Gymnastics team

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MY DS 10 loves gymnastics and is on a team and practices basically that much. He loves it and while he does, I'm fine with it.

If he starts to not like it, we can quit at any time.

He also took about 6 weeks off this summer for vacation and sleep away camp and I think that is good for him. He will be happy to go back when he gets back in town but it's also OK to have a break and that means he probably won't burn out.


As kids get older it is normal to narrow down to one or two things to focus on and that's fine if the kid likes it, IMO.

You think it is normal for an 8yr old to commit to year round gymnastics with this type of commitment? Sorry that is not normal and there is no time to play with school friends, other activities, birthday parties and family events. And not just for him but for other siblings and the parents. Just the responses of the nutso on this thread pushing going to the gym everyday as her life should be a huge red flag to the OP.

Do you know what it's like to have a true passion to do something? It sounds like you don't. Being somebody who feels a true passion to do something and is lucky enough to be able to do that one thing is a true gift in life.

I had something that I was passionate about as a child but my parents felt like you did and limited it, not because of any reason other than kids shouldn't do one thing (it wasn't a financial or family consideration). As soon as I got out of the house, I tried to make up for lost time, but it was in many ways too late. I'll always wonder what might have been. I do not think I benefited by that decision. It's one thing to quash a kid's interest because it has negative impact on the rest of the family or the cost or whatever. It's quite another to quash it because you are being a controlling parent and don't want your child to focus on one thing because of your own issues.

An 8yr old can be passionate about something and not devote 4hrs daily to it (excluding commute to and from.) I would say we will start with 2-3hrs twice and week and once on weekends and if you are practicing ON YOUR OWN as well, improving and still keeping your grades up, we will talk about more in the future. If kids are passionate they will practice that instrument, sport or activity on their own and not just with a paid program. As a parent, I would never jump in, pay and drive my child to and from daily for 4hrs whether I have to stay there or not. They would have to show me the commitment first. And saying they like it and want to be there daily isn't good enough.

You very clearly do not understand how gymnastics works. First, no coach anywhere is going to let parents dictate practice schedule and participation. Practices are highly structured, and missing part of practice means missing requisite instruction. Believe me, gymnastics coaches aren't keeping kids in the gym "just because." There are only so many hours, only so much equipment, and tons and tons of kids. Coaches are masters of schedule juggling and working out what kids get on what events at what time. Practice groups are organized carefully by skill level and fit into this big schedule puzzle.

Second, nothing makes gymnastics coaches scream and tear their hair out like the phrase "He'll practice on his own." No no no no no! One, I have no idea how you think a child is going to practice, say, pommel horse outside of the gym. You just have one of those hanging out in your basement? Second, I can't count the number of kids over the years that come in with sprains and broken bones because they were showing off their skills on the playground, no matter how many times we tell them not to. We invest a lot in not only the proper safety equipment, but teaching the proper skill progressions and always always always being there to assist, provide corrections, take a step back and review previous progressions if something isn't working. And you think your kid can just practice on his own and be okay? Gymnastics is not the trombone.

I've had parents try this. I always tell them that I'm sorry they feel that way and I really like their kid, but clearly this isn't going to work out and I wish them best of luck somewhere else. Imagine 80 kids on the competitive team and each and every one of them has a custom practice schedule. IT DOES NOT WORK. The practice schedule set forth is the one that maximizes what we can get out of practice--the goal is never to be wasting time or have kids there just because. So, sure, if you have concerns about your kid practicing 12 hours a week, ask the coaches. They should be happy to explain why that's necessary. But they're not going to negotiate. You have to decide if you accept their explanation and feel the benefits to your kid outweigh the costs. If you decide not to make that commitment, say thanks and move on. But stop acting like gymnastics coaches, and the parents of gymnasts, are some sort of monsters hellbent of denying kids your narrow definition of childhood.

[Anonymous]

My 11 year old ds is a level 8 gymnast and practices 18-20 hours a week year round. There is really no time for anything else, but there is nowhere he'd rather be. He loves it, he's very successful at it, and as long as he continues to make straight As, we will continue to support it wholeheartedly.

[Anonymous]

We are new to boys gymnastics. My son is 6 and just loves it. We go to Capital in Burke. How do the boys teams typically work? I am just curious if he continues doing gymnastics, how the boys programs work. Do the kids try out? Any experienced parents, I would just like to hear how the progression goes if he continues.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are new to boys gymnastics. My son is 6 and just loves it. We go to Capital in Burke. How do the boys teams typically work? I am just curious if he continues doing gymnastics, how the boys programs work. Do the kids try out? Any experienced parents, I would just like to hear how the progression goes if he continues.

If you are interested in team, talk to the coach and they will evaluate your son and tell you if he might be right for the program. Capital doesn't hold try outs, but they will invite kids who they think are capable.

[Anonymous]

I think what gives some people pause, and I admit I can fall into this camp, is often with the gymnastics threads, if you have no experience with it (I don't beyond some middle school tumbling classes) its hard to wrap your mind around how YOUNG the deep commitment needs to start in order to become even remotely competitive.

yes, around here it seems like all sports are like that..........but the reality is that for many team sports, no you are no where near your peak at 14,15, even 16. If you are intensely in those sports, the commitment is high but it can be something that starts a little later if you have a talent. Whereas in gymnastics it seem as if you have a talent for it you need to start that commitment at 8 or 9. So I think the age of the kids makes some of us gun shy a bit compared to other competitive activities.

Just my observation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think what gives some people pause, and I admit I can fall into this camp, is often with the gymnastics threads, if you have no experience with it (I don't beyond some middle school tumbling classes) its hard to wrap your mind around how YOUNG the deep commitment needs to start in order to become even remotely competitive.

yes, around here it seems like all sports are like that..........but the reality is that for many team sports, no you are no where near your peak at 14,15, even 16. If you are intensely in those sports, the commitment is high but it can be something that starts a little later if you have a talent. Whereas in gymnastics it seem as if you have a talent for it you need to start that commitment at 8 or 9. So I think the age of the kids makes some of us gun shy a bit compared to other competitive activities.

Just my observation.

This is true. It's an intense commitment from as young as 5-6 years old. Girls are under much more pressure than boys as they typically peak around puberty where boys typically don't peak until college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think what gives some people pause, and I admit I can fall into this camp, is often with the gymnastics threads, if you have no experience with it (I don't beyond some middle school tumbling classes) its hard to wrap your mind around how YOUNG the deep commitment needs to start in order to become even remotely competitive.

yes, around here it seems like all sports are like that..........but the reality is that for many team sports, no you are no where near your peak at 14,15, even 16. If you are intensely in those sports, the commitment is high but it can be something that starts a little later if you have a talent. Whereas in gymnastics it seem as if you have a talent for it you need to start that commitment at 8 or 9. So I think the age of the kids makes some of us gun shy a bit compared to other competitive activities.

Just my observation.

I think this is definitely part of it. At the age of 5 or 6, I call complete and total "boshi" on the "my kid has a deep and abiding passion for gymnastics" (or anything at all) 5 and 6 year olds should still be exploring the world! If you are devoting 12 hours a week to something at the age of 6, you are significantly limiting your exposure to lots of other things - and those other things may be things that you would be just as - if not more - passionate about. There is absolutely a huge opportunity cost here.

I have no doubt that there is the very rare savant who is totally and completely amazing and passionate about gymnastics (or violin or dance or whatever) in early elementary school. But those kids are extraordinarily outside the norm and are few and far between - there are certainly not enough of them to be filling up gym upon gym of "passionate and talented" 1st graders, which is what we seem to have in the area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think what gives some people pause, and I admit I can fall into this camp, is often with the gymnastics threads, if you have no experience with it (I don't beyond some middle school tumbling classes) its hard to wrap your mind around how YOUNG the deep commitment needs to start in order to become even remotely competitive.

yes, around here it seems like all sports are like that..........but the reality is that for many team sports, no you are no where near your peak at 14,15, even 16. If you are intensely in those sports, the commitment is high but it can be something that starts a little later if you have a talent. Whereas in gymnastics it seem as if you have a talent for it you need to start that commitment at 8 or 9. So I think the age of the kids makes some of us gun shy a bit compared to other competitive activities.

Just my observation.

I think this is definitely part of it. At the age of 5 or 6, I call complete and total "boshi" on the "my kid has a deep and abiding passion for gymnastics" (or anything at all) 5 and 6 year olds should still be exploring the world! If you are devoting 12 hours a week to something at the age of 6, you are significantly limiting your exposure to lots of other things - and those other things may be things that you would be just as - if not more - passionate about. There is absolutely a huge opportunity cost here.

I have no doubt that there is the very rare savant who is totally and completely amazing and passionate about gymnastics (or violin or dance or whatever) in early elementary school. But those kids are extraordinarily outside the norm and are few and far between - there are certainly not enough of them to be filling up gym upon gym of "passionate and talented" 1st graders, which is what we seem to have in the area.

No one believes it until they have one of those kids. My ds started preteam at age 5 and started competing at age 6. At that age he had practice 2-3 times a week and couldn't wait until he could go every day. At 11, he trains 6 days a week and still loves it. We're on vacation right now and he can't wait to get back. I have had several talks with him over the years about how he's going to look back on his childhood one day and 90% of his memories are going to be gymnastics, and is he sure this is what he wants to be doing with all of his time. He's sure, and as long as he's sure, we're going to let him keep following his dream.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think what gives some people pause, and I admit I can fall into this camp, is often with the gymnastics threads, if you have no experience with it (I don't beyond some middle school tumbling classes) its hard to wrap your mind around how YOUNG the deep commitment needs to start in order to become even remotely competitive.

yes, around here it seems like all sports are like that..........but the reality is that for many team sports, no you are no where near your peak at 14,15, even 16. If you are intensely in those sports, the commitment is high but it can be something that starts a little later if you have a talent. Whereas in gymnastics it seem as if you have a talent for it you need to start that commitment at 8 or 9. So I think the age of the kids makes some of us gun shy a bit compared to other competitive activities.

Just my observation.

I think this is definitely part of it. At the age of 5 or 6, I call complete and total "boshi" on the "my kid has a deep and abiding passion for gymnastics" (or anything at all) 5 and 6 year olds should still be exploring the world! If you are devoting 12 hours a week to something at the age of 6, you are significantly limiting your exposure to lots of other things - and those other things may be things that you would be just as - if not more - passionate about. There is absolutely a huge opportunity cost here.

I have no doubt that there is the very rare savant who is totally and completely amazing and passionate about gymnastics (or violin or dance or whatever) in early elementary school. But those kids are extraordinarily outside the norm and are few and far between - there are certainly not enough of them to be filling up gym upon gym of "passionate and talented" 1st graders, which is what we seem to have in the area.

No one believes it until they have one of those kids. My ds started preteam at age 5 and started competing at age 6. At that age he had practice 2-3 times a week and couldn't wait until he could go every day. At 11, he trains 6 days a week and still loves it. We're on vacation right now and he can't wait to get back. I have had several talks with him over the years about how he's going to look back on his childhood one day and 90% of his memories are going to be gymnastics, and is he sure this is what he wants to be doing with all of his time. He's sure, and as long as he's sure, we're going to let him keep following his dream.

Yes, exactly. I think PP need to keep an open mind; some kids do show a passion for tumbling at an early age. I'm kind of convinced there is some sort of chemical rush they get. My kids don't do it, either, but I know kids who do and it's remarkable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:MY DS 10 loves gymnastics and is on a team and practices basically that much. He loves it and while he does, I'm fine with it.

If he starts to not like it, we can quit at any time.

He also took about 6 weeks off this summer for vacation and sleep away camp and I think that is good for him. He will be happy to go back when he gets back in town but it's also OK to have a break and that means he probably won't burn out.


As kids get older it is normal to narrow down to one or two things to focus on and that's fine if the kid likes it, IMO.

You think it is normal for an 8yr old to commit to year round gymnastics with this type of commitment? Sorry that is not normal and there is no time to play with school friends, other activities, birthday parties and family events. And not just for him but for other siblings and the parents. Just the responses of the nutso on this thread pushing going to the gym everyday as her life should be a huge red flag to the OP.

Do you know what it's like to have a true passion to do something? It sounds like you don't. Being somebody who feels a true passion to do something and is lucky enough to be able to do that one thing is a true gift in life.

I had something that I was passionate about as a child but my parents felt like you did and limited it, not because of any reason other than kids shouldn't do one thing (it wasn't a financial or family consideration). As soon as I got out of the house, I tried to make up for lost time, but it was in many ways too late. I'll always wonder what might have been. I do not think I benefited by that decision. It's one thing to quash a kid's interest because it has negative impact on the rest of the family or the cost or whatever. It's quite another to quash it because you are being a controlling parent and don't want your child to focus on one thing because of your own issues.

An 8yr old can be passionate about something and not devote 4hrs daily to it (excluding commute to and from.) I would say we will start with 2-3hrs twice and week and once on weekends and if you are practicing ON YOUR OWN as well, improving and still keeping your grades up, we will talk about more in the future. If kids are passionate they will practice that instrument, sport or activity on their own and not just with a paid program. As a parent, I would never jump in, pay and drive my child to and from daily for 4hrs whether I have to stay there or not. They would have to show me the commitment first. And saying they like it and want to be there daily isn't good enough.

You very clearly do not understand how gymnastics works. First, no coach anywhere is going to let parents dictate practice schedule and participation. Practices are highly structured, and missing part of practice means missing requisite instruction. Believe me, gymnastics coaches aren't keeping kids in the gym "just because." There are only so many hours, only so much equipment, and tons and tons of kids. Coaches are masters of schedule juggling and working out what kids get on what events at what time. Practice groups are organized carefully by skill level and fit into this big schedule puzzle.

Second, nothing makes gymnastics coaches scream and tear their hair out like the phrase "He'll practice on his own." No no no no no! One, I have no idea how you think a child is going to practice, say, pommel horse outside of the gym. You just have one of those hanging out in your basement? Second, I can't count the number of kids over the years that come in with sprains and broken bones because they were showing off their skills on the playground, no matter how many times we tell them not to. We invest a lot in not only the proper safety equipment, but teaching the proper skill progressions and always always always being there to assist, provide corrections, take a step back and review previous progressions if something isn't working. And you think your kid can just practice on his own and be okay? Gymnastics is not the trombone.

I've had parents try this. I always tell them that I'm sorry they feel that way and I really like their kid, but clearly this isn't going to work out and I wish them best of luck somewhere else. Imagine 80 kids on the competitive team and each and every one of them has a custom practice schedule. IT DOES NOT WORK. The practice schedule set forth is the one that maximizes what we can get out of practice--the goal is never to be wasting time or have kids there just because. So, sure, if you have concerns about your kid practicing 12 hours a week, ask the coaches. They should be happy to explain why that's necessary. But they're not going to negotiate. You have to decide if you accept their explanation and feel the benefits to your kid outweigh the costs. If you decide not to make that commitment, say thanks and move on. But stop acting like gymnastics coaches, and the parents of gymnasts, are some sort of monsters hellbent of denying kids your narrow definition of childhood.

Whoa, you are a freak lady. Glad the coach dictates your kid's life. That is not how we roll in our family. Not at age 8. But it sounds like there are plenty of pushy parents that are willing to give it up so all the power to them.

[Anonymous]

Don't mean to hijack, but I'm seriously asking those of you (especially females) who did gymnastics for hours growing up if it caused your height growth to be limited. I had a doctor friend tell me that the excessive amount of training (beyond recreational) would cause height to be stunted with young children. I'm wondering because I have a 6 year old daughter who really likes gymnastics - my husband and I can't seem to agree on how much is excessive. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Don't mean to hijack, but I'm seriously asking those of you (especially females) who did gymnastics for hours growing up if it caused your height growth to be limited. I had a doctor friend tell me that the excessive amount of training (beyond recreational) would cause height to be stunted with young children. I'm wondering because I have a 6 year old daughter who really likes gymnastics - my husband and I can't seem to agree on how much is excessive. Thank you!

I don't think my height was stunted - my mom is 5'3" and I'm 5'2". Dad is about 5'11" and my brothers are both at or slightly under his height. My grandmothers were both very short also.

Of course it's always possible that I would have been 5'6" without gymnastics, but I've always been fine with being short.

[Anonymous]

I'm the PP who did gymnastics through college. I'm 5'8". So, no, I don't buy that whole "stunted growth" stuff. I think taller girls tend to drop the sport because it is hard to fit between the bars and deal with a high center of gravity on beam. I only did vault and floor in college where my height was much less of an impediment. The nature of the sport favors shorter people. Just like basketball favors the taller.

[Anonymous]

Gymnastics does not stunt growth. Taller kids tend to drop out because it gets too hard. Shorter, more muscular kids have a lower center of gravity and tend to do better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ok for this pp who was the very serious competitive gymnast as a kid and disliked school, please tell us about your life now. Are you a coach or some kind of trainer?

I found, sadly, that unlike swimming or basketball or softball, gymnastics is something you just can't do recreationally after about 18. So you spent your youth and adolescence that way and now it's gone.

I'm that PP. I did gymnastics through college. I coached competitive gymnastics once I graduated in addition to working full time. I ended up pursuing a masters and taught beginner gymnastics and competed competitively in trampoline and tumbling. Once grad school was done, I stayed with competitive trampoline until I ruptured my ACL at 29. I decided not go back after surgery and reconstruction, but that I was driven far more due to the fact that I live on the Hill and the drive to get the practice was 45 minutes each way. I get my occasional fix by bouncing at the trapeze school. These days, I, who hated school, am working on my PhD. I found by academic passion in college. And that discipline, drive, and pursuit of perfection that made me a great gymnast has served me extremely well in college and graduate schools.

Hi PP - we have a kid (still very young - 3) who is a crazy monkey and I think would love gymnastics. We also live on the Hill. Are there options that are closer than 45 min away?