Mean Girl

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it takes courage, but it is always best to confront people directly. I’d talk to the other mom in a non-judgmental way and say what you have noticed and that you are confused and sad about it. I’d say I wanted to keep my kid out of social stress and that all the kids should be supported. Just put it on the table and see what happens. I’d also say that your child is in this sport for the exercise and fun and discipline and that you aren’t worried about her outdoing others. You’re not wanting to rank kids, just have a positive experience.

If some kid was being unkind to my kid, I’d directly ask them about it in a calm and firm voice. I’d ask what’s going on? When you approach people in a questioning way they feel less attacked and defensive. For the other kid I’d emphasize that you’ve always thought she’s a great kid and is there something going on that you can help with? If it continues, I’d alert the coach. It would help for the coach to talk about competition among the kids in a general way to all the families.

Nope.

Sometimes it is. Most often it is not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d assume it’s gymnastics. Stop taking this competitive sport so seriously. I get it’s mostly the other girl but try to figure out why your daughter. It’s probably her mother is starting it by speaking negatively about your daughter when they’re alone.

Don’t take it seriously and stay away from this mother. Remember by high school 95% of the these tiny 10 year olds will have moved on from competitive gymnastics.

Not necessarily coming from the other girl's mom. When my daughter was doing gymnastics the girls would absolutely size each other up. They had in their minds who was best and who wasn't and they noticed and resented when other girls surpassed them or gained skills quicker. They would absolutely be jealous if they felt someone was getting ahead of them.

It’s the mothers. They set the tone. Of course the kids know who is doing the best. They have eyes. It’s up to the parents to teach them good sportsmanship and how it doesn’t define them based on who can flip higher than the other.

If one of the girls got top score did you go up to the girl and tell her how much you enjoyed her routine? Lead by example. It does make a difference e.

I mean sometimes it is and sometimes it isn't. Not saying parents shouldn't lead by example as they absolutely should but unfortuntately you might still end up with a mean kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Must be gymnastics, cheer, or dance.

Why? I thought OP was talking about travel soccer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Must be gymnastics, cheer, or dance.

Why? I thought OP was talking about travel soccer.

Competing one level higher in one category doesn’t sound like soccer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Must be gymnastics, cheer, or dance.

Why? I thought OP was talking about travel soccer.

Competing one level higher in one category doesn’t sound like soccer.

I have boys and girls. It can really be about anything. My sons played several sports. Boys are different than girls, competitive for sure. My boys seem to respect the superior athletes unlike girls. Girls seem to take it more personally like they are somehow being wronged.

My friend’s daughter is in dance and the mom and daughter act superior. My daughter is younger and only in non competitive dance and they definitely look down on us. I truly don’t care about the dance part but the attitude really turns me off. I have been slow fading them because the girl is not nice at all and I think they are a bad influence bc she is a tween mean girl.

My son is very good at his sports. The boys seem to like the better athletes. I know my son respects the varsity better players. He is only a freshman. He totally looks up to the elite athletes.