Anonymous wrote:

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Parents need to wake up and realize that this is their money and their kids. If parents are out pf control, programs should get rid of those families. Most parents know boundaries. Closed practices...not on my dime.

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Not on your dime. Not many other sports do you see other parents just hanging out. Why do you want to spend 2 hours at the gym doing nothing but sitting there. You are probably one of those parents who complain about not having anytime, when you can do something instead of sitting on your butt. Get a life, not your childs!

Anonymous wrote:

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Another reason for parents NOT to be at practice is they form biased and jaded opinions on what they think has happened. Nobody wants or needs their version. They are not a coach and not qualified to tell anyone else who did what wrong or right. Don't get me wrong, parents are supportive and do much for programs, but they should find something else to occupy their time. Not sure how all these parents find the time to just hang out, but give some of that time to me.

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Those dang parents don't they have anything better to do...  Like work full time, make dinner, drop off thier other kids to football practice, Karate, and drive and hour to take thier little cheerleader to practice.  Then to have the nerve to just sit there like they have nothing else to occupy their time.  Darn them!!!

It is just the nature of people to talk about whats in front of their face. Plus the kids don't focus on the coach, they focus on their mom telling them they better hit it on their breaks. I have parents asking their kids to throw more tumbling after class is done. And your right, you don't have to pay for the right to have closed practices, just don't enroll your child in that program, join a high school cheer team. I really don't see their parents watching ever.

It sounds like to me that you need to wrest control of your program or gym.   Mishaving parents sound like the least of your worries.

Anonymous wrote:

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Wow - our gym has never had closed practices. Some families drive far so it's nice to have a place to sit, relax, see how the team is progressing, bond with the other parents, etc. Some parents knit or work on their laptops, read a book, etc. I think there's only been a couple "drama moments" when a parent had to be spoken to for disrupting a practice. I think the majority of the kids love to have a parent watching and supporting. Even with my daughter in high school and driving to practice on her own, I occassionally stop by to watch a practice every now and then and she loves it. She gives me a small wink or smile to let me know she's happy I'm there to support her.

I think only a couple kids get tense when their parents watch, and those instances are dealt with individually. Since parents come to the competitions anyways, it's usually good to deal with those issues during practice rather than on the competition floor.

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 Wake up, wake up, you must be dreaming. Shake those unicorns out your head. Parents in the gym equals trouble. Stop blowing sushine, on those rare times when you have to step in the haters are always in motion the volume might be down but they still go at it. Picture this my hell would be trapped in the parent room with some long term cheer moms.

 

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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Wow - our gym has never had closed practices. Some families drive far so it's nice to have a place to sit, relax, see how the team is progressing, bond with the other parents, etc. Some parents knit or work on their laptops, read a book, etc. I think there's only been a couple "drama moments" when a parent had to be spoken to for disrupting a practice. I think the majority of the kids love to have a parent watching and supporting. Even with my daughter in high school and driving to practice on her own, I occassionally stop by to watch a practice every now and then and she loves it. She gives me a small wink or smile to let me know she's happy I'm there to support her.

I think only a couple kids get tense when their parents watch, and those instances are dealt with individually. Since parents come to the competitions anyways, it's usually good to deal with those issues during practice rather than on the competition floor.

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 Wake up, wake up, you must be dreaming. Shake those unicorns out your head. Parents in the gym equals trouble. Stop blowing sushine, on those rare times when you have to step in the haters are always in motion the volume might be down but they still go at it. Picture this my hell would be trapped in the parent room with some long term cheer moms.

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I'd rather blow sunshine than spew hatred. 

Gym Coach wrote:

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I have 40 feet of bleachers in my gym.  I have never had a problem with the parents.  They know that they are welcome to leave my program at any time.  They also know that I will dismiss them at any time.  The kids and their parents know the ground rules.  My close friend closes his gym and it works for that program.  I just don't feel comfortable telling parents who drive so far to get out after they drop off their child.  Stick around, hang out, you might learn a thing or two...  Ask me what you don't understand and I will explain it to you.

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And when you have understood groundrules, people are free to knit, raise unicorns and spew sunshine.

Have any of you heard the term "self fulfilling prophecy"?

I know some parents are crazy and rude, but to put all parents in that category is to just opening the door for those who may not have behaved that way to follow the expected path.

The parents who are not like that will get lumped in with them, so I would be careful about throwing them under bus. If you are not doing anything to make it better (and complaiing about it deosn't count) you are just as much part of the problem.

People only do what they can get away with. Our gym doesn't tolerate it, when parents start that crap, we change the subject or flat out tell them that is not allowed. We don;t lose families from this policy it makes people want to stay and tell others.

Think about how you can handle a complaining or parent coach to take the energy out and shift it to something positive. Another good idea is to put them to work helping in another way like fundraising, taking photos, whatever their talent is. Some people just can't be left idle.

Just some positive thoughts on making it better.

I have a question for everyone Gym owners, Coaches, Parents, Kids (whom parents work hard to pay the bills and yes Cheerleading is a monthly bill!!!) Am I wrong in believing that coaches are paid? Or do they volunteer their time? If they are paid then wouldn't they be "Paid Professional". Then as a professional they should Coach. It is what they are being paid for right? If a child isn't paying attention make them run laps, do push up, or whatever stretching exercise that particular cheerleader hates. If its a problem with a parent. I would hope your Gym has a separate "Team Manager" from the coach. Complaints should go through this person. No words to cause to cause any harm ever need be said between Coach or Parent. To cut parents out of practice thats not the answer. Most athletes and almost all world class athletes don't come alone they come with family. It's the family that supports the athlete. The athlete supports the gym. With no family means no athlete with no athlete, no gym, no gym means no team. If your a coach and you cant handle the little things that some parents say. Maybe this job isn't for you. When you are the Coach,Leader,or Captain you WILL be criticized. It comes with the territory. Get Over It..  Now Gym Owners let me ask you this, In your gym is it a closed practice? If so do you have private lessons? Can parents come in the gym and watch those? I'm just wondering if someone lets say from another team comes in for privates parents get to watch. But now I want join the team and support the gym the parents are kicked out. Let me get this right, I can watch privates which shows no true support to the gym. But Put the Gym Team Name on my back show support, pride, and loyalty and get a big sorry practices are closed to team members familys. If you would like to watch your childs skills you'll just have to pay more and get them in privates. NOW THATS A TRUE FAMILY ATMOSPHERE. Remember this if anything..  COACHES ARE PAID PROFESSIONALS paid to coach. So just coach the team put a competitive product on the mat,then who can say a word.