- Feb 28, 2016
- 8
- 5
Hello! New here (and to competitive cheer in general) and hoping for some insight and advice. I apologize in advance that this post is long and kind of all over the place.
My daughter (7) is in her first year of AS cheer. She is competing youth level 2 with a small local gym. My CP is the youngest and one of the smallest on the team, but was terrified to fly when we began practicing back in July, and so has served as a front or side spot. She is not a strong tumbler so spends a good deal of the routine "chicken nugget-ing" or standing still. She is enjoying the experience, especially competition (minus having to put on the eye makeup lol), but has expressed to me several times that she wishes she "got to do more" in the routines.
She can do a cartwheel and a round off, but does not consistently land clean. She is working on her back walkover and back handspring but is nowhere close to performing either unassisted. I have repeatedly requested to put her in a tumbling class or a private lesson. First the coach (who is also the gym owner) told me that she didn't think CP needed extra classes. Then she said she just didn't have any open spots available. Finally about a month ago she said she could offer a joint private with 2 other girls. We have had three of those sessions now and every time there have been 5-6 girls, not 3.
As a parent, I am struggling. I can understand CP's frustration at not feeling like she is really a part of the routine. I feel like she would get more out of being on a level 1 team, or even a mini level 2 with younger girls so that she could base, but this gym only has one team. The coach has mentioned recently that she is considering having a mini team next year, but I'm honestly not sure how she will find the time to do both. Her gym is booked solid every afternoon/evening.
There is a large gym nearby that would be able to offer a more age and skill level appropriate team, as well as any classes or privates that we could want. It is more expensive and further away, but we are willing to make the sacrifices if it's what CP wants to pursue.
I know that the first year is a learning experience, as I'm sure it has been for the coaches with it being their first year as well. I'm wondering: if it were your child what would you do? Stick with the small gym another year and see if the situation improves? Or move to the bigger gym?
*Side note: CP used to do gymnastics at the bigger gym so we know the atmosphere there, and feel CP could be happy either place.
My daughter (7) is in her first year of AS cheer. She is competing youth level 2 with a small local gym. My CP is the youngest and one of the smallest on the team, but was terrified to fly when we began practicing back in July, and so has served as a front or side spot. She is not a strong tumbler so spends a good deal of the routine "chicken nugget-ing" or standing still. She is enjoying the experience, especially competition (minus having to put on the eye makeup lol), but has expressed to me several times that she wishes she "got to do more" in the routines.
She can do a cartwheel and a round off, but does not consistently land clean. She is working on her back walkover and back handspring but is nowhere close to performing either unassisted. I have repeatedly requested to put her in a tumbling class or a private lesson. First the coach (who is also the gym owner) told me that she didn't think CP needed extra classes. Then she said she just didn't have any open spots available. Finally about a month ago she said she could offer a joint private with 2 other girls. We have had three of those sessions now and every time there have been 5-6 girls, not 3.
As a parent, I am struggling. I can understand CP's frustration at not feeling like she is really a part of the routine. I feel like she would get more out of being on a level 1 team, or even a mini level 2 with younger girls so that she could base, but this gym only has one team. The coach has mentioned recently that she is considering having a mini team next year, but I'm honestly not sure how she will find the time to do both. Her gym is booked solid every afternoon/evening.
There is a large gym nearby that would be able to offer a more age and skill level appropriate team, as well as any classes or privates that we could want. It is more expensive and further away, but we are willing to make the sacrifices if it's what CP wants to pursue.
I know that the first year is a learning experience, as I'm sure it has been for the coaches with it being their first year as well. I'm wondering: if it were your child what would you do? Stick with the small gym another year and see if the situation improves? Or move to the bigger gym?
*Side note: CP used to do gymnastics at the bigger gym so we know the atmosphere there, and feel CP could be happy either place.