All-Star Competition And Illness

[My3KidsMom]

And lets be real here, when you call the doctor and say my child is sick with a 102 fever they say that's nothing to be alarmed about. I think for the most part a Mother knows if her child is able to push through or if she is just too sick to make it. There is always the exception who is the "psycho cheer parent" who wants to force their child to do it but that's what coaches are for :) Glad she did good and hope she feels better tomorrow!

 

[Katie]

I went to a cheer competition with a stomach virus, i threw up after warm-ups & before we competed, & then after we competed, just leave after she goes on & don't make her stay for awards, i had the same thing cough, fever, missed 5 days of school, on steroids & a nebulizer & did cheer.

 

[kymmied]

4 years ago my daughter was on 2 teams and filled in on a 3rd due to another girl having a broken arm. She was competing at Battle at the Boardwalk - cheer twice in the same day, which meant 6 times for the 3 teams. She had 101 fever but made it through. Motrin before and during the comp. Lots of fluid. She was actually mad at the end of the day that I didn't let her do her "team bonding" sleepover!

 

[gymncheercoach]

And lets be real here, when you call the doctor and say my child is sick with a 102 fever they say that's nothing to be alarmed about. I think for the most part a Mother knows if her child is able to push through or if she is just too sick to make it. There is always the exception who is the "psycho cheer parent" who wants to force their child to do it but that's what coaches are for :) Glad she did good and hope she feels better tomorrow!

If we are going to be 'real' here, then let's be honest too- How many parents are going to then say to the pediatrician- is ok if my daughter competes in an intense all star cheerleading competition?
*hears crickets*
Exactly.
They may say there is nothing to be alarmed about with the fever by itself, but most are going to advise against competing if the child is very young due to what I described in my last post.
Coming from a mother that has two children in the cemetary let me just say that the world is not full of sunshine and rainbows and you are your child's voice- their advocate- and you need to ask yourself if you could live with yourself if your child died due to complications from competing with a high fever. There are so many things that can cause a fever, with or without additional symptoms, besides a cold or flu virus. If you think you can keep your head high by sugar coating it and saying "Oh well I thought it was just the flu or strep, I didn't know it was bla bla bla." If playing dumb works for you- then so be it. It wouldn't work for me- I know better and I understand the responsbility of being a mother.

Situations like this is what gives cheerleading a bad rep.

Parents first, cheer fans second. Be responsible.

 

[Pa Cheer mom]

In the world of all star cheerleading there is no sick day. If she ( and you ) are going to be in this for the long haul you might as well have her understand now, that is she is sick she still needs to perform. My daughter has been cheering for 9 years now and we have had our share of cheering while sick. Everyone outside of the cheer world will think you are crazy for allowing her to perform. I know I have had my own inner battle with OK she is too sick to go to school but not too sick for the competition???I have been in many battles with my own mom on allowing her grand-daughter to compete while sick. The outside people don't understand...there is no one on the bench to jump in if you are not there. Take everyone's advice let her sleep in, bring a blanket, give her something for the fever an hour to an hour and a half before she goes on and after she performs go home!!!! P.S. And a nice little treat on the way home for doing such a great job !!! Good Luck !!

 

[FamUsM0m]

I will admit I am a lucky sun of a gun because my cp has a high immune system due to a skin condition. She doesn't get sick as much as most children do. (trust me-i'm knocking on wood as i type this lol) she's never had the flu, strep, ear infection or anything major. Tiny sniffles, maybe. So needless to say, she has only missed 1 practice in 6 years of cheering and that was due to a school performance and it was weeks before a comp. So my opinion might be a little biased. I feel that unless you are in the hospital you should compete. HOWEVER, I feel that no matter what, it should ALWAYS be at the PARENT'S discretion, not the coaches. We have families that do their part in preventing illness (our gym does too) by using antibacterial hand gel before entering the gym and again after leaving. Another family (because of low immune systems) wear face masks to practice and comps (unless on the floor competing) But prevention is important and should be taken seriously. I'm team mom for my cp's senior team and i had one mom call me the morning of the comp (this past weekend) and tell me that her daughter had stomach pains, vomiting, 102 fever and laying in the fetal position on the floor with a headache and wasn't sure if they were coming. With something like that i TOTALLY understand and was expecting her to say she wasn't coming. Her next statement was "i'm going to pump her full of motrin and we'll see how she does. She will probably still be there" she did end up showing up and looked like nothing was wrong. The team hit the best they ever have and she was SUCH a trooper!! Now, I wouldn't recommend this for a younger girl say between the ages of 5 and 8. But if you are going to allow your child to compete when they are THAT sick, be prepared for the consequences. Don't blame coaches or the team if something goes wrong while your kid is in warm-ups or gets sick on the floor. As a parent, it's your job to know how much is too much for YOUR child.

 

[ufomom]

If we are going to be 'real' here, then let's be honest too- How many parents are going to then say to the pediatrician- is ok if my daughter competes in an intense all star cheerleading competition?
*hears crickets*
Exactly.
They may say there is nothing to be alarmed about with the fever by itself, but most are going to advise against competing if the child is very young due to what I described in my last post.
Coming from a mother that has two children in the cemetary let me just say that the world is not full of sunshine and rainbows and you are your child's voice- their advocate- and you need to ask yourself if you could live with yourself if your child died due to complications from competing with a high fever. There are so many things that can cause a fever, with or without additional symptoms, besides a cold or flu virus. If you think you can keep your head high by sugar coating it and saying "Oh well I thought it was just the flu or strep, I didn't know it was bla bla bla." If playing dumb works for you- then so be it. It wouldn't work for me- I know better and I understand the responsbility of being a mother.

Situations like this is what gives cheerleading a bad rep.

Parents first, cheer fans second. Be responsible.

I actually have had a pediatrician and an orthopedic doctor who actually understood all star cheer. When going in for a problem, there would be a discussion of how to handle an illness/injury if there was a competition or if there wasn't. (Or even if a competition was on the horizon for practice or no practice decisions.) I really appreciated those two doctors. They had both been die hard athletes in sports of their choices and they got it. I am looking again for that perfect doctor who understands the balancing act of child's best interest and a team sport.

 

[newcheerdad]

I actually have had a pediatrician and an orthopedic doctor who actually understood all star cheer. When going in for a problem, there would be a discussion of how to handle an illness/injury if there was a competition or if there wasn't. (Or even if a competition was on the horizon for practice or no practice decisions.) I really appreciated those two doctors. They had both been die hard athletes in sports of their choices and they got it. I am looking again for that perfect doctor who understands the balancing act of child's best interest and a team sport.

That's why I would think that a minimum, if you're going to let a sick kid perform you should at least contact the doctor first to make sure there isn't something more serious going on. Even a moderate fever can be the underlying symptom of a serious disease - think meningitis, for example. And giving someone motrin to bring down the fever doesn't mean the kid's not contagious.

 

[My3KidsMom]

If we are going to be 'real' here, then let's be honest too- How many parents are going to then say to the pediatrician- is ok if my daughter competes in an intense all star cheerleading competition?
*hears crickets*
Exactly.
They may say there is nothing to be alarmed about with the fever by itself, but most are going to advise against competing if the child is very young due to what I described in my last post.
Coming from a mother that has two children in the cemetary let me just say that the world is not full of sunshine and rainbows and you are your child's voice- their advocate- and you need to ask yourself if you could live with yourself if your child died due to complications from competing with a high fever. There are so many things that can cause a fever, with or without additional symptoms, besides a cold or flu virus. If you think you can keep your head high by sugar coating it and saying "Oh well I thought it was just the flu or strep, I didn't know it was bla bla bla." If playing dumb works for you- then so be it. It wouldn't work for me- I know better and I understand the responsbility of being a mother.

Situations like this is what gives cheerleading a bad rep.

Parents first, cheer fans second. Be responsible.

Bad reporting is what gives cheerleading a bad rep, because they only report the "bad" stuff. It seems like there is a little over reacting going on. I don't think anyone would say someone who has a high fever, vomiting, lethargic and all that goes with it should compete. This lady gave the scenario that her child had a fever but with meds was perky and herself, so there would be no harm in competing if this is the situation. You have gone with the extreme case and are now trying to call people out and make them to be bad parents. Contrary to what people may believe Doctors DON'T always know what's best. I have had a doctor roll his eyes and me and get upset with me when I brought my infant son back to the doctor because he was awfully Jaundice looking and have him tell me "we told you it takes 7-10 days to clear up, only to have him blowing my phone up within an hour of leaving from having his blood drawn to have him IMMEDIATELY return to the hospital and within a day begin an exchange transfusion because it was so bad as well as several trips with my youngest son to the ER where they didn't feel like he needed to be and EVERY time he was admitted! I KNOW MY children and I am their biggest supporter either way even if it came down to it and they had to miss a competition!

 

[RSbrittany]

This has happened to me and I was taken out of the routine day of. I was I think 9 but I do have a chronic illness which was flaring up and could barely stand up without passing out. We were also competing outside so better safe than sorry they took me out of the routine don't want me passing out on my bases. My mom was on the phone with my doctor first thing that morning asking about competing. He of course said no :( I stayed at the competition long enough to watch my team then it was a 2 hour car ride straight to the hospital. (My mom tried to take me immediately but I wouldn't leave until I saw my team push through and hit the routine)

 

[gymncheercoach]

That's why I would think that a minimum, if you're going to let a sick kid perform you should at least contact the doctor first to make sure there isn't something more serious going on. Even a moderate fever can be the underlying symptom of a serious disease - think meningitis, for example. And giving someone motrin to bring down the fever doesn't mean the kid's not contagious.

You hit the nail on the head. Exactly what I was going for.

People can be so selfish to not consider others when they are contagious. On our Senior team we had two team member's who each had a parent going through intense radiation treatment for cancer. They couldn't share a bathroom with them at home and bringing a virus like the swine flu or even something minor could be fatal. We were very accommodating as a squad and anyone who was contagious did not attend practice or compete. In addition, I have Lupus and take Prednisone which severely compromises my immune system as well. I think it is highly irresponsible when a parent sends their child to a competition exposing thousands to swine flu. Two years ago we had 4 girls come down with the swine flu and with a lot of work I found 4 replacements who came in and learned the routine a few days prior to nationals. Why risk exposing thousands to swine flu? You may be the cause of someone's grandma or someone else's child's death if your child competes with swine flu or meningitis and exposes them.

If your child is well enough to tough it out- then by all means go for it, fulfill your commitment to the team. However, all of this bragging about competing with contagious illnesses is disgusting, irresponsible, and selfish.

In my first post, I did not by any means say the Original Poster was wrong or a bad parent by having her child compete. She said she was fine by competition day and well monitored. I spoke of the dangers of fevers in young children in GENERAL. The 'you' in my statements are the general 'you' and not to be taken specifically to an individual. I honestly didn't think I would have to clarify that, as to me it is common sense, but apparently I do.

 

[Hibbers]

IMO, I think it is okay to let her compete because it is just 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Let her rest the remainder of the day but let her compete at least the bare minimum, which I'm assuming there are no really intense stunts or tumbling going on for a 6 yr old. I thought about the whole contagious thing and "thinking of the rest of the team", but pulling someone out a day before comp would hurt the team too...if your daughter is contagious then keep her away from the other girls until she absolutely has to be near them, aka during the performance. If it's just a fever and cough then she should be fine. I competed Jamfest Nationals with pneumonia and I lived lol. I just basically laid down all day until warm up time and comp time, then went back to lounging. She shoudl do the same..rest up, fluids, etc etc. Seems like an okay situation to me

 

[Just-a-Mom]

You hit the nail on the head. Exactly what I was going for.

People can be so selfish to not consider others when they are contagious. On our Senior team we had two team member's who each had a parent going through intense radiation treatment for cancer. They couldn't share a bathroom with them at home and bringing a virus like the swine flu or even something minor could be fatal. We were very accommodating as a squad and anyone who was contagious did not attend practice or compete. In addition, I have Lupus and take Prednisone which severely compromises my immune system as well. I think it is highly irresponsible when a parent sends their child to a competition exposing thousands to swine flu. Two years ago we had 4 girls come down with the swine flu and with a lot of work I found 4 replacements who came in and learned the routine a few days prior to nationals. Why risk exposing thousands to swine flu? You may be the cause of someone's grandma or someone else's child's death if your child competes with swine flu or meningitis and exposes them.

If your child is well enough to tough it out- then by all means go for it, fulfill your commitment to the team. However, all of this bragging about competing with contagious illnesses is disgusting, irresponsible, and selfish.

In my first post, I did not by any means say the Original Poster was wrong or a bad parent by having her child compete. She said she was fine by competition day and well monitored. I spoke of the dangers of fevers in young children in GENERAL. The 'you' in my statements are the general 'you' and not to be taken specifically to an individual. I honestly didn't think I would have to clarify that, as to me it is common sense, but apparently I do.

Oh my gosh. You just summed up my whole attitude on illness in general in one post. Not just for cheer, but school, work, etc. I get so upset when people brag that they've never missed school, work, or a comp for illness. Especially when it's something highly contagious and something that can be deadly to some people.

Of course I understand that this is probably not the case here. The mother said the Motrin was working and appeared to make the fever go down and the child appears to be fine. And more than likely this child does not have something horrible like swine flu. But for the record, my daughter just got over H3N2, which is a variation of swine flu. She had a fever for a few days, and with Motrin was absolutely fine--and very able to run around and play. Did I let her out of the house before her dr. OK'd it? No way. So I don't think it would have been too much to ask for a quick visit to the dr. to verify that it's not something serious before you exposed thousands of people to it. (And before everyone jumps on me that not everyone can afford to run to the dr. every time their kid has a fever...if you can afford allstar cheer, you can afford a dr.!)

Like someone stated earlier--the reason the school says to stay home when you have a fever is NOT because the school thinks you're just too sick to sit at your desk and learn. It's because you're contagious, and they don't want you spreading your germs all over the building! I wish people would stop always trying to be the martyr ("Oh, the whole world will fall off its axis if I stay home for a day! I have NEVER stayed in bed sick!") and try to NOT make other people sick.

I understand the commitment of cheer--my daughters have competed with broken nose, sprained ankle, etc. But contagious disease is totally different to me.

 

[Just-a-Mom]

IMO, I think it is okay to let her compete because it is just 2 minutes and 30 seconds. Let her rest the remainder of the day but let her compete at least the bare minimum, which I'm assuming there are no really intense stunts or tumbling going on for a 6 yr old. I thought about the whole contagious thing and "thinking of the rest of the team", but pulling someone out a day before comp would hurt the team too...if your daughter is contagious then keep her away from the other girls until she absolutely has to be near them, aka during the performance. If it's just a fever and cough then she should be fine. I competed Jamfest Nationals with pneumonia and I lived lol. I just basically laid down all day until warm up time and comp time, then went back to lounging. She shoudl do the same..rest up, fluids, etc etc. Seems like an okay situation to me

But the whole "contagious thing" isn't really just about hurting the team. It's the THOUSANDS of other people there too. You don't have to touch someone to give them something like swine flu. All you have to do is breathe--which I would assume someone at a competition would be doing, even while "resting and drinking fluids".

(***And yes, I'm aware that no one has said this little girl had the flu. But no one said she didn't either. All I'm saying is quick trip to the dr. BEFORE competition would eliminate all this worry)

 

[lifeoftheparty]

First let me say I am so sorry for your losses, truly a parents worst nightmare. When I said I (and I know you aren't singling me out per se) let my child compete short of hospitalization. What I mean is there is alot I would still sent her to competition for. She had strep and was on abx for over 24 hours and was no longer contagious. Although I am not a physician I am in the medical field and do know how to properly assess my child and look for warning signs, and take her to the dr as needed and get clearance as well. For the record she did have clearance to compete. Would I send her with H1N1, after short recovery with mono, high fever, HECK NO. But a low grade fever, cold. YES I would. I do understand the contagious factor I have a chronically ill child who gets very sick if someone even thinks about sneezing next to him. It does infuriate me when parents carelessly send their child to school sick. Everyone knows their child and whether or not they can pull through it if they truy can not , or it is questionable dont do it.

You hit the nail on the head. Exactly what I was going for.

People can be so selfish to not consider others when they are contagious. On our Senior team we had two team member's who each had a parent going through intense radiation treatment for cancer. They couldn't share a bathroom with them at home and bringing a virus like the swine flu or even something minor could be fatal. We were very accommodating as a squad and anyone who was contagious did not attend practice or compete. In addition, I have Lupus and take Prednisone which severely compromises my immune system as well. I think it is highly irresponsible when a parent sends their child to a competition exposing thousands to swine flu. Two years ago we had 4 girls come down with the swine flu and with a lot of work I found 4 replacements who came in and learned the routine a few days prior to nationals. Why risk exposing thousands to swine flu? You may be the cause of someone's grandma or someone else's child's death if your child competes with swine flu or meningitis and exposes them.

If your child is well enough to tough it out- then by all means go for it, fulfill your commitment to the team. However, all of this bragging about competing with contagious illnesses is disgusting, irresponsible, and selfish.

In my first post, I did not by any means say the Original Poster was wrong or a bad parent by having her child compete. She said she was fine by competition day and well monitored. I spoke of the dangers of fevers in young children in GENERAL. The 'you' in my statements are the general 'you' and not to be taken specifically to an individual. I honestly didn't think I would have to clarify that, as to me it is common sense, but apparently I do.

But the whole "contagious thing" isn't really just about hurting the team. It's the THOUSANDS of other people there too. You don't have to touch someone to give them something like swine flu. All you have to do is breathe--which I would assume someone at a competition would be doing, even while "resting and drinking fluids".

(***And yes, I'm aware that no one has said this little girl had the flu. But no one said she didn't either. All I'm saying is quick trip to the dr. BEFORE competition would eliminate all this worry)