Non-gym folks just don't understand - Page 2

Shawn · #11 03-13-2008, 07:38 AM

My parents have seen her at practice and do come to some of her meets. They've also seen her at home and on the trampoline. They know how much she enjoys doing gym. What they don't understand is the search for the "right" gym, the need to make a change when issues arise and the importance of these decisions. They don't understand why she can't just go to some gym and take some classes or be on their team and that be that. They don't get that there is so much more to this sport and that, at the competitive level (no matter how low a level), it is not a casual undertaking like starting piano lessons or playing t-ball.

lagymmom · #12 03-13-2008, 07:47 AM


Quote:
Originally Posted by Shawn My parents have seen her at practice and do come to some of her meets. They've also seen her at home and on the trampoline. They know how much she enjoys doing gym. What they don't understand is the search for the "right" gym, the need to make a change when issues arise and the importance of these decisions. They don't understand why she can't just go to some gym and take some classes or be on their team and that be that. They don't get that there is so much more to this sport and that, at the competitive level (no matter how low a level), it is not a casual undertaking like starting piano lessons or playing t-ball.

This is so true! Most people believe that if a person is very talented in gymanstics, then why can't they just go anywhere and "get it". They don't understand the need for the best coaches and training facilities and long hours spent in the gym.

Shawn · #13 03-13-2008, 08:09 AM

Oh, and the newest... "if she's so talented, she'll still be talented when she's older. She'll be better able to know what she wants when she's 10 or 12. Why can't she wait and do it then?" I've tried to explain that in regards to college or elite dreams, starting at 10 or 12 is too late, that there just plain isn't time to learn all the skills that quickly. But, to no avail. Non-gym folks just don't understand.

gymgramma · #14 03-13-2008, 08:37 AM

What we have discovered over the years is that the friends complaining about how much time my granddaughter spends in the gym are either:
- those whose children are "couch potatoes" or
- parents that don't "have time" for anything that "involves" their children. Their own personal activities take precedence over their kids.

momof5 · #15 03-13-2008, 02:18 PM

I don't get the comments on time but I always hear from all my siblings and parents about the cost. They can't believe the amount of money I spend on this sport already and she won't even be on team until next year. I try to stay pretty mum on actual expenses that will go into being on team because then I will hear less negative feedback.

hunde2 · #16 03-14-2008, 10:24 AM

I usually do not get to wrapped up about what people say until one day one of my coworkers was asking how my daughter did in her last competition.The meet was about 5 hrs away from home and we had to spend one night there.I told my coworker it did not go so well and told himthe scores.His responce was,"boy that is a moneypit".I could not believe what I just heard,considering his kids do Sports too.

Shawn · #17 03-14-2008, 01:06 PM

The expense is actually the one thing nobody has commented on. I do get the guilt trip about spending so much time at the gym with my daughter rather than with my two sons. I just try to make it up to them in other ways and my husband is home with them on practice nights. It's not like they're totally neglected.

catesmom · #18 03-14-2008, 04:53 PM

Now that my dd is 12 I don't feel as bad about the money as I used to. All those parents who were shocked at the cost of gymnastics are now shelling out big bucks for travel soccer and travel basketball, not to mention the cost of three different kinds of dance shoes and 4 or 5 costumes a recital. Then theres the competetive cheerleaders, and the baton twirlers and their trips across country.

Our children started earlier because of the nature of the sport, but the rest of the world, (at least around here) are catching up fast. I honestly have to bite my lip HARD when some of the parents who couldn't understand the time spent at the gym, now tell me the trials they are put through with their kids teams. Running them to mutiple practices, because the basketball players,the soccer players and the volleyball players, play for their school and then also play on the town traveling team. Then theres also the time the parents have to spend working at the games, heheheh, It warms my Gymmom heart.

momofagymmie · #19 03-17-2008, 04:17 PM

When my DD first started we got lots of comments. Mostly from friends not relatives or parents. I actually had one parent ask me why I push my dd to train so much! As if i could keep her away from the gym... They all ask well what about school and homework. How does it all fit in? I just wonder how any of this is any of their business anyway. I smile and say it all gets done and she's really happy doing it all.

Megley · #20 03-19-2008, 11:46 AM

I've been relatively lucky in this regard. I was a competitive swimmer and spent my childhood training at least as many hours in the pool as my daughter does gymnastics. My parents were supportive because they knew it was what I wanted to do - and they now realize the same about my daughter. My in-laws get it even more - they are the parents of two former college gymnasts! Kids are starting serious sports younger and younger these days. I totally agree about the travel soccer, travel basketball, and would include swimming, dance, anything that child is passionate about. I honestly haven't had anyone say anything negative to me about the hours.

Meg