Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:Gymnastics is a scam. No girl with a typically developing body can go very far in the sport, but greedy organizers will take your money and suck up all your time until puberty hits. If you're going to force a sport, pick one that works with normally developing bodies of all types. Track and field, soccer, swim, etc. You can't always predict how children will grow.

Meh. I am 5’2 and my daughter is petite. Our options are limited. The short girls can have one sport.

Huh? Plenty of short kids excel in soccer, lacrosse, softball… the best kid on our baseball team is the shortest.

What age is the best kid on the baseball team the shortest? Guaranteed you're not talking about high school for any of these sports. There is a huge disadvantage to being a late blooming boy. This is well known.

The kids are 10. The OP is asking about a 9 year old and this is the elementary age forum.

At this age you shouldn’t limit your kid’s athletic pursuits based on height. Let them try different things.

Ok. I did, and my destined to be short 10 yr old chose gymnastics. She didn't like softball, soccer, dance, or swimming. That doesn't mean she doesn't have a normally developing body or that it will be a shock that she's not 5'7". It also should be a shock that a 5'9" mom and 6'4" dad have a daughter that might be too tall for gymnastics. That doesn't make gymnastics and inherently bad sport anymore than basketball will probably not be in my daughters future, not that she even wants to try it beyond one season when she complained about going.

Haha, the second case was us! Our poor DD absolutely LOVED gymnastics but we had to gently steer her away and t’get her interested in sports like basketball and volleyball. She is 12 and on track to be 6 feet.

That being said, gymnastics is great and I don’t understand why so many people sh!t all over youth sports unless they’re going to go pro. Can’t the love of gymnastics be enough while it lasts?

Because most youth sports are a giant money sucking scam. Not all of them, but it sure seems like the majority of kidsports parents I know are being fleeced for the big bucks, while their families' limited free time is stolen by sports practice and toruneys and hours long drives. And none of them are going to be elite athletes. Sorry but I don't think that is a model of healthy athleticism.

What’s not healthy about it if the kids are having fun? It’s not about being elite athletes for many, it’s just an active, social and fun way to experience childhood.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gymnastics is a scam. No girl with a typically developing body can go very far in the sport, but greedy organizers will take your money and suck up all your time until puberty hits. If you're going to force a sport, pick one that works with normally developing bodies of all types. Track and field, soccer, swim, etc. You can't always predict how children will grow.

Meh. I am 5’2 and my daughter is petite. Our options are limited. The short girls can have one sport.

Huh? Plenty of short kids excel in soccer, lacrosse, softball… the best kid on our baseball team is the shortest.

What age is the best kid on the baseball team the shortest? Guaranteed you're not talking about high school for any of these sports. There is a huge disadvantage to being a late blooming boy. This is well known.

The kids are 10. The OP is asking about a 9 year old and this is the elementary age forum.

At this age you shouldn’t limit your kid’s athletic pursuits based on height. Let them try different things.

Ok. I did, and my destined to be short 10 yr old chose gymnastics. She didn't like softball, soccer, dance, or swimming. That doesn't mean she doesn't have a normally developing body or that it will be a shock that she's not 5'7". It also should be a shock that a 5'9" mom and 6'4" dad have a daughter that might be too tall for gymnastics. That doesn't make gymnastics and inherently bad sport anymore than basketball will probably not be in my daughters future, not that she even wants to try it beyond one season when she complained about going.

Haha, the second case was us! Our poor DD absolutely LOVED gymnastics but we had to gently steer her away and t’get her interested in sports like basketball and volleyball. She is 12 and on track to be 6 feet.

That being said, gymnastics is great and I don’t understand why so many people sh!t all over youth sports unless they’re going to go pro. Can’t the love of gymnastics be enough while it lasts?

Because most youth sports are a giant money sucking scam. Not all of them, but it sure seems like the majority of kidsports parents I know are being fleeced for the big bucks, while their families' limited free time is stolen by sports practice and toruneys and hours long drives. And none of them are going to be elite athletes. Sorry but I don't think that is a model of healthy athleticism.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gymnastics is a scam. No girl with a typically developing body can go very far in the sport, but greedy organizers will take your money and suck up all your time until puberty hits. If you're going to force a sport, pick one that works with normally developing bodies of all types. Track and field, soccer, swim, etc. You can't always predict how children will grow.

Meh. I am 5’2 and my daughter is petite. Our options are limited. The short girls can have one sport.

Huh? Plenty of short kids excel in soccer, lacrosse, softball… the best kid on our baseball team is the shortest.

What age is the best kid on the baseball team the shortest? Guaranteed you're not talking about high school for any of these sports. There is a huge disadvantage to being a late blooming boy. This is well known.

The kids are 10. The OP is asking about a 9 year old and this is the elementary age forum.

At this age you shouldn’t limit your kid’s athletic pursuits based on height. Let them try different things.

Ok. I did, and my destined to be short 10 yr old chose gymnastics. She didn't like softball, soccer, dance, or swimming. That doesn't mean she doesn't have a normally developing body or that it will be a shock that she's not 5'7". It also should be a shock that a 5'9" mom and 6'4" dad have a daughter that might be too tall for gymnastics. That doesn't make gymnastics and inherently bad sport anymore than basketball will probably not be in my daughters future, not that she even wants to try it beyond one season when she complained about going.

Haha, the second case was us! Our poor DD absolutely LOVED gymnastics but we had to gently steer her away and t’get her interested in sports like basketball and volleyball. She is 12 and on track to be 6 feet.

That being said, gymnastics is great and I don’t understand why so many people sh!t all over youth sports unless they’re going to go pro. Can’t the love of gymnastics be enough while it lasts?

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/2024/01/22/70-of-kids-drop-out-of-youth-sports-by-13-new-aap-study-reveals-why/72310189007/

70% of kids will drop out by 13. It doesn't really matter which sport anyone picks. The odds of being a stand out, playing professionally, getting a scholarship are infinitesimally low. Just let them pick and have fun.

My kid tried lots of things and choose gymnastics for herself. I’m happy to have her do whatever she loves, whether it be dance, soccer, gymnastics, or anything else.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gymnastics is a scam. No girl with a typically developing body can go very far in the sport, but greedy organizers will take your money and suck up all your time until puberty hits. If you're going to force a sport, pick one that works with normally developing bodies of all types. Track and field, soccer, swim, etc. You can't always predict how children will grow.

Agree. It’s so dumb. But why do the vast majority of moms following the dumb line to gymnastics/competitive dance? Nearly all moms are lining up to enroll their kid at 3. Is it seen at the feminine ideal sport? Really, what is it?

Cheer, dance are feminine and the boys like that more.

V ball and tennis are also appropriately feminine. The outfits are agreeable and attractive too.

Just ask anyone in the south. Cheer, dance, gymnastics, vball, or tennis are where it’s att. Then go marry the best baseball boy who goes pro.

I mean…seems true. Seems like most moms are in line to enroll their daughter in dance and/or gymnastics the second they are old enough.

You realize that options are limited for 3-4 yr old girls right? There isn't a volleyball or lacrosse team for them. They might find a co-ed t-ball team but again, there isn't that much so that's where it starts.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gymnastics is a scam. No girl with a typically developing body can go very far in the sport, but greedy organizers will take your money and suck up all your time until puberty hits. If you're going to force a sport, pick one that works with normally developing bodies of all types. Track and field, soccer, swim, etc. You can't always predict how children will grow.

Meh. I am 5’2 and my daughter is petite. Our options are limited. The short girls can have one sport.

Huh? Plenty of short kids excel in soccer, lacrosse, softball… the best kid on our baseball team is the shortest.

What age is the best kid on the baseball team the shortest? Guaranteed you're not talking about high school for any of these sports. There is a huge disadvantage to being a late blooming boy. This is well known.

The kids are 10. The OP is asking about a 9 year old and this is the elementary age forum.

At this age you shouldn’t limit your kid’s athletic pursuits based on height. Let them try different things.

Ok. I did, and my destined to be short 10 yr old chose gymnastics. She didn't like softball, soccer, dance, or swimming. That doesn't mean she doesn't have a normally developing body or that it will be a shock that she's not 5'7". It also should be a shock that a 5'9" mom and 6'4" dad have a daughter that might be too tall for gymnastics. That doesn't make gymnastics and inherently bad sport anymore than basketball will probably not be in my daughters future, not that she even wants to try it beyond one season when she complained about going.

Anonymous wrote:No. We don't let our kids do team sports for this reason. A third grader doing 12 hours a week and traveling? No.

You don’t let them do team sports? Poor them. I understand if a kid doesn’t want to play or if it places too much of a financial strain on your family but to not alllow it seems mean.

Hi OP, I think your post has gone off the rails a little, with tons of people shooting off on tangents.

Your question of “Is it too much?” is so personal. For lots of families, yes, absolutely. For our family, both daughters are competitive gymnasts and my son does two sports. DH and I have talked about whether or not it’s too much for our kids, but honestly when they’re at home they’d just be playing Roblox. Gymnastics practice is also a big social time for them — they form a strong friend group with their training groups, so they end up spending more in person time hanging out with friends then lots of other kids. Also, gymnastics is fun. My girls love it. My younger one also does other rec sports, but gymnastics is what she is passionate about.

As for whether or not it’s too much for the cost aspect…that is completely personal too. I would not do it if we couldn’t afford it but yes, it’s a lot of money and more than lots of other sports.

There is also Xcel vs Developmental Program. You have the option of going to Xcel where you practice fewer hours and have the option of not going to travel meets. At our gym, the DP girls had one big travel meet a season and then all the other ones are drivable. And it’s only 5-7 meets a year.

We have a 10 year old relative in the gym about 24 hours/week (in the south, not DC). She is also on a “special” diet and has lost a significant amount of weight over the past year. There are many comments at meals about her eating, what she can’t eat, etc. She is a fantastic gymnast (obviously) but it’s like watching a slow motion train wreck. I don’t think any sport comes close to this for kids so young.

For gymnastics I’d do it. She will likely burn out but there is a small time window for that sport. Also, the level of dedication, mental strength, and physical growth she’ll be investing in should pay major dividends as she grows older. Granted, you have to be on your guard for signs of it going off the rails, as we know it can do. But I’d definitely let her try it and see how she handles the new challenge.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gymnastics is a scam. No girl with a typically developing body can go very far in the sport, but greedy organizers will take your money and suck up all your time until puberty hits. If you're going to force a sport, pick one that works with normally developing bodies of all types. Track and field, soccer, swim, etc. You can't always predict how children will grow.

Meh. I am 5’2 and my daughter is petite. Our options are limited. The short girls can have one sport.

Huh? Plenty of short kids excel in soccer, lacrosse, softball… the best kid on our baseball team is the shortest.

What age is the best kid on the baseball team the shortest? Guaranteed you're not talking about high school for any of these sports. There is a huge disadvantage to being a late blooming boy. This is well known.

The kids are 10. The OP is asking about a 9 year old and this is the elementary age forum.

At this age you shouldn’t limit your kid’s athletic pursuits based on height. Let them try different things.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gymnastics is a scam. No girl with a typically developing body can go very far in the sport, but greedy organizers will take your money and suck up all your time until puberty hits. If you're going to force a sport, pick one that works with normally developing bodies of all types. Track and field, soccer, swim, etc. You can't always predict how children will grow.

Agree. It’s so dumb. But why do the vast majority of moms following the dumb line to gymnastics/competitive dance? Nearly all moms are lining up to enroll their kid at 3. Is it seen at the feminine ideal sport? Really, what is it?

Cheer, dance are feminine and the boys like that more.

V ball and tennis are also appropriately feminine. The outfits are agreeable and attractive too.

Just ask anyone in the south. Cheer, dance, gymnastics, vball, or tennis are where it’s att. Then go marry the best baseball boy who goes pro.

Anonymous wrote:Your kid has a better chance of becoming a doctor than a recruited athlete.

Not mine.

Anonymous wrote:Start with the end in mind. Where can (or do you want) you kid to go with this sport?

I say this as an olympic level athlete who chose college over the olympics because there was no future in women’s sports in the 90s. So for my kids, who are older now - this was a hard no. Had they wanted to do this in high school, I probably would have been supportive.

I doubt it. There didn’t have to be a future in women’s sports for you to be an Olympic athlete. Once the Olympics is over you start your adult life. You attend college. Unless you weren’t a definite then it’s a tough choice.