All-Star Cost? Uniforms? Are We Crazy?

[Cheer Dad]

spoke to a friend, whom I met through hockey, tonight about cheerleading and his comments had nothing to do with cost or uniforms but rather about how far we travel and how much time is invested at practices and competitions for our kids to do a 2 min 30 sec routine.

 

[specialtpass]

People on the outside just never understand. I gave up long ago. After years of doing this I feel my cp is a walking advertisement for Allstars. She's a straight A student, outgoing and physically fit so all negative comments fall short. I've never enjoyed family and friends attending comps. They always come to the poorly run local comp that IMO gives the worst impression. They don't get it and as a result I spend the whole time explaining and being distracted from enjoying my cp. I would much rather enjoy that time with other parents like myself watvhing and discussing cheer. The truth is it's our business where and how we chose to spend our money on our children. My son played soccer and lacrosse and they had their own set of requirements, time etc. It's a double standard that mainstream sports are given a higher regard. In reality very few children will excel to the elite level of a professional athlete. The money and time those parents invest can also be argued as excessive and crazy.

 

[cupieqt]

So funny you posted this! I was just thinking--the girl who gives me the most "poo" about it is my friend who smokes a pack a day, tans, gets her nails done every week, and goes to Starbucks at least once a day (sometimes twice, and no, I'm not exaggerating). I figure her 6-year-old could be on TWO teams for that amount of money!!!

I mean...do we have "extra" money? No. We don't eat out often, we never go to the movies, we have to cut out a lot of things--no Starbucks for me! But each year before the new season starts I ask my kids if they want to quit--and I even say "We would have a LOT more money, so you could do all the extra things you're always bugging me about," and every year they shout "NO WAY!!!!" They love it, and I think it's worth every penny.

I've often see people on here and my other cheer mom friends say that they spend way more time with their kids than "regular moms". I think that's so true. What other 16-year-olds are hopping in the car on Friday evening for an hour long drive with their MOM and baby sister to head over to the gym?

I love you. Will you be my new team mom?

 

[soFIERCE08]

many of my friends never understood why my parents were willing to pay so much for cheer. but my parents always said, "as long as you love it, i have no problem paying." it kept me fit, i made great friends and instilled in me a set of values that i probably wouldn't have learned anywhere else. by far, it was worth every penny!

 

[rosebud]

My daughters have been in all-star cheer since 1st grade and my oldest is now a freshman in high school the other in 7th grade and I couldn't imagine not doing all I could so they could do cheer. It is their life and the friendships they have made are amazing. I love the fact that they have friends from other schools far away (we drive 45 minutes to cheer) but I wouldn't trade it for anything!! Plus the amount of time I get to spend with my kids in the car to/from practice, to/from competitions and especially when we get to go out of state I know what is going on in my kids lives and their friend's lives and in the cheer world!! You can't put a price tag on that quality time spent!! I don't need new clothes, or my nails done...my girls know I am always there to support them no matter what. It is PRICELESS!!!!