Comments on: To Gymnastics Parents & Coaches: “Sometimes, I get concerned…”

By: Admin

Admin — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:31:30 +0000

Continue to encourage her and make sure she still enjoys all aspects. She’s at an age where it’s difficult to maintain enthusiasm for practice. Again, keep the encouragement high and refrain from forceful influence as that may drive her away from the sport. Practice is a means to an end and that is often hard for kids (and adults) to understand. Hope this helps.

By: Anne

Anne — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:26:24 +0000

Okay, I totally get and agree with all of the above. I have a question, though. My daughter just turned 10 and is a Level 6. She sometimes fights us about going to gym. She says she loves it, doesn’t want to quit, etc, but sometimes argues when it’s time for workout. For example, practice was called off on Monday (holiday), she normally doesn’t have gym on Tuesday, it was cancelled Wednesday due to snow, and now Thursday, it’s a normal practice day. She was busy playing with her friends and brother out in the snow, and then whined because she didn’t want to go. When she’s home, she’s always doing gymnastics stuff: tricks on the trampoline, making up floor routines, etc. She has had lots of success, her coaches are wonderful with positive approaches, etc. and she’s happy while she’s at gym. She says she doesn’t want to go to a different gym, she wants to stay where she is. So, how am I supposed to respond to her? Do I just let her skip practice? My husband, her coaches, and I all think she has quite a high level of talent for someone her age, but maybe she lacks the maturity to accompany it. I’m just not sure how to handle this. Please help!

By: Annette

Annette — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:10:34 +0000

As a parent of a “almost” level 4 girl, (she’s six and just getting into the team program), my thing is “Isn’t this supposed to be fun for them?” My daughter loves it and is having fun, that’s what I think is important for her at this age. She is lucky enough to have an awesome coach that makes working hard fun, too. As she gets older,(and she continues to progress) SHE will have to make the choice about how competitve she wants to be. I don’t feel I need to push, she expects more from herself at 6 than most kids twice her age, I don’t have to add to that!

By: Mary Potter

Mary Potter — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:30:44 +0000

I think once a girl reaches, say, Level 7, it’s time to bring the big guns out. If they’re still doing gymnastics and want to compete, then the coach has to get competitive. Otherwise, it’s just recreation.