C
clueless
I put this topic here rather than the parents forum because I'm as interested in feedback from the coaches' end if they'd care to comment.
It was really interesting seeing the differences (other thread) of what sorts of other activities other gymnasts do and don't do at a younger age. (Obviously a lot of older gymnasts really don't have time for much else).
I personally have liked my 7 y/o DD to try lots of different activities while she's young. I don't feel that she's overscheduled although she does have activities more days than not, and they're all active types (dance/cheer/etc).
BUT - wow that's a decision that becomes harder to juggle as time goes on. In some ways it's great to be quite sure that DD is able to choose what she prefers. On the other hand I've tended to say yes to filling in non-gym days with other things because it gives DD a desirable (to me) outlet for her energy and love of an audience.
I always knew the day would come where DD would have to choose. But I thought it would be because of incompatible scheduling. In reality I'm strongly starting to feel like various coaches and teachers would rather DD be committed only to their sport. One (non-gym) teacher was pretty negative about gymnastics, but the others have never said anything directly against other activities - but they have asked a few questions and I get a negative vibe when I answer that I can't explain. I don't think DD does enough to risk over-use injuries and they should all know her well enough to know how active she is. Do you think I'm imagining things and should get over myself?
DD will ultimately choose gym. She loves one other sport as much, but she'd lose her place in her current gym team. She's doing 3 days pw and might move to 4-5 days next year? Age limits is why I think she'll 'have' to choose gymnastics 'first'. (ie: She might be less disadvantaged to return to the other later than vice versa).
Apart from scheduling availability, meet commitments, available money/interest/energy ... How do you know when the time has come for a child to choose between activities? I think I'm worried about negative consequences if she doesn't start 'specialising' soon - but I'm not exactly sure what I mean by this. Maybe something like if coaches are borderline about promoting/cutting DD which ends up being influenced by perceived lack of commitment to gymnastics?
Please don't be too hard on me for also saying part of my motivation/worrying is preferring DD to do well at one sport rather than be the all-rounder who doesn't care far in any.
It was really interesting seeing the differences (other thread) of what sorts of other activities other gymnasts do and don't do at a younger age. (Obviously a lot of older gymnasts really don't have time for much else).
I personally have liked my 7 y/o DD to try lots of different activities while she's young. I don't feel that she's overscheduled although she does have activities more days than not, and they're all active types (dance/cheer/etc).
BUT - wow that's a decision that becomes harder to juggle as time goes on. In some ways it's great to be quite sure that DD is able to choose what she prefers. On the other hand I've tended to say yes to filling in non-gym days with other things because it gives DD a desirable (to me) outlet for her energy and love of an audience.
I always knew the day would come where DD would have to choose. But I thought it would be because of incompatible scheduling. In reality I'm strongly starting to feel like various coaches and teachers would rather DD be committed only to their sport. One (non-gym) teacher was pretty negative about gymnastics, but the others have never said anything directly against other activities - but they have asked a few questions and I get a negative vibe when I answer that I can't explain. I don't think DD does enough to risk over-use injuries and they should all know her well enough to know how active she is. Do you think I'm imagining things and should get over myself?
DD will ultimately choose gym. She loves one other sport as much, but she'd lose her place in her current gym team. She's doing 3 days pw and might move to 4-5 days next year? Age limits is why I think she'll 'have' to choose gymnastics 'first'. (ie: She might be less disadvantaged to return to the other later than vice versa).
Apart from scheduling availability, meet commitments, available money/interest/energy ... How do you know when the time has come for a child to choose between activities? I think I'm worried about negative consequences if she doesn't start 'specialising' soon - but I'm not exactly sure what I mean by this. Maybe something like if coaches are borderline about promoting/cutting DD which ends up being influenced by perceived lack of commitment to gymnastics?
Please don't be too hard on me for also saying part of my motivation/worrying is preferring DD to do well at one sport rather than be the all-rounder who doesn't care far in any.