Now that WORLDS is over gyms are having their tryouts, gyms are closing, new ones are opening, gyms are merging.....parents maybe looking.
I am a parent that has been browsing for the past couple of weeks. I have my eye on two gyms for my very young daughter. She is 8.75yrs old and is a one skill shy of a lv 4 tumbler. The gym closest to house has a level 2 team that is right for her age, but not for her skill. They also have a team that is a 4/5 team with kids anywhere from 2-4 years older than her. She is young enough to be on the younger team and has the skills and drive to be on the 4/5 team. I'd like for her to get the experience of a 4/5 team since that is the way she is headed. There is a second gym that is 2 hours and 15 mins from our home that has a level 3 team. I'm at a stand still here, I do not know what to do. Should I drive the 2 hours and 15 mins for her to be on the level 3 team? Do I stay closer to home and have her do both teams at the gym close to our house? Here is something to add to my equation. In order for her to be on the 4/5 team at the gym closer to home, she has to be on the lv 2 team as well. It is kind of the deal to let her move up, because she is still young. Something I have to think about is, 2 days and 4 1/2 hours of drive time for cheer or 4 days of practice for less of the drive.
Now that WORLDS is over gyms are having their tryouts, gyms are closing, new ones are opening, gyms are merging.....parents maybe looking.
I am a parent that has been browsing for the past couple of weeks. I have my eye on two gyms for my very young daughter. She is 8.75yrs old and is a one skill shy of a lv 4 tumbler. The gym closest to house has a level 2 team that is right for her age, but not for her skill. They also have a team that is a 4/5 team with kids anywhere from 2-4 years older than her. She is young enough to be on the younger team and has the skills and drive to be on the 4/5 team. I'd like for her to get the experience of a 4/5 team since that is the way she is headed. There is a second gym that is 2 hours and 15 mins from our home that has a level 3 team. I'm at a stand still here, I do not know what to do. Should I drive the 2 hours and 15 mins for her to be on the level 3 team? Do I stay closer to home and have her do both teams at the gym close to our house? Here is something to add to my equation. In order for her to be on the 4/5 team at the gym closer to home, she has to be on the lv 2 team as well. It is kind of the deal to let her move up, because she is still young. Something I have to think about is, 2 days and 4 1/2 hours of drive time for cheer or 4 days of practice for less of the drive.
What do you all think?
Having an 8 going on 9 year old sister my self. I would say 2 teams is too much. My sis is an amazing leve 5 cheerleader and she was on 2 teams this year and it was way to much for her.
What does she want to do? I know she is young, but I think she would benifit from the decision best if she helps make it. Also, will she be pushed too hard on the level 5 team? Will it drive her to not want to do the sport anymore?
So you could ask her- is she in it for fun, or is she in it to win and to be pushed (with that case, getting higher skills but also being on 2 teams)....then that would help make the decision.
My daughter has always been given the option from her gym, be on the older squad because she would be an asset in one position or join the other squad and not lose her tumbling skills.
I have always let her make her own choice as to which team and even double team when asked and ultimately it was her decision. She's had some trial and tribulations, being challenged, not challenged enough, being exposed to older girls conversations (horrible!), and being on squads with girls that would not be serious enough.
Now that WORLDS is over gyms are having their tryouts, gyms are closing, new ones are opening, gyms are merging.....parents maybe looking.
I am a parent that has been browsing for the past couple of weeks. I have my eye on two gyms for my very young daughter. She is 8.75yrs old and is a one skill shy of a lv 4 tumbler. The gym closest to house has a level 2 team that is right for her age, but not for her skill. They also have a team that is a 4/5 team with kids anywhere from 2-4 years older than her. She is young enough to be on the younger team and has the skills and drive to be on the 4/5 team. I'd like for her to get the experience of a 4/5 team since that is the way she is headed. There is a second gym that is 2 hours and 15 mins from our home that has a level 3 team. I'm at a stand still here, I do not know what to do. Should I drive the 2 hours and 15 mins for her to be on the level 3 team? Do I stay closer to home and have her do both teams at the gym close to our house? Here is something to add to my equation. In order for her to be on the 4/5 team at the gym closer to home, she has to be on the lv 2 team as well. It is kind of the deal to let her move up, because she is still young. Something I have to think about is, 2 days and 4 1/2 hours of drive time for cheer or 4 days of practice for less of the drive.
What do you all think?
First the child is 8.5 yrs old....I would just let her be a kid....no pressure. I would NOT drive 2.5 hours just for cheer, JUST to be on a L4/5 team. It's cheer... again..let her be a kid. Let her enjoy cheer, let her perfect her skills, and she will continue to LOVE cheer for years to come. If she was 12 and had the skills of a L4/5 cheerleader, had good grades, and pressured you into driving her 2.5 hours away for cheer practice, then do it.
As for the gym close to home that has a L4/5 and says she has to be ont he L2 inorder to also do the 4/5....that's crap! If it is a senior team...DO NOT do it! She is too young..2nd if it's a junior team...Hmmmm, I would do it, BUT the rule of you have to do both is just plain crap..that is their way of getting more money...... Call the owners bluff!
I know kids who are six, seven and eight years old that have level 4 skills that can barley talk. I would never put them on a squad with older girl's period. The older girl's don't want to babysit while at practice. Young children need to stay with the kids who are in their age group, regardless of the skill. Continue to have the young child take tumbling classes while she competes on the team that right for her age. There is plenty of time to age into a level 4/5 team.
As a gym owner I have not come across any kids that are that young that have level 5 skills. We are not the deep in the talent pool yet. I understand the desire to have your child compete at a higher level, yet she is young and would more then likely enjoy the time with her proper age group. Have you considered having her do individuals to showcase her 4/5 skills while having her take spot on the lower team in her age group. This year with our gym we have a new policy. If you are a 9 year old with a bhs but your aged team will compete level 1, the only way to move up to the next age level would be to have skills two levels higher then what your age level team has to offer. To me this is totally fair.
Of course, your child is rather advanced for her age. I think when deciding you need to make sure that half way through the season you and your child will not get sick of the drive and the late hours. I have seen that happen alot in the past and to burn your child out of cheer at such a young age would be a shame. I do believe that she would enjoy the friendships with the younger girls and technically the time you take to drive to the gym to do two teams would be less taxing then the long drive twice a week. Just some thoughts.
IMHO if your daughter has the maturity level to handle Junior 4/5 right in your back door then go for it. Again it depends on maturity level. My daughter had her double full at the age of 10 and cheered on a Junior 5 team. She had more heart and dedication to the team than some of the older girls. It is within her.
Now that WORLDS is over gyms are having their tryouts, gyms are closing, new ones are opening, gyms are merging.....parents maybe looking.
I am a parent that has been browsing for the past couple of weeks. I have my eye on two gyms for my very young daughter. She is 8.75yrs old and is a one skill shy of a lv 4 tumbler. The gym closest to house has a level 2 team that is right for her age, but not for her skill. They also have a team that is a 4/5 team with kids anywhere from 2-4 years older than her. She is young enough to be on the younger team and has the skills and drive to be on the 4/5 team. I'd like for her to get the experience of a 4/5 team since that is the way she is headed. There is a second gym that is 2 hours and 15 mins from our home that has a level 3 team. I'm at a stand still here, I do not know what to do. Should I drive the 2 hours and 15 mins for her to be on the level 3 team? Do I stay closer to home and have her do both teams at the gym close to our house? Here is something to add to my equation. In order for her to be on the 4/5 team at the gym closer to home, she has to be on the lv 2 team as well. It is kind of the deal to let her move up, because she is still young. Something I have to think about is, 2 days and 4 1/2 hours of drive time for cheer or 4 days of practice for less of the drive.
What do you all think?
First the child is 8.5 yrs old....I would just let her be a kid....no pressure. I would NOT drive 2.5 hours just for cheer, JUST to be on a L4/5 team. It's cheer... again..let her be a kid. Let her enjoy cheer, let her perfect her skills, and she will continue to LOVE cheer for years to come. If she was 12 and had the skills of a L4/5 cheerleader, had good grades, and pressured you into driving her 2.5 hours away for cheer practice, then do it.
As for the gym close to home that has a L4/5 and says she has to be ont he L2 inorder to also do the 4/5....that's crap! If it is a senior team...DO NOT do it! She is too young..2nd if it's a junior team...Hmmmm, I would do it, BUT the rule of you have to do both is just plain crap..that is their way of getting more money...... Call the owners bluff!
I am not ANY owner but very aware of this situation. The rule at the gym is applied consistently not with just this participant. For example, if a boy wants to cheer co-ed 5 and has he skills but is junior age, he MUST compete on his primary team (junior) in order to compete on the secondary team (senior). It is a choice and honor to cheer on the second team. He can just cheer on one team, junior, if he would like.
Likewise, there is a girl that has a full, standing tuck, kickdouble basket etc she is a level 5 cheerleader but is 10. Last season, she was required to compete on the YOUTH team in order to compete on the Sr 5 teams that competed for worlds bids.
Before you start bashing, I won't give my opinion on whether I think this is right or not. My point is, as always, there is another side to the story. She is not being treated any different than others in the gym. So, I wouldn't bother calling the owners bluff it is a rule applied consistently in the gym.
Good luck with YOUR decision and best of luck next season.
Now that WORLDS is over gyms are having their tryouts, gyms are closing, new ones are opening, gyms are merging.....parents maybe looking.
I am a parent that has been browsing for the past couple of weeks. I have my eye on two gyms for my very young daughter. She is 8.75yrs old and is a one skill shy of a lv 4 tumbler. The gym closest to house has a level 2 team that is right for her age, but not for her skill. They also have a team that is a 4/5 team with kids anywhere from 2-4 years older than her. She is young enough to be on the younger team and has the skills and drive to be on the 4/5 team. I'd like for her to get the experience of a 4/5 team since that is the way she is headed. There is a second gym that is 2 hours and 15 mins from our home that has a level 3 team. I'm at a stand still here, I do not know what to do. Should I drive the 2 hours and 15 mins for her to be on the level 3 team? Do I stay closer to home and have her do both teams at the gym close to our house? Here is something to add to my equation. In order for her to be on the 4/5 team at the gym closer to home, she has to be on the lv 2 team as well. It is kind of the deal to let her move up, because she is still young. Something I have to think about is, 2 days and 4 1/2 hours of drive time for cheer or 4 days of practice for less of the drive.
What do you all think?
First the child is 8.5 yrs old....I would just let her be a kid....no pressure. I would NOT drive 2.5 hours just for cheer, JUST to be on a L4/5 team. It's cheer... again..let her be a kid. Let her enjoy cheer, let her perfect her skills, and she will continue to LOVE cheer for years to come. If she was 12 and had the skills of a L4/5 cheerleader, had good grades, and pressured you into driving her 2.5 hours away for cheer practice, then do it.
I agree at her age stay close to home and let her learn there. As she gets older and actually has the mind to make her choices (and not parrot what she hears mommy saying and what she thinks will make mommy happy in her answer) then consider traveling. Good luck!
Now that WORLDS is over gyms are having their tryouts, gyms are closing, new ones are opening, gyms are merging.....parents maybe looking.
I am a parent that has been browsing for the past couple of weeks. I have my eye on two gyms for my very young daughter. She is 8.75yrs old and is a one skill shy of a lv 4 tumbler. The gym closest to house has a level 2 team that is right for her age, but not for her skill. They also have a team that is a 4/5 team with kids anywhere from 2-4 years older than her. She is young enough to be on the younger team and has the skills and drive to be on the 4/5 team. I'd like for her to get the experience of a 4/5 team since that is the way she is headed. There is a second gym that is 2 hours and 15 mins from our home that has a level 3 team. I'm at a stand still here, I do not know what to do. Should I drive the 2 hours and 15 mins for her to be on the level 3 team? Do I stay closer to home and have her do both teams at the gym close to our house? Here is something to add to my equation. In order for her to be on the 4/5 team at the gym closer to home, she has to be on the lv 2 team as well. It is kind of the deal to let her move up, because she is still young. Something I have to think about is, 2 days and 4 1/2 hours of drive time for cheer or 4 days of practice for less of the drive.
What do you all think?
First the child is 8.5 yrs old....I would just let her be a kid....no pressure. I would NOT drive 2.5 hours just for cheer, JUST to be on a L4/5 team. It's cheer... again..let her be a kid. Let her enjoy cheer, let her perfect her skills, and she will continue to LOVE cheer for years to come. If she was 12 and had the skills of a L4/5 cheerleader, had good grades, and pressured you into driving her 2.5 hours away for cheer practice, then do it.
As for the gym close to home that has a L4/5 and says she has to be ont he L2 inorder to also do the 4/5....that's crap! If it is a senior team...DO NOT do it! She is too young..2nd if it's a junior team...Hmmmm, I would do it, BUT the rule of you have to do both is just plain crap..that is their way of getting more money...... Call the owners bluff!
I am not ANY owner but very aware of this situation. The rule at the gym is applied consistently not with just this participant. For example, if a boy wants to cheer co-ed 5 and has he skills but is junior age, he MUST compete on his primary team (junior) in order to compete on the secondary team (senior). It is a choice and honor to cheer on the second team. He can just cheer on one team, junior, if he would like.
Likewise, there is a girl that has a full, standing tuck, kickdouble basket etc she is a level 5 cheerleader but is 10. Last season, she was required to compete on the YOUTH team in order to compete on the Sr 5 teams that competed for worlds bids.
Before you start bashing, I won't give my opinion on whether I think this is right or not. My point is, as always, there is another side to the story. She is not being treated any different than others in the gym. So, I wouldn't bother calling the owners bluff it is a rule applied consistently in the gym.
Good luck with YOUR decision and best of luck next season.
In this lies the problem...... If they had enough kids to fill the Youth team or Jr team, why have them do both? If they are 11, that qualifies them for the Senior team and they have L5 skills and it's ok with the parents to put that child on the senior team, then why make them do both....There are NO rules in the USASF that says you have to both .... This is the owners way of getting extra money. If the child was 8 with all those skills.....I would have to say no, even to a open team.....but 11? your telling me they would have to do both a Jr or youth team in order to do a senior team and they have L5 skills? That is a waste of time and money for the parents and the child. I'm stating a fact!
One thing to remember is team bonding. In my experience with my daughter, the girls on the team like to do team bonding activities (i.e. sleepovers, movie nights, etc.) would you feel comfortable with your 8 year old attending sleepovers with high school girls...who discuss everything. If it's an out of town competition (let's say Anaheim), I know my daughter likes to hang out with her teammates (all in high school) at Disneyland without parents. Your daughter may feel left out or out of place since she will have nothing in common outside the gym with her teammates.
IMO I would place my daughter on a team where she would have things in common with her teammates, where she'll develop strong friendships outside the gym, she'll get to invite her cheer friends to her birthday party. And if her tumbling skills are higher...she'll be the star tumbler...what's wrong with that.
Now that WORLDS is over gyms are having their tryouts, gyms are closing, new ones are opening, gyms are merging.....parents maybe looking.
I am a parent that has been browsing for the past couple of weeks. I have my eye on two gyms for my very young daughter. She is 8.75yrs old and is a one skill shy of a lv 4 tumbler. The gym closest to house has a level 2 team that is right for her age, but not for her skill. They also have a team that is a 4/5 team with kids anywhere from 2-4 years older than her. She is young enough to be on the younger team and has the skills and drive to be on the 4/5 team. I'd like for her to get the experience of a 4/5 team since that is the way she is headed. There is a second gym that is 2 hours and 15 mins from our home that has a level 3 team. I'm at a stand still here, I do not know what to do. Should I drive the 2 hours and 15 mins for her to be on the level 3 team? Do I stay closer to home and have her do both teams at the gym close to our house? Here is something to add to my equation. In order for her to be on the 4/5 team at the gym closer to home, she has to be on the lv 2 team as well. It is kind of the deal to let her move up, because she is still young. Something I have to think about is, 2 days and 4 1/2 hours of drive time for cheer or 4 days of practice for less of the drive.
What do you all think?
First the child is 8.5 yrs old....I would just let her be a kid....no pressure. I would NOT drive 2.5 hours just for cheer, JUST to be on a L4/5 team. It's cheer... again..let her be a kid. Let her enjoy cheer, let her perfect her skills, and she will continue to LOVE cheer for years to come. If she was 12 and had the skills of a L4/5 cheerleader, had good grades, and pressured you into driving her 2.5 hours away for cheer practice, then do it.
As for the gym close to home that has a L4/5 and says she has to be ont he L2 inorder to also do the 4/5....that's crap! If it is a senior team...DO NOT do it! She is too young..2nd if it's a junior team...Hmmmm, I would do it, BUT the rule of you have to do both is just plain crap..that is their way of getting more money...... Call the owners bluff!
I am not ANY owner but very aware of this situation. The rule at the gym is applied consistently not with just this participant. For example, if a boy wants to cheer co-ed 5 and has he skills but is junior age, he MUST compete on his primary team (junior) in order to compete on the secondary team (senior). It is a choice and honor to cheer on the second team. He can just cheer on one team, junior, if he would like.
Likewise, there is a girl that has a full, standing tuck, kickdouble basket etc she is a level 5 cheerleader but is 10. Last season, she was required to compete on the YOUTH team in order to compete on the Sr 5 teams that competed for worlds bids.
Before you start bashing, I won't give my opinion on whether I think this is right or not. My point is, as always, there is another side to the story. She is not being treated any different than others in the gym. So, I wouldn't bother calling the owners bluff it is a rule applied consistently in the gym.
Good luck with YOUR decision and best of luck next season.
In this lies the problem...... If they had enough kids to fill the Youth team or Jr team, why have them do both? If they are 11, that qualifies them for the Senior team and they have L5 skills and it's ok with the parents to put that child on the senior team, then why make them do both....There are NO rules in the USASF that says you have to both .... This is the owners way of getting extra money. If the child was 8 with all those skills.....I would have to say no, even to a open team.....but 11? your telling me they would have to do both a Jr or youth team in order to do a senior team and they have L5 skills? That is a waste of time and money for the parents and the child. I'm stating a fact!
The USASF does not govern how people run their gyms. The rules are there for when you compete.
That aside, in a perfect world what you are saying is true. However, cheer in Northern California is not perfect and no the numbers for the younger teams are not there. However, at this particular gym they are there for the older teams. So, if a younger girl wants to cheer on a Senior team it is an honor not a need. The need is for the younger participants to cheer in an age appropriate division. This will allow the gym to stay stong in the younger categories and hopefully attract more members, then the world would be perfect. For now, this is the decision of the gym. The gym is growing this year and maybe things will change this I am not privy to as a parent or coach it only remains to be seen.
Stay close to home and have fun with the level 2 team that is right for her age. There's more to cheer than just tumbling and she can become even stronger in all the other aspects and become a great all around cheerleader! Continune with tumbling classes and/or privates to keep up the higher level tumbling skills.
I would not do two teams. Your daughter is too young and needs to have a life besides cheer at this age. Her body also needs time to grow and rest without the constant pounding. I think we sometimes forget about that.
I asked my 17 year-old about this. She said definitely do not do two teams. She has helped out with a second team many times, filling in when there was an injury or some other need. It's an honor to be asked, but she says it takes up too much time to do it all season. Let your daughter have fun!
Not sure exactly where you are located but you should find a way to cheer at Pyramids in Concord. They have healthy numbers and are one of the few programs that are able to form their teams with both age and skill level in mind.
Plus, you can't go wrong with the longest lasting program (13 yrs) this side of Dallas.
Now that WORLDS is over gyms are having their tryouts, gyms are closing, new ones are opening, gyms are merging.....parents maybe looking.
I am a parent that has been browsing for the past couple of weeks. I have my eye on two gyms for my very young daughter. She is 8.75yrs old and is a one skill shy of a lv 4 tumbler. The gym closest to house has a level 2 team that is right for her age, but not for her skill. They also have a team that is a 4/5 team with kids anywhere from 2-4 years older than her. She is young enough to be on the younger team and has the skills and drive to be on the 4/5 team. I'd like for her to get the experience of a 4/5 team since that is the way she is headed. There is a second gym that is 2 hours and 15 mins from our home that has a level 3 team. I'm at a stand still here, I do not know what to do. Should I drive the 2 hours and 15 mins for her to be on the level 3 team? Do I stay closer to home and have her do both teams at the gym close to our house? Here is something to add to my equation. In order for her to be on the 4/5 team at the gym closer to home, she has to be on the lv 2 team as well. It is kind of the deal to let her move up, because she is still young. Something I have to think about is, 2 days and 4 1/2 hours of drive time for cheer or 4 days of practice for less of the drive.
What do you all think?
First the child is 8.5 yrs old....I would just let her be a kid....no pressure. I would NOT drive 2.5 hours just for cheer, JUST to be on a L4/5 team. It's cheer... again..let her be a kid. Let her enjoy cheer, let her perfect her skills, and she will continue to LOVE cheer for years to come. If she was 12 and had the skills of a L4/5 cheerleader, had good grades, and pressured you into driving her 2.5 hours away for cheer practice, then do it.
As for the gym close to home that has a L4/5 and says she has to be ont he L2 inorder to also do the 4/5....that's crap! If it is a senior team...DO NOT do it! She is too young..2nd if it's a junior team...Hmmmm, I would do it, BUT the rule of you have to do both is just plain crap..that is their way of getting more money...... Call the owners bluff!
I am not ANY owner but very aware of this situation. The rule at the gym is applied consistently not with just this participant. For example, if a boy wants to cheer co-ed 5 and has he skills but is junior age, he MUST compete on his primary team (junior) in order to compete on the secondary team (senior). It is a choice and honor to cheer on the second team. He can just cheer on one team, junior, if he would like.
Likewise, there is a girl that has a full, standing tuck, kickdouble basket etc she is a level 5 cheerleader but is 10. Last season, she was required to compete on the YOUTH team in order to compete on the Sr 5 teams that competed for worlds bids.
Before you start bashing, I won't give my opinion on whether I think this is right or not. My point is, as always, there is another side to the story. She is not being treated any different than others in the gym. So, I wouldn't bother calling the owners bluff it is a rule applied consistently in the gym.
Good luck with YOUR decision and best of luck next season.
In this lies the problem...... If they had enough kids to fill the Youth team or Jr team, why have them do both? If they are 11, that qualifies them for the Senior team and they have L5 skills and it's ok with the parents to put that child on the senior team, then why make them do both....There are NO rules in the USASF that says you have to both .... This is the owners way of getting extra money. If the child was 8 with all those skills.....I would have to say no, even to a open team.....but 11? your telling me they would have to do both a Jr or youth team in order to do a senior team and they have L5 skills? That is a waste of time and money for the parents and the child. I'm stating a fact!
The USASF does not govern how people run their gyms. The rules are there for when you compete.
That aside, in a perfect world what you are saying is true. However, cheer in Northern California is not perfect and no the numbers for the younger teams are not there. However, at this particular gym they are there for the older teams. So, if a younger girl wants to cheer on a Senior team it is an honor not a need. The need is for the younger participants to cheer in an age appropriate division. This will allow the gym to stay stong in the younger categories and hopefully attract more members, then the world would be perfect. For now, this is the decision of the gym. The gym is growing this year and maybe things will change this I am not privy to as a parent or coach it only remains to be seen.
Now that WORLDS is over gyms are having their tryouts, gyms are closing, new ones are opening, gyms are merging.....parents maybe looking.
I am a parent that has been browsing for the past couple of weeks. I have my eye on two gyms for my very young daughter. She is 8.75yrs old and is a one skill shy of a lv 4 tumbler. The gym closest to house has a level 2 team that is right for her age, but not for her skill. They also have a team that is a 4/5 team with kids anywhere from 2-4 years older than her. She is young enough to be on the younger team and has the skills and drive to be on the 4/5 team. I'd like for her to get the experience of a 4/5 team since that is the way she is headed. There is a second gym that is 2 hours and 15 mins from our home that has a level 3 team. I'm at a stand still here, I do not know what to do. Should I drive the 2 hours and 15 mins for her to be on the level 3 team? Do I stay closer to home and have her do both teams at the gym close to our house? Here is something to add to my equation. In order for her to be on the 4/5 team at the gym closer to home, she has to be on the lv 2 team as well. It is kind of the deal to let her move up, because she is still young. Something I have to think about is, 2 days and 4 1/2 hours of drive time for cheer or 4 days of practice for less of the drive.
What do you all think?
Your daughter is so loved where she is at...stay. Although, you already know my opinion. Like you need to hear it again.
As a mom and former cheer coach for many years please, please, please do not make a 2 1/2 hour drive with an 8 year old for cheer. Too many kids get burn't out in the sport they love by the time they are in high school because they are pushed too hard and too fast. Let her have fun now. Let her push herself at a resonable rate. At a gym so far away she will not be able to attend non gym activities with her teammates and when you are 8 that is important. The drive will kill you both and by this time next year both of you will be burn't out and it will come down to do we still make the drive for years to come, return to our old gym, or quit. No matter what it will be a hard decision. Enjoy your time with your young daughter doing other things besides driving.
As a mom and former cheer coach for many years please, please, please do not make a 2 1/2 hour drive with an 8 year old for cheer. Too many kids get burn't out in the sport they love by the time they are in high school because they are pushed too hard and too fast. Let her have fun now. Let her push herself at a resonable rate. At a gym so far away she will not be able to attend non gym activities with her teammates and when you are 8 that is important. The drive will kill you both and by this time next year both of you will be burn't out and it will come down to do we still make the drive for years to come, return to our old gym, or quit. No matter what it will be a hard decision. Enjoy your time with your young daughter doing other things besides driving.
Good advice...and do one team. Let her have a life outside the gym and be a kid. She has years to come and there are always individuals which is what we did for 3 years until it finally all came together. The money you spend on a 2nd set of of comp fees can go to individuals or privates or GASOLINE!
Stay at the closer gym, see if the coaches will let your daughter do individual cheer. That way she can throw her elite skills and still be a kid on a team that is close.
For now, this is the decision of the gym. The gym is growing this year and maybe things will change this I am not privy to as a parent or coach it only remains to be seen.
