All-Star Best Advice...ya Get One..:)

[tumbleyoda]

Remember that this is your child's sport; not yours. It is their time to shine, not yours. Be a parent and not a coach. Support them; encourage them - but don't coach them.

If you have questions, please schedule an appointment for an appropriate time. Discuss in a mature manner any issues or concerns without attacking the coach, staff, gym, other parents or athletes.

Remember that your CP shares a team with many other kids. It is a team effort and never solely an individual effort.

Dont scout your CP's competition on YouTube, Fierceboard or whatever and them tell your CP or the Coach what they need to "beat" that team. That is the Coach's job.

If you decide to leave your current gym for whatever reason, please keep it positive in your communication with the new gym, staff, and parents. It always gets back to the old gym anyhow. Somebody will always see to that. And you just may have to walk back across that bridge.

 

[PullandPray23]

have you seen dance moms..yeah just do the opposite, and you'll be golden

 

[Angelica]

Please be understanding if your daughter is changed from a flyer to a base. Not everyone needs to fly!

 

[mecheermom]

Don't get caught up in "cheer mama drama"! There is some at every gym, and always some one trying to start it. Some parents do and say crazy things when it comes to their children. Just stay far far away! Nod and smile and move on! It's what is best for you and your CP.

Amen! I was going to post this!!

 

[cupieqt]

Realize that ALL those incomplete practices when Sally had to miss for her birthday and then Suzie had to miss for her brothers graduation party and then Stacy had to miss for her boyfriends football game add up to 18/20 hours of incomplete practices. Meaning that the team got to practice full out only one time in a month.
And realize that you don't get to complain about it bc your little Sammy had to miss the month before for an orthodontist appointment---but THAT was important.

 

[ctgatormom]

i can't shimmy that enough. i wish my parents had a quarter of the support, encouragement and involvement that i see from parents like @Mamarazzi @Just-a-Mom @Level5Mom @SharkDad @ACEDAD @lakerfantlc @Mclovin @ctgatormom and the list goes on. i envy all of your CPs, and I hope they realize just how incredible you are for supporting them in what they love as much as you do.

Awww...Thanks soo much:) After about 6 years as a cheer mom the best advice I can give is to be there for YOUR child..always!! No matter what! There will be many tough comps/practices in this sport. Oh and DO NOT get involved in coaching desicions and DO NOT push your child! I have seen this way too much in this sport. Not everyone is the best at everything. I have always made a point to tell my daughter to focus on what she is great at and not dwell on the other stuff...and always remember that above all this is supposed to be FUN!!

 

[cupieqt]

have you seen dance moms..yeah just do the opposite, and you'll be golden

hahaha right on!

 

[VTX]

NEVER yell at your child in/across the gym because they aren't throwing something or doing something right. Sometimes kids have a bad day and if it really is them not trying the coach will know and deal with it, if it's something you need to know about the coach WILL tell you. Yelling at them across the gym only 1. embarrasses them and 2. if there having a bad practice makes them feel even worse and will probably make the problem bigger.
BE SUPPORTIVE! They'll thank you latter ;)

 

[cheerisgood]

learn early on that the people that proclaim to hate drama, are typically the ones starting it!!

 

[King]

Cheerleading is a process. Do not fret if you are not there today. Work hard, practice, train... and in time you will get there.

(that is advice to athletes, coaches, AND parents)

 

[MNCheerMom]

Parents: Share positive feedback with your gym owner and coaches every once in a while. No, you don't have to kiss butt, but they are used to fielding complaints from "Susie's Mom" probably more often than parents realize. A simple "thank you for doing a nice job" every once in a while goes a long way.

 

[lakerfantlc]

Parents: Share positive feedback with your gym owner and coaches every once in a while. No, you don't have to kiss butt, but they are used to fielding complaints from "Susie's Mom" probably more often than parents realize. A simple "thank you for doing a nice job" every once in a while goes a long way.

agree...and our gym owner is always posting how proud and great her kids and families are....kindness goes miles!!!

 

[ChelleShocked]

Remember that you are paying the gym to coach your child. If you are in a situation where your child is being belittled, put down, etc., don't put up with it. It WILL hurt your CPs self-esteem, whether you see if right away or not. Not all gyms are coached the same. Find one that truly makes your child happy.

I agree 100%. At the same time, though, realize that coaches sometimes have to use a little "tough love". There might be times when we criticize your cp for not keeping her legs together on her double down, or make your cp condition for bailing out of a tumbling pass. That will make them better. But I have heard of (never personally experienced) coaches telling a girl she's too heavy, a terrible cheerleader, shouldn't even be on the team, etc. and THAT's when you need to get out of that situation.

 

[MyDaughterCheers]

ChelleShocked, I'm not talking about "tough love". To me, that is coaching. I'm talking about actually putting a child down - you suck, you're fat, you're the worst one on the team, you're tumbling is awful, you have no business being here, etc.

 

[cupieqt]

ChelleShocked, I'm not talking about "tough love". To me, that is coaching. I'm talking about actually putting a child down - you suck, you're fat, you're the worst one on the team, you're tumbling is awful, you have no business being here, etc.

You guys are def in agreement then. Good deal