As a parent of an older child and a former sports coach I have noticed that as cheerleading and sports in general have become an obsession for alot of parents, older kids that have been in a sport for along time are getting burn out and quiting a sport they used to love. What are your thoughts on the win at all costs, pushing kids too hard, picking a gym only for the win, and not caring about if they are having fun mentality. I know winning is important and not winning is no fun but kids are getting hurt and alot of these injuries will affect them for the rest of their lives. Also being told over and over again that that they are not good enough unless they are perfect everytime is not good for their emotional well being. I worry about our daughters being yelled at constantly by men and fear that some of them will grow up to think it's OK to be treated poorly. I have tried to keep it fun and not put to much pressure myself but my daughter has decided not to return to cheer next year and I have noticed that alot of her friends in cheer and other sports feel the same way. They don't want the stress anymore.
My daughter is a senior this year and didn't cheer this year after six years of competitive cheering. She is soooo happy, is getting amazing grades and is working part time as well. Best decision we ever made.
This is something that I am concerned about. My daughter is 7 and she is picking up skills very quickly. She wants to learn more but because of her age she is put on a team that best fits her age. The kids in the team above her are half the size of her. Do I take her to a program where kids are placed by skill level or by age? If by skill level, has anyone heard of an 8 or 9 year old on a level 5 team? Do they put them with seniors at that age? Would my daughter get burnt out?
When you are very competitive and passionate about your team and this sport it can consume your life. I was like that for many years and i absolutely LOVED it. But there does come a point (for some its 3 years others it takes 10-15 years) but there does come a point when you get burnt out. Everyone can have a different explanation for why they feel burnt out but it will happen eventually. And if you take it the right way then it can allow you to be involved in things you didn't have time to before and find something else you're passionate about. Likewise, after taking a break you might realize just how much you miss it....or maybe not. Maybe you realize your time is done and you appreciate the time you did spend in it.
I personally never thought I would get burnt out. And slowly people around me were but I still thought it would never happen to me. Well one day I realized that as much as I still loved it, and as much as I had been passionate before...there was a bit of a spark missing and for the first time in my life it felt OK to hang up the cheer shoes. There's nothing wrong with that because all the good times and lessons learned are still a part of me. While I still miss it I know decisively that I am finished.
It's important not to blame one particular thing for a burn out. It can be a combination of a dozen factors and I think figuring out what ALL the factors are (not just blaming a coach/situation or whatever) can help you figure out more about yourself and how your experience and burn out may effect you in the future.
This is something that I am concerned about. My daughter is 7 and she is picking up skills very quickly. She wants to learn more but because of her age she is put on a team that best fits her age. The kids in the team above her are half the size of her. Do I take her to a program where kids are placed by skill level or by age? If by skill level, has anyone heard of an 8 or 9 year old on a level 5 team? Do they put them with seniors at that age? Would my daughter get burnt out?
At her age I would highly recommend that she is put on a team with kids in her age group. It does not have to hinder her progression at all (tumbling classes, privates) and she will make more friends and have more fun. If you are concerned about her not having the opportunity to perform her skills you could talk to her coach about competing in a stunt group. In my opinion, if she is put on a team that has girls older than she is, she may have a hard time making real friends.
If I were otherwise happy at this current gym, I would not consider making a change over this.
As a coach for 12 years things have changed so much. Now it is all about the win. Parents and coaches push too hard on young kids to be on senior level 5 teams at as soon as they are old enough but not mature enough to handle teenage relationships and issues. There is too much pressure. Let them be kids and enjoy being on a team with kids they can relate to, make friends with, and have fun with. They will be on that senior 5 team soon enough.
im not returning just cuz i want a social life and good grades... but thats just me...
Ok been cheering a LONG time and I have a great social life and great grades. People just need to learn time management. I love going out of town for competitions and often do my homework on the weekends and before cheer practice. I think cheer keeps me on a schedule. I look back and don't regret oen day of cheerleading.
