Hi everyone! I am a relative new gym mom. I have a 4 year old DD on pre-team level 2. She seems to have a natural ability for gymnastics, but I will admit, her life does not revolve around gymnastics. I know that she is very young, so I don't push her at all. She loves the gym and learning new skills. I have been feeling bad lately because a few of DD little friends are amazing gymnasts. 4-6 year olds doing incredible skills, that my DD can't even begin to do (back walkovers on beam, multiple back handsprings, etc.). The reason for this is because her friends spend every waking minute away from the gym, practicing at home (with parents spotting and coming up with daily workouts 2-3 hours long for their kids). One of DD friends (she is 5 or 6 years old) basically has a gym at home. Anyway, my DD gets sad that she can't do some of the skill her friends can do. I tell her that it is because the other girls practice at home, but DD has zero interest in practicing at home. I have tried to get her to stretch and condition a bit, but it is a nightmare. I have come to believe that at 4 years old, she needs to be a kid. She needs to have fun when she is not in the gym, so I don't push her anymore to practice.......but when I see her friends, I wonder if I am making the right decision. As much as I hear "my DD just loooooves to practice, I can't stop her! She does it ALL on her own" I just don't believe it. I can't imagine kids 4-6 years old wanting to spend hours and hours every day stretching and conditioning and working on skills. I can see as they get older wanting to work at home, but not that young??? Sometimes I feel like I am wrong? Should I be encouraging my DD to do more work at home? Sorry this is so long......I really appreciate any advice or wisdom from more seasoned gym parents!!