I will admit, I have caught myself being the insane cheer mom. Caught up in the drama, and pushing my daughter. I never meant to push her for anything other than to see her try. I know my daughter and I know when she wants something, she has an insatiable determination, when she doesn't feel like it, she doesn't bother. I expect her to at least try, even when she's "not in the mood". She's young (9) but very intelligent, and can see what's happening, even if her emotions don't match. Her and I have discussed things when I stepped back and realized how it seemed to her. We've come to an understanding-I keep myself in check and she'll do her best to give her best effort. We have seen both ends of the spectrum-girls who want it so bad, but parents couldn't care less, and those who like to cheer, but their parents push and push and push until them until they end up miserable and anxiety ridden. I never want my daughter to resent me like that. I WILL always be that mom with the huge sign, bow in hair, chanting the loudest at competitions, but I will never, nor have ever, chastise her because she made a mistake. My cp does love the fact that I'm embarrassing in that way-I've been told by her that she looks for my sign, it's helps her feel supported. Bottom line is this-I think there's a good crazy and then pageant mom (or dad) crazy. As long as your cp feels it's benefitting them, then continue doing it. They're the whole reason you're there in the first place! If they don't like it, or they're only getting stressed, then things need to change-and parents need to realize sometimes it's THEM who has to change, just like I did.
