All-Star It's Just An Extracurricular Activity!!

[SheCheersIPay]

Okay, it really infuriates me when parents feel like this. It's NOT an individual sport and everybody plays a role. All it takes is for one person to not be there and a stunt doesn't go up or part of the pyramid doesn't go up. Most parents work and have a life outside of cheer, but on practice days you need to make sure your child is at practice. I realize stuff comes up, emergencies happen and sometimes a child has to miss practice. However, if you can't get your child to practice on a regular basis or you "don't feel like it" that to me is a problem. Granted cheerleading isn't the most important thing in the world, but you made a commitment and it effects the other members of the team and it's not fair to the program as a whole for you NOT to be dedicated. I just don't understand why some parents feel like practice is an option. Even though it is an extracurricular sport, it comes with responsibility.

 

[XtremeWpg]

Agree.

Don't worry, it gets worse when you coach adults. Much, much worse. The excuses I hear sometimes baffle me. I have to admit, some of them champ it out though. I had one get all 4 wisdom teeth removed on Friday, and be at practice 4 days later, chipmunk cheeks and all. Others absolutely don't share her level of dedication however.

I try to remember that people have varying levels of dedication to anything they do, whether it's cheerleading or work or family. Thankfully, I don't have teams going for worlds bids, so I try not to let random absences affect me.

Then I get the 2 girls who book a trip to mexico to be away during their first competition...Bless their hearts.

 

[SheCheersIPay]

Agree.

Don't worry, it gets worse when you coach adults. Much, much worse. The excuses I hear sometimes baffle me. I have to admit, some of them champ it out though. I had one get all 4 wisdom teeth removed on Friday, and be at practice 4 days later, chipmunk cheeks and all. Others absolutely don't share her level of dedication however.

I try to remember that people have varying levels of dedication to anything they do, whether it's cheerleading or work or family. Thankfully, I don't have teams going for worlds bids, so I try not to let random absences affect me.

Then I get the 2 girls who book a trip to mexico to be away during their first competition...Bless their hearts.

You're absolutely right the dedication level varies. I just wish these people would grasp the concept of a TEAM SPORT. Everybody is part of the success or the down fall. Dedication starts with parents, from fees, to practice to attitude and behavior! LOL at the trip to Mexico. Yes Bless their hearts indeed.

 

[dawgshow]

Sadly, you're preaching to the choir!

 

[SheCheersIPay]

Sadly, you're preaching to the choir!

Sadly, you're right lol!

 

[mybabywantstotumble]

so you mean i am supposed to get my fluffy self off the couch, pry the remote out of my hands and drive my child to practice EVERY scheduled practice night? even if i don't feel like it? :eek:

 

[SheCheersIPay]

so you mean i am supposed to get my fluffy self off the couch, pry the remote out of my hands and drive my child to practice EVERY scheduled practice night? even if i don't feel like it? :eek:

A. Love the sarcasm hahaha B. yes! I am so sorry you signed your child up for an activity and now expect the magic genie to get them there lol! Hahahaha

 

[5-6-7-8]

It would stop if there people were asked to leave the team.

This is the reason I would LOVE to see all-star prep take off. Give those who want to dabble a team to play on and leave the dedicated ones on a full year team.

 

[Callmeboots]

It took me 3 times reading the title to realize you weren't talking about extraterrestrials...I'm so exhausted hahah :oops:

 

[SheCheersIPay]

It took me 3 times reading the title to realize you weren't talking about extraterrestrials...I'm so exhausted hahah :oops:

Lol!!!!!

 

[Cheer Observer]

Oh boy did you hit a nerve with me on this one, this is often a topic of conversation in our house and with other parents, it's all about commitment levels. I feel like our family goes above and beyond to be sure that the kids are at every practice and competition. We are so adamant about it that some in our family and our friends think we are nuts.
I totally agree, if you miss practice the whole team is affected, stunt groups can't practice and everyone suffers. I can't understand how you can spend the crazy amount of money we do on AS Cheer and decide to skip practices and competitions? If you are not going to be committed to the team and the program then please DON'T SIGN UP. I don't spend thousands of dollars a season for my Son or Daughter to come home from practice totally stressed out and frustrated because their stunt group has not practiced their stunt or pyramid because "insert name here" has not shown up to practice in 2 weeks. I understand that kids/parents are busy, get sick and have other things going on in life but you know your practice and competition days well in advance so it's your job as a Parent to make the adjustments necessary as soon as you sign up. It's not about YOU, it's about the TEAM and the organization...Sorry, I will get off my Soap Box now. ;)

 

[CheerBank]

I think it has a lot to do with the program you are part of and their response to kids missing practices. If athletes are allowed to miss practices, and not having the full team there is acceptable to the coaches, then regardless of your dedication and committment to the sport, the gym has established for the masses what is acceptable behavior. If the gym demands a high level of committment and dedication from their athletes and those who do not follow the attendance policies are actually penalized and/or removed from their teams, then guaranteed you will see a lot less stunt groups or pyramids missing members at practices.

 

[Cheer Observer]

I think it has a lot to do with the program you are part of and their response to kids missing practices. If athletes are allowed to miss practices, and not having the full team there is acceptable to the coaches, then regardless of your dedication and committment to the sport, the gym has established for the masses what is acceptable behavior. If the gym demands a high level of committment and dedication from their athletes and those who do not follow the attendance policies are actually penalized and/or removed from their teams, then guaranteed you will see a lot less stunt groups or pyramids missing members at practices.

I agree for the most part however sometimes the rules apply for some and not for others and that really sends a bad message. Practice is mandatory but some just seem as though they don't care.

 

[SheCheersIPay]

Oh boy did you hit a nerve with me on this one, this is often a topic of conversation in our house and with other parents, it's all about commitment levels. I feel like our family goes above and beyond to be sure that the kids are at every practice and competition. We are so adamant about it that some in our family and our friends think we are nuts.
I totally agree, if you miss practice the whole team is affected, stunt groups can't practice and everyone suffers. I can't understand how you can spend the crazy amount of money we do on AS Cheer and decide to skip practices and competitions? If you are not going to be committed to the team and the program then please DON'T SIGN UP. I don't spend thousands of dollars a season for my Son or Daughter to come home from practice totally stressed out and frustrated because their stunt group has not practiced their stunt or pyramid because "insert name here" has not shown up to practice in 2 weeks. I understand that kids/parents are busy, get sick and have other things going on in life but you know your practice and competition days well in advance so it's your job as a Parent to make the adjustments necessary as soon as you sign up. It's not about YOU, it's about the TEAM and the organization...Sorry, I will get off my Soap Box now. ;)

Couldn't have said it better if I tried!! That's my point exactly. I go above and beyond and it's extremely to watch people do their own thing. Rules are set in place for a reason, I have always wondered how the extremely big programs handle situations like this and do some owners tolerate it because of money.

 

[cupieqt]

Couldn't have said it better if I tried!! That's my point exactly. I go above and beyond and it's extremely to watch people do their own thing. Rules are set in place for a reason, I have always wondered how the extremely big programs handle situations like this and do some owners tolerate it because of money.

I'm the director of a small program and I won't tolerate it. Everyone's allowed 6 absences for the year. If they're in succession (2 weeks in a row--not allowed) then they're removed from the team. Extreme circumstances are considered but I have and will kick kids off for excessive absences.

We ask that everyone be at the same commitment level before they ever sign up. I hold a parent meeting right after tryouts and go over all the financial and time obligations they are to expect. I caution them to NOT accept their position on the team if they have any doubts about meeting those commitments.