munchkin3
Proud Parent
I got to thinking about the college thread a lot and I was talking to a friend from our daughters team. We were talking about really good gyms, and scholarships and yadda yadda....
So I told her that I feel gymnastics is a sport in which parents can easily get sucked into a vacuum and think that a scholarship is the destination. I know that different families were willing to go to different extremes to help their child obtain a scholarship and its not at all unheard of for kids to be home schooled, living in the gym WHILE mom and dad are paying the 500-1000 per month for intensive gymnastics, to get one.
I feel that there is a big danger with parents thinking this way. The REALITY is- the chances of a kid making it to optionals is small.....the chances of making it past L8, smaller.....the chances of getting to L10 even smaller yet, (and, not being burnt out) ....chances of remaining healthy through years of pounding- small..........then to get an ACTUAL paying scholarship???.....There are just TOO many variables here.
So, my friend said I was very negative and my 'dream killing' may come through on my Daughter.....This could be true (but I hope not), however I am a realistic person. I have always told my Daughter, whatever she wants, I will support as long as its is in my power. I have kept her thinking of 'NOW' vs. 5 years from now, or next season.
I also feel that very talented kids do not need to give up everything to obtain a scholarship.....Maybe, just maybe, there are parents that are pushing the scholarship idea to kids that are not talented enough (thus homeschooling, training 6 days a week since 12 YO).....
All im saying is the chances are low, and parents should not be thinking of scholarships with L5/6/7/8s...
Am I being a dream killer??? I always think of myself as not putting pressure on my gymnast and have her live mindfully, and succeed from within herself.
Not easy in this sport.
So I told her that I feel gymnastics is a sport in which parents can easily get sucked into a vacuum and think that a scholarship is the destination. I know that different families were willing to go to different extremes to help their child obtain a scholarship and its not at all unheard of for kids to be home schooled, living in the gym WHILE mom and dad are paying the 500-1000 per month for intensive gymnastics, to get one.
I feel that there is a big danger with parents thinking this way. The REALITY is- the chances of a kid making it to optionals is small.....the chances of making it past L8, smaller.....the chances of getting to L10 even smaller yet, (and, not being burnt out) ....chances of remaining healthy through years of pounding- small..........then to get an ACTUAL paying scholarship???.....There are just TOO many variables here.
So, my friend said I was very negative and my 'dream killing' may come through on my Daughter.....This could be true (but I hope not), however I am a realistic person. I have always told my Daughter, whatever she wants, I will support as long as its is in my power. I have kept her thinking of 'NOW' vs. 5 years from now, or next season.
I also feel that very talented kids do not need to give up everything to obtain a scholarship.....Maybe, just maybe, there are parents that are pushing the scholarship idea to kids that are not talented enough (thus homeschooling, training 6 days a week since 12 YO).....
All im saying is the chances are low, and parents should not be thinking of scholarships with L5/6/7/8s...
Am I being a dream killer??? I always think of myself as not putting pressure on my gymnast and have her live mindfully, and succeed from within herself.
Not easy in this sport.