So you all know me...and how I feel....

[Tuduri]

I've learned so much on this forum, both from reading the posts and from emails sent by some very friendly and knowledgeable people. It's a great resource for parents, gymnasts and coaches.

Flippymonkeysmom: I have a friend whose daughter went to level 10 and made nationals. The daughter was 5'9'' in height. She turned out to be pretty good. Personally, I admire the girls who are taller and bigger because their accomplishments in gymnastics are in spite of not having the so-called perfect physique for the sport. They have to overcome some big hurdles that smaller girls do not have to face. This developes great character. That will pay off in the long term. Admire her grit.

It doesn't bother me that my daughter spends so much time in the gym and away from home because I am one of those dads that brings the home to the gym. I am lucky to be able to spend a lot of time at the gym and even at my son's baseball practice and training sessions. If you can, parents should try to spend some time watching their dd practice. It is a humbling experience for us mere mortals.

[flippymonkeysmom]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tuduri Flippymonkeysmom: I have a friend whose daughter went to level 10 and made nationals. The daughter was 5'9'' in height. She turned out to be pretty good. Personally, I admire the girls who are taller and bigger because their accomplishments in gymnastics are in spite of not having the so-called perfect physique for the sport. They have to overcome some big hurdles that smaller girls do not have to face. This developes great character. That will pay off in the long term. Admire her grit.

Thanks for the encouragement. I do admire my dd a lot. She definitely has to work a lot harder on certain things, but never complains about it. I actually had a conversation with one of her coaches about that just last night. He said she is doing really well and making progress and that he never has any complaints about her because she always works really hard. For instance, they were stretching all the girls last night (aka torturing them) and most of the girls were whining and crying. My dd has flexibility issues so it hurts when she gets stretched like that. She never complained - when they were done she smiled and thanked them. In her words - they do it because they want to help her be a better gymnast. Her coaches have said they wish some of the 'naturals' had her positive attitude and determination. Hopefully she is able to stay that way.

[gymnomore]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Livinatthegym I lurked for 6 months before registering and posting. I'm wrapping up my 5th, and possibly my final, season as the parent of a competative gymnast. Mostly, the experiences have been good, and perhaps I just joined the forum because I'm going to get a little nostalgic when it's all over next month. Ok, I do admit to chuckling a little at some posts, for instance the parent of a 6 year old pre-teamer worried about switching gyms to one where there's an elite program. Looking back, I've seen so many of my girls' teammates, some with incredible promise, drop out from injury, burn-out, or simply the desire to try other activities. I've seen girls retire when their bodies have grown beyond ideal gymnast porportions. There's so much that could be coming. And yet . . . I love the enthusiasm and the excitment all the new gymnasts and their parents have. It's fun. There's so much to dream about. It's kind of like getting to relive those first few meets in level 4 when we had no idea what to expect. I really enjoy reading the posts here.

I can relate to this particular post because I joined this site shortly after my dd quit gymnastics. This is after being a gym mom for 16 years, so it was hard for me to let go of the whole experience. That's how I got my name gymnomore. Since joining, I love being able to read about the experiences of other gym moms and especially reading about the help everyone gives each other here. I also have to chuckle at the moms of 6 year olds with so many of the same concerns I had when my kids were much older, like training hours and gaining skills, dealing with coaches, and progressing through the levels, etc. When I read about the little ones learning new skills, I so vividly remember seeing my own dd's learning the same skills so many years ago. Where did the time go? It is also nice to have coaches on here giving their opinions, advice and word of wisdom. I truly wish I had this forum to turn to during the time in my dd's gymnastics career that I needed answers. Sorry if I sometimes sound like a coach-basher on here, but we've had some horrible experiences with a coach that basically ruined by dd's USAG career. As it turned out, my dd unexpectedly returned to the gym world this year as a very successful high school gymnast. Not only that, but she's branched out to other sports and activities using the skills she learned in gymnastics. She still loves gymnastics, but it is so much less stressful when it doesn't consume her life. She just completed her season, and I suppose maybe I should change my name. How about momofachamp?

[Livinatthegym]

Quote:
Originally Posted by gymnomore As it turned out, my dd unexpectedly returned to the gym world this year as a very successful high school gymnast. Not only that, but she's branched out to other sports and activities using the skills she learned in gymnastics. She still loves gymnastics, but it is so much less stressful when it doesn't consume her life.

Oh, you're so lucky. Gymnastics isn't a sanctioned high school sport in our state, so when this season ends (at state or at regionals), we're done for good. Dd1 might coach rec. One thing I do know is that no matter how many activities she gets into, she'll be able to handle the load. It won't be anything like the load she's carrying now while she's at the gym!

[kristilyn73]

Living at the gym,

I hope when you season is over that you will still visit us at "the bucket" once and a while.

It is nice to hear from parents who have been through it all and came out the other side alive and sucessful!