All-Star I Wish The Cheerleading Industry Was Like It Was When I First Started...

[Cheerfan1234]

Let's be honest, every cheerleader has the dream of winning a worlds ring or maybe an NCA jacket. Parents spend thousands of dollars every year in gym fees, travel fees, privates etc. if that cheerleader feels they have what it takes to be part of that dream but their current gym will not get them there, as difficult as it maybe, they have a right to leave. Loyalty should play no part or used to guilt a child into staying. Unfortunately, larger successful gyms draw talent. They can feed their level 5 teams with skilled athletes from lower teams. I personally like what smaller gyms have to offer my child but I am not sure how I will feel when she is older and more skilled.

Let's be honest, every cheerleader has the dream of winning a worlds ring or maybe an NCA jacket. Parents spend thousands of dollars every year in gym fees, travel fees, privates etc. If that cheerleader feels they have what it takes to be part of that dream but their current gym will not get them there, as difficult as it maybe, they have a right to leave.
I agree. Sometimes athletes outgrow their gyms and have to make the difficult decision to leave, or they just leave because they're unhappy. There's no harm in doing this. But since we're being honest, sometimes mom convinces her child to leave because mom's dreams of living vicariously through her child are greater than the child's own desire to win. Who is this really about then?

In many instances (espcecially in May, national Crazy Cheer Mom Month), mom sometimes thinks child is more talented than he/she is and has unrealistic expectations from coaches/trainers.
Ex.) Suzy eats the mat on a triple toe tuck at two major events, but a few weeks later mom is upset that Suzy isn't working a standing full during the week of tryouts. Mom takes Suzy to larger gym with many level 5 athletes because current gym is "holding her back."

Loyalty should play no part...
If the child is truly unhappy (the child, not you), then I completely agree.
But herein lies the problem as stated in my original post. If the child is treated well, if the child is progressing, if the child has made good friends, and if the child is happy, what reason is there NOT to be loyal to a program that has been good to your kid? A jacket and a globe?