Level 3 or Level 4 debate update

[Shawn]

Well, I think the debate is over. DD is absolutely adamant that she does NOT want to skip level 3 nor change gyms. She doesn't want to miss out on doing the shoot-through on bars and the side handstand dismount on beam (without the twist added in L4; that kind of scares her). She also does not want to keep doing the extra tumbling class, either.

Seeing as how she's only 6, she can't really articulate exactly why she doesn't want to skip up but I think it's just a case of too much, too soon. I think she's intimidated by the idea. So, rather than have her burn out and quit before she's 7, we're going to hang back and let her go at her pace. She's very talented and I'd hate for her to lose her enthusiasm for the sport already.

[flippymonkeysmom]

You're a good mom !!! So many parents push their kids thinking they are doing what they think is best instead of just listening to what the kids actually want. She is still very young and you are doing the right thing

[bogwoppit]

Good choice, listening to her will be the best thing you can do for your relationship. She is so very young, that she has plenty of time to get through all the levels if she so desires.

This will also mean that she will have her skills very strongly for the next season, and therefore will have a positive season.

That is what great parenting is, letting them decide between the choices that are made available to them by you.

[mariposamama]

I agree that you are an awesome mom for listening and respecting your daughter's opinion. I think that it will only help her. To build on the skills and actually compete them. I really wish we had similar programs for the lower levels here.

[Shawn]

Thanks for the support everyone. I've really been struggling with this because I want so much for her. But it has to be her that wants it, not me. And, if she truly wants to go all the way with her gymnastics, she can skip quickly through some of the higher levels when she's older.

[Megley]

Shawn, I think you are absolutely right to listen to her and abide by her decision. She has to be the one who wants to move up and as hard as it is (because I know how you feel about wanting so much for her) you made the right decision. I am sure she will thrive at Level 3 and the extra competition experience and time spent learning the Level 4 skills will set her up for an extremely successful Level 4 season. I look forward to hearing more about her progress.

Meg

[Gymnasticsgirl521]

Sounds to me like your DD knows what she wants and I commend you for listening to her. Best wishes for her on the decision.

[Shawn]

I actually had the opportunity to speak with her current head coach last night. I told her that we had considered skipping her up to level 4. She said "yeah, I thought about that too." But, she went on to say that with her skills being inconsistent, she probably would not be scoring 9s and 36-37 AA if she moves ahead. If she stays at level 3, she'll most likely stay at the top of the heap. Further, she does have a "plan" for DD. She will have her do L3 this year, L4 next and then the following fall do L5. Apparently they can do L4/L5 in one calendar year and then do L6/ L7 the next year, which will help her advance quickly once she's a bit older. All this made me feel better because now I know that the coach is paying attention to my daughter and considering the best path for her. Between DD's wishes and this conversation with the coach, I'm perfectly happy staying where we are.

[Shawn]

Ah.... how things can change... and so quickly, too! After all the debate and back and forth over level 3 or level 4, DD is skipping up to level 4 after all. It turns out that the only reason she wanted to do level 3 was because she didn't want to leave her teammates. Once she figured out that her team would not stay the same next season and that some of her friends wouldn't be moving up anyway, she said she wants to do level 4 after all.

So, I spoke with her coach and explained the situation to her. And she said that she wasn't considering DD for level 4 anymore and she'd have to do the year of level 3. I discussed this with DD and she opted to try a different gym in order to advance.

So, we've taken her to try practices at two different gyms. The first one, a gym I found, she didn't like at all. She said the coach was "bossy". (I told her coaches are sometimes like that. LOL) And honestly, I didn't really like it either. There wasn't really anywhere for parents to sit and watch the practices and it was over an hour's drive away so just dropping her off wasn't an option. And she didn't like the long drive, either.

The second gym, one of her choosing, was absolutely wonderful. Very nice gym and facilities, gymnast-friendly and parent-friendly. DD liked the other girls, liked the coaches and begged to get to go to their "spring break camp" next month. The first thing she said when we were leaving was "I want to go here." I spoke with the team director after practice and she had good things to say. She thinks DD will be ready to train level 4 (she can't start until May so she can finish out the season at her current gym). She wants her to come to one more practice just to be sure of this placement as some kids tend to put their best foot forward for an evaluation practice and then the coaches find out they don't really try that hard all the time, but she expects that this will be perfect. She said DD is a fast learner and has really good form, which is one of the key things they look for.

I also liked their philosophy for advancement. They move the girls up when the girls are ready, regardless of competition season. They are also flexible on practices (DD has church on Wednesdays and would really hate to have to quit that). The L4 team practices on Wednesdays but the director said if DD is ready by the fall, she might be able to trade her Wednesday practice for one practice with the L5 team each week.

All in all, this gym was a very nice facility with good, kid-friendly coaches, and successful teams. I'm excited for DD. I think this is going to be a perfect fit. And the best thing, trying out these other gyms and seeing girls at higher levels has given DD a renewed enthusiasm. She's been practicing at home a lot more and having fun doing it. And now she's got a lot to look forward to.

[bogwoppit]

Well it sounds as though it has all come together at the right time for your DD. Being in a club where the programme is more individualised is a good thing.