meganliz77
Proud Parent
So went to observe the last 30 - 45 minutes of DD's practice tonight - last one before her first level 6 meet and I wanted to see how her floor was coming along... no biggie...
I wasn't going to be driving her home, DH was because I had to shuffle the other kiddos. Anyhow, after practice concluded she was clingy, whiny, a crying mess... out in the car of course. She then said - "I had a horrible day and you're the only one who knows how to make me feel better".... seriously, broke my heart a bit.
She went on to tell me that she kept balking on that darn back-walkover on beam and coach said she had to compete a cartwheel. Well, she later admitted coach said she can do either of them but did not want her balking and causing an injury to herself. Talked this through with DD. Explained coach KNOWS she can do the BWO, because she HAS competed it beautifully, but she wants her to have a choice so that she doesn't get hurt. A lot for an 8 yr old to understand I think.
Then she said bars were horrible. She had been working on her fly away, but at her mobility meet 2 weeks ago she fell on her butt after landing it. This week they introduced her to a layout (I think that's what it's called)... she said that happened after she over-rotated the fly away (and spotter wasn't spotting well) and she landed on her back and knocked the wind out of herself. She said she was balking a bit on her dismounts - hit or miss. She also said that she was straddling too early and missing her squat on in the bar series - mind you this is newer to her also. And honestly, kip-cast-HS is still a hit or miss not real pretty thing anyways - but coach hasn't been concerned about that.
She is a perfectionist - and when things are not going right, she gets really hard on herself. My heart breaks for her-- she may be tough, but she is still my little girl. I reminded her that placement didn't mean squat... that her best on any given day is plenty enough. I reminded her to focus on the things she is most proud of, and to make a list of things she wants to accomplish during this meet and her others coming up - not what coach wants, mom wants, etc... but what really is important to her. It is so hard to see your kiddo struggle with this stuff. I reminded her that even the best gymnasts have rotten days, and they learn from them and keep chugging along.
Praying her usual confidence kicks in at meet time... and she is able to feel good about how she does no matter the outcome... and I will remind her that a hug will be waiting for her afterwards
I wasn't going to be driving her home, DH was because I had to shuffle the other kiddos. Anyhow, after practice concluded she was clingy, whiny, a crying mess... out in the car of course. She then said - "I had a horrible day and you're the only one who knows how to make me feel better".... seriously, broke my heart a bit.
She went on to tell me that she kept balking on that darn back-walkover on beam and coach said she had to compete a cartwheel. Well, she later admitted coach said she can do either of them but did not want her balking and causing an injury to herself. Talked this through with DD. Explained coach KNOWS she can do the BWO, because she HAS competed it beautifully, but she wants her to have a choice so that she doesn't get hurt. A lot for an 8 yr old to understand I think.
Then she said bars were horrible. She had been working on her fly away, but at her mobility meet 2 weeks ago she fell on her butt after landing it. This week they introduced her to a layout (I think that's what it's called)... she said that happened after she over-rotated the fly away (and spotter wasn't spotting well) and she landed on her back and knocked the wind out of herself. She said she was balking a bit on her dismounts - hit or miss. She also said that she was straddling too early and missing her squat on in the bar series - mind you this is newer to her also. And honestly, kip-cast-HS is still a hit or miss not real pretty thing anyways - but coach hasn't been concerned about that.
She is a perfectionist - and when things are not going right, she gets really hard on herself. My heart breaks for her-- she may be tough, but she is still my little girl. I reminded her that placement didn't mean squat... that her best on any given day is plenty enough. I reminded her to focus on the things she is most proud of, and to make a list of things she wants to accomplish during this meet and her others coming up - not what coach wants, mom wants, etc... but what really is important to her. It is so hard to see your kiddo struggle with this stuff. I reminded her that even the best gymnasts have rotten days, and they learn from them and keep chugging along.
Praying her usual confidence kicks in at meet time... and she is able to feel good about how she does no matter the outcome... and I will remind her that a hug will be waiting for her afterwards