oncecoolcoachnowmom
Bestest Newbie '14
- Mar 2, 2014
- 7,311
- 19,425
I agree with the posters that talk about choreography weeknot only for the kids but the parents as well. Cp hit her "peak" when she won NCA, her enjoyment of the sport when down after that along with mine. When we told her she would have to take this season off she was initially upset but then said "I don't know if you noticed mom but I'm not very good." This was going to be her 4th season as a level 2 and coupled with a huge growth spurt she was struggling. We offered to keep her in tumbling so she could go back but her interest is now just keeping her bhs so she can do high school cheer and play volleyball for her middle school.
From what I've seen the tween years is when most kids either decide to keep going or quit, for any sport.
As for parent burnout I've been there for the last three years. I miss the days when I didn't know what goes on behind the curtain.
^^^^Yes. There is the FAMILY burn out as well.
Cheer at a higher level, like L5 becomes a serious time commitment (heck, depending on the gym/team, a lower level team is a serious time commitment.)
Lots of late nights, long drives, weekends away at comps, etc.
Another angle: Many times, a child's participation is at the expense of other SIBLINGS' activities or family interests.
Example: Bobby can't play travel soccer because it conflicts with the cheer schedule.
Whole extended family taking a trip to Fiji this summer? Count us out because it's during choreography week.
Aunt Patty doing Disney Cruise? Nope. It's NCA weekend.
Brother wants to be in spring play? Can't swing it because it opens on Worlds weekend.
Summer vacation? Oh we are too poor from cheer.
Mom want to do that book club on Tuesday nights? Too bad because you don't get home from cheer until 10.
Jenny's friends having a sleepover this weekend. Can't go because whole family will be at Majors for Suzie.
You get the point.
It gets hard on whole families to constantly have to make concessions for one family member's activity.
Sometimes, you want your nights, summers, etc. to do other things or allow other kids to have the opportunity to take priority.
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