Recent content by alongfortheride

Yes. Although sometimes I worry that if she's actually that stressed maybe I should have her do another year of preteam.

My daughter who is 8 is training for level 3. She had the entire bar routine down and is now afraid to do a back hip circle. I literally have no idea why other than it's this weird mental block. It's not logical at all. She also still has trouble remembering the order of the floor and beam...

My daughter is almost 8. She has been on pre-team since last summer. Her gym starts competing at level 3. For the last month they have started learning routines. She seems to have a hard time remembering the dance moves on floor and beam (she generally struggles with memorization). I'm concerned...

Get rid of Division 2 at levels 6 and 7. Have 2 judges for each event and average the scores together. Allow for 2 vaults like the girls.

After over a year of competing Div 1/Div 2, what are your thoughts on the system? Personally, I like Divisions for levels 4 and 5. It gives the little guys a chance to get some awards. I'm not a huge fan of the divisions for levels 6 and up. I think by then, the boys know where they stand...

Wow. . .35 hours a week! My son would definitely quit if he had to practice that much each week. He would be burned out. Even 22 is a lot. . but 35!

At our state competition, they had several levels combined for one session. While watching, I noticed that one of the level 7 competitors had actually competed as an 8 all season, and then competed as a level 7 for states. He took several first place medals. Is this common in the upper levels...

If your son was age 10, competing level 7, division 1, but only scoring in low 50's (up until this point of the season). . .would you have him repeat the level with the goal of learning all the bonuses, or try to go to level 8 for the next season? Some people have said level 8 is "easier" in...

So, thinking through this. . my DS competed last year as an 8 year old level 6. This year, he will (due to age changes) compete as a 10 year old Level 7. If the groups for Level 8 are ages 12 or 13/14 , this means he has to compete Level 7 again next year, correct?

In my personal opinion, booster clubs/parents associations are great if you like drama, cliques, power struggles, that "back in high school" feeling, etc. I don't see them as financially beneficial. When you calculate the hours of work fundraising and figure out the actual "pay" per hour...

So funny! My son never did that vault, but the mental imagery is hilarious. I'm curious about the changes to level 7, as far as skills go.

Has anyone heard anything about the new routines/changes for the upcoming competitive season?

I personally don't see the necessity of making this change now. Was the other way really that big of a problem? No matter what cut-off date you choose, someone is at a disadvantage so why make such a big change? It's only going to tick people off.

I have never switched gyms to this point, and would not switch gyms without very good reasons. Certainly it wouldn't be a light decision. It would not be because I thought "you're not good enough", (I realize the grass is not always greener) but because I thought something else was better for my...

Unprofessional. How would we feel if our child's teachers did not communicate with us? Or our doctors? Or pediatricians? True, they are with our children for many hours a week. So are my childrens' school teachers. If for some reason, I am unsatisfied with the teachers' behavior or the...