married. I was the Gym director at our local YMCA for two year before moving.

[gymjourneymom]

1. How many kids do you have? Two girls. How old? 12& 14yrs. What grade? 7th &8th.
2. How many years has your child(ren) been in gymnastics? 12yo has been doing gymnastics since preschool. Started in ballet/gym class. Then decided she liked the gymnastics part better. We switched her to a large competetive gym for preteam. She did well there & enjoyed it, but due DH's job, we moved away. With the stress of moving she wanted to take a break from preteam & just did rec. 1x/week for a year. When she was ready(she asked to go back to preteam) we switched her to a larger more competetive gym in this area. That is were she is on team now.
3. What level is your gymnast(s)?Level 6(2nd year). DD was State AA champ as level 5. She developed a fear of balkwalkovers on the beam last year. Her coaches & teammates were very supportive/helpful with her " mental block". And she has overcome it beautifully .
4. Do you work? Yes. Part-time nightshift RN. How do you juggle your job/gymnastics if so? The most difficult part is the fact that I work some weekends. The meet schedules are posted close to the meet date, that I totally stress out wondering if I will be able to go to watch her meets! If I'm scheduled to work I need to know when she 's competing, so I can beg a coworker to switch with me.
5. What do you love about gymnastics/dislike about gymnastics? It's a beautiful sport! I've always enjoyed watching it...so happy my daughter chose it for her sport of choice. I also like the friends her & I have both made in the sport & how it brings us together as a family(traveling to meets/practice). She really opens up to me in the car to & from the gym. I feel her & I are "closer" due to her gymnastic experiences. She has learned so much about herself & what she is capable of doing. Dislikes...."catty competitive parents"! Sometimes I just want to make a general annoucement in the gym...."Can I have your attention please...all of the gymnasts here work very hard. They have different needs at different times.... stop comparing apples to oranges. Every gymnast is unique! Be supportive or go home!"
6. Tell us about YOU! I'm a nurse, so I like to take care of people...I want to help everyone...especially when I see a gymnasts with a mental block. People tell me I've become our gyms "mental block" guru. If the ability & determination are there....it's all about the attitute, focus & mental visualization. I love this forum! There's so much to learn here!

[Gymnasticsgirl521]

oops I didn't realize I already responded.

[mom2kazkids]

1. How many kids do you have? How old? What grade? 2--DS 7, will turn 8 in April in 2nd grade and DD 7, just turned in Feb in 1st grade. Both were adopted in Sept 2001 from Almaty, Kazakhstan. DS was 18 months and DD 8 months.

2. How many years has your child(ren) been in gymnastics? DD started when she was 3 1/2 with preschool class. Moved to an "elite" class which basically was the bottom of the team pathway at our old gym when she started Kindergarten.

3. What level is your gymnast(s)? Moved in Sept to current gym and competed 3 level 3 meets, now is starting to train level 4.

4. Do you work? How do you juggle your job/gymnastics if so? I am an RN. I work 64 hours in a two week period. Just tweaked my schedule to work 12 hours shifts the week that DH is on days, and work 8 hour day shifts when DH is working pms. So I tend to work 2 12 hour shifts, 2 12 hour weekend shifts and 2 8 hr day shifts. I have found that I am working more than our normal every 3rd weekend to only have to work 2 days m-f.

5. What do you love about gymnastics/dislike about gymnastics? I just have always loved watching the sport. I find that when DD is practicing and DH is home with DS that I can sit thru her 3 hour practice just watching the girls in the gym, esp the optional girls. I love the current gym that we are at and how well all the girls get along with each other. I wish that DD would be a little braver and have more confidence in herself, especially on beam.

6. Tell us about YOU! I enjoy family trips to Disney, watching NASCAR, and my days off of work.

[mariposamama]

bumping up for any of the new parents out there. tell us about you! (and if you have been here awhile, but haven't posted here, what are you waiting for?