annemurphy4
Proud Parent
Hello - I'm a new poster but have been lurking for quite a while
This past Monday during my DD's L3 class, the coaches let us know who will be moving up to L4 and who is staying another season for L3. My DD was one of the ones moving up to L4....but after a conversation with the coaches afterwards, we dropped a bomb (that's what the reaction was) that we agreed (daughter and I ) that she would like to stay at L3 one more year. I wasn't prepared for the weird reactions from the coaches and many of the parents.
My kid is not your normal gymnast. She is non-competitive and is there to learn new skills and to participate in something that she enjoys. Last meet season this past fall was fun, she paid no attention to scores and going to state didn't really phase her. I am looking to the future and would like to see longevity in this sport and not for her to burn out by the time she's 12...and that's why I'm encouraging her to stick with L3 another year. The regular training hours for L3 in our gym are 9 hrs a week. My daughter goes 5 (we skip the third day and I pick her up early the other two nights) one coach feels we are being disrespectful by not showing up "like everyone does for the 9hrs" and I feel that I am doing all I can to keep my daughter interested in the sport she likes (but does not love) He was almost angry the other night when my kid is the only L3 doing kips over and over - or cartwheels on the beam. I'm not sure how to swim through this weirdness - I think that because the skills come easy to her (she is 7 ) the coaches and some of the parents are confused or resentful that she doesn't put in the same time, yet she has mastered the skills asked of her.
She started out going 3x a week for 3 hrs and she hated it. She wanted to still go to brownies and play outside with the neighbor kids so....we cut back hours....and she is just as successful - even moreso. There is no way she wants to spend 12-16 hrs in the gym right now & with summer coming up. Am I out of line here? I thought it was the athletes/parents decision how "in" they want to be in the sport?
This past Monday during my DD's L3 class, the coaches let us know who will be moving up to L4 and who is staying another season for L3. My DD was one of the ones moving up to L4....but after a conversation with the coaches afterwards, we dropped a bomb (that's what the reaction was) that we agreed (daughter and I ) that she would like to stay at L3 one more year. I wasn't prepared for the weird reactions from the coaches and many of the parents.
My kid is not your normal gymnast. She is non-competitive and is there to learn new skills and to participate in something that she enjoys. Last meet season this past fall was fun, she paid no attention to scores and going to state didn't really phase her. I am looking to the future and would like to see longevity in this sport and not for her to burn out by the time she's 12...and that's why I'm encouraging her to stick with L3 another year. The regular training hours for L3 in our gym are 9 hrs a week. My daughter goes 5 (we skip the third day and I pick her up early the other two nights) one coach feels we are being disrespectful by not showing up "like everyone does for the 9hrs" and I feel that I am doing all I can to keep my daughter interested in the sport she likes (but does not love) He was almost angry the other night when my kid is the only L3 doing kips over and over - or cartwheels on the beam. I'm not sure how to swim through this weirdness - I think that because the skills come easy to her (she is 7 ) the coaches and some of the parents are confused or resentful that she doesn't put in the same time, yet she has mastered the skills asked of her.
She started out going 3x a week for 3 hrs and she hated it. She wanted to still go to brownies and play outside with the neighbor kids so....we cut back hours....and she is just as successful - even moreso. There is no way she wants to spend 12-16 hrs in the gym right now & with summer coming up. Am I out of line here? I thought it was the athletes/parents decision how "in" they want to be in the sport?