Stay at gym or leave? - Page 2

gymbabisMom · 12-24-2006, 11:22 PM

As a parent.I have nearly always stayed. From the time she started untill now. As a coach, I am always glad to see parents stay and watch as long as they don't try to coach from the sidelines. Gymbabi would probably prefer that I didn't stay but she liked it when she was younger. I think it's good to keep an eye on what's going on at the gym.

rebeccapaige! · 01-02-2007, 10:32 PM

For now I stay, she is on pre-hotshots so preteam for the 4 year olds at our gym:-) I enjoy watching, also we live 30 minutes away so until her practices get really long I will probably stay maybe even then, who knows:-)
Becky

rainmonkey03 · 01-03-2007, 01:32 PM

As a child I just did gymnastics at my school as an after school program. Parents weren't there unless they had finished work and were there to pick their child up. After I left that school I started piano (so I'm going off topic here). My piano teacher had her studio built with a private room where we work on theory lessons (how to write and read music, names of notes, signs etc). We were to stay there until it was time for our lesson so we didn't interrupt the other person(s) in a lesson. My teacher never encouraged parents to stay, or discouraged them. She always let the parents know what was going on. She let them know if we were not practicing etc. My teacher didn't like when parents sat in the same room as our lesson unless she had invited them. Too many times the parents were interrupting the teacher and adding their own 2 cents worth. It seemed to work for piano.
In gymnastics though I think it's important for parents to be able to stay and I think a room such as my piano teachers room is a good idea. Big glass windows allow the parents to see everything and know everything is running ok and to their standards. At first I would be nervous if my parents were watching me. I didn't like when they watched me do homework or practice (mainly cause they were critiquing the entire time). But if it was a room such as the photo JBS has posted, I wouldn't mind cause they would be far enough away that I wouldn't feel like I was being watched. I hope this makes sense.

beamqueen · 01-03-2007, 10:05 PM

MY gym ask's that parent's ( like mine ) would not watch daily and they would like about no more then 2 times a simply because either the gymnast is distracted or get's so excited that they hurt them self

azmom · 06-17-2007, 08:57 AM

My daughter only practice 8 hours a week so I try to be there.
My older daughter does cheer though so she frequently needs rides too. She doesnt really have a set schedule either. She basically goes everyday for a good 4 hours. Her cheer gym is 30 minutes away so I cant stay for my younger daughters gymnastics the whole time.
On the other hand, only 3 more years till the older one can drive :]

9bob8 · 06-17-2007, 11:43 PM

my gym does not let parents stay. my mum would stay all night if she could.

Carmansunshine · 06-18-2007, 08:21 AM

I have two dds in gymnastics, I live 45 min from the gym so I stay. I am the only parent in the viewing area and stay quiet except for a few good jobs when she comes out to get a drink. I'm not discouraged from staying, but I feel a little tension from the coach about it. (I think I'm not really sure because it's a new gym for us only been here 4 months.) But the coach is always looking at me to see if I'm watching, I think she may be a little distracted by me being there, but my dds are used to it and want me to stay. So I stay.

**JBS** · 08-09-2007, 10:47 PM

GymnasticsCoaching.com just added a great post about this. You can view it at the link below:

http://gymnasticscoaching.com/?p=2105

Be sure to read and add to the comments.

Granny Smith · 08-10-2007, 06:57 AM

I read the article. I think for each child what is needed is different.

For my child, she wants me there. She is 10 and just for conversation, she is a Level 7. She practices 4hrs per workout, 20 hrs a week. I normally drop her off after school at 4pm, I stay for about 45 minutes and then I leave. I have another child, we go home get dinner ready for when my husband comes home, eat. I then head back to the gym aroung 6:30. Her workout is over at 8pm. So I do get to see a lot of it. Each day their rotations change, so by being there for at least an hour at the end, usually in a week, I get to see her on every event.

My daughter thrives on me being there. As for me, I know where she stands. I can see where she needs to work and I have realistic expectations of her because I know where she is at. I have heard parents, who usually aren't there to watch their kids, say oh so & so should be up at the next level. What they don't even realize is that their daughter is the one who is struggling the most at the current level. If they were there more, they would see for themselves.

Just for the record, I love watching my daughter do gymnastics too. I was a gymnast (back in the day), but she has already surpassed where I was. I just love watching her do her stuff. If I not happy with something, I rarely say anything to the coaches with the except that I believe that it is a safety concern. We are at one of the best gyms in our state and I believe that our coaches know what they are doing and I let it all rest in their hands. What they have done so far has worked, who am I to complain.

I guess I should also throw out there that it cost a lot of money too, and I should be able to see what my money is getting me! This is the way it works in the "real" world, it should also work like this in the "gym" world.

Just keeping it real!

Monkeygirlsmom · 08-10-2007, 08:07 AM

I am there all the time!! but as of now they are only there 2 time a week!! we just looked at a gym and they have parents wait outside but I did notice the doors were open so it was easy to see!! plus I ended up staying in the room while I was there so were the other parents!! I think they encourage parents to wait outside but when I mentioned my kids need me there! (kind of what they are used to from where we are at!! plus they get a boost when they see me smile at them!! the coach did say that it was ok!!

I love to watch them and they get proud to have me watch!!

I believe if I can i want to cause They are away from me enough and they grow up way to fast!! I want to not miss them growing up! andI believe we are a close family and this is 1 way we support each other!!

I do believe other than a good job or keep tryin!! i keep my mouth shut and let the coaches coach!!