Parent team...question

Date: Sun Jul 16 3:48 PM, 2006

Parent team...question

Date: Sun Jul 16 5:42 PM, 2006

Cheerforce parent team performs at coa and jamfest.

Date: Sun Jul 16 8:39 PM, 2006

Some companies, if you ask, might add the division.

Date: Mon Jul 17 8:56 AM, 2006

A lot of times if you ask, they will allow them to do an exhibition during that dead time during score tabulation. But if you really want them to actually pay, compete, etc, you're probably going to have to make a phone call and see if they can add the division.

I guess otherwise you could put them in Open Coed, heh...

Date: Mon Jul 17 11:06 AM, 2006

thanks so much you guys. Haha, open co-ed....that would be funny! they'd probably hate me! They want to compete against other parent teams but I know that very few gyms have parent teams. Thanks for helping me out!

Date: Mon Jul 17 12:38 PM, 2006

I know I'll get blasted for saying this, but maybe others feel the same way. I thought seeing parents up there performing for fun while the judges tallied up scores was entertaining, it made me laugh. And for that purpose, I think it's a cute idea. But when we start talking about them actually competing against other parent teams (even for fun), and having these added to competitions, that's when I think it's a little much. As a spectator, I would rather see the kids. That's what I'm there for. I'm starting to see parents who used to cheer and have gymnastics background, and whatever else, out there actually doing stunts and tumbling. Am I supposed to be impressed? The beer bellied dad who tried to do a somersault was much more entertaining.

Let's concentrate on the kids. Parent teams are cute once in a while, but as a regular feature at competitions? I'll pass thank you.

Date: Mon Jul 17 1:31 PM, 2006

I totally agree with above post. This is only my opinion (and I only speak for myself) but I am not all that in favor of cheerleading parent teams. I kind of feel like it is another example of living through our children. Do parents have organized football teams that compete against each other? I just can't imagine your children being excited about you being on stage looking silly, out of shape, uncoodinated, etc. How many of you take it too serious and how many of you do it just for fun? It is entertaining but only to a point. I would not enjoy seeing competitive parent teams. Again, only my opinion.

Date: Mon Jul 17 6:30 PM, 2006

I agree about the parent teams, they can get old real fast. And now if organizations are intentionally seeking out those competitions that have parent teams competing so that the parents have a place to perform, yikes. What's wrong with this picture?

Now if it were spontaneous and parents were chosen at random the day of the competition, and had 10 min. or so to learn the same routine, maybe that would be fun to watch, because you know they didn't spend time practicing at a gym for weeks/months. Maybe that would be fun to watch. Maybe.

Date: Mon Jul 17 6:41 PM, 2006

sheesh! Talk about being selfish! I think its great that parents want to do it. Its not just for the kids....thats like saying "cheerleading is just for girls". Cheerleading is not limited to "kids". Do you ever go on a site and see that it says, "just for kids". You guys are basically putting down your coaches too b/c what if they wanted to do it. Let the parents do there thang! Hey remember....we have a parent team! Let them be, so rude.

Date: Mon Jul 17 6:44 PM, 2006

don't under-estimate parents......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz5Gs1tdX5o&search=parent%20team

Date: Mon Jul 17 7:53 PM, 2006

Yes, let's talk about selfish and self-indulging. Most parents don't need more than seeing their child do a sport they love. Most don't need to "join in". Let YOUR KIDS have the fun; this is their moment, not yours. There are plenty of other activities for parents. I think we need a reality check here.

Date: Mon Jul 17 8:07 PM, 2006

adding to the above wrote:

don't under-estimate parents......

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vz5Gs1tdX5o&search=parent%20team

TOUCHE they look just as good as the regular age cheerleaders in Ontario!

Date: Mon Jul 17 8:41 PM, 2006

Those parents have way too much time on their hands!

Date: Mon Jul 17 8:53 PM, 2006

parent teams are so awesome! i love to watch them, they are so fun!

Date: Mon Jul 17 8:57 PM, 2006

I think if parent teams start to catch on, they need to go to separate competitions; from looking at that video, it's obvious some are ex-cheerleaders/ex-gymnasts reliving their past and need an outlet. They're good, but I'd rather watch the kids, sorry. But that beer bellied guy someone mentioned sounds funny, that I would like to see!

Date: Mon Jul 17 8:59 PM, 2006

I am deeply deeply DEEPLY saddened about these posts. I was on a parent team. I did it because I am overweight, sat thru my childs last 7 years of cheer, love our gym and love our other parents. We did it for fun only. I did it because my daughter begged me to. She told me, "Mom, it would be fun for you, something for you to do for yourself instead of just me and you already get along with everyone. Please do it!"

We worked hard twice a week after hours with our kids watching. I heard, "Mom, be sharper! You're going the wrong way! Look, it goes like this..." and more. I heard myself in her. And when the day came for us to perform, she followed the parents around with MY camera in hand, so proud of all of us. We got a standing ovation from the crowd even though the lights were so bright we couldn't see past the first few rows. And I felt better than I had in YEARS AND YEARS.

And you all come on here and tell me that after raising 5 kids and doing EVERYTHING out of love for my children that I am being selfish? I give my heart and soul to my family. I wake up and make sure everyone is fed and ready for school. I stay awake at night when someone is throwing up even though I hadn't had sleep in days. I hold the hand of the child who is disappointed when their team didn't win even though that child isn't my own. I volunteer to make you all gift bags and snacks every competitions and go to all the parent meetings and support ALL OF YOU OUT THERE. And I am selfish?

You have heart the heart that loves you only because I did something to make myself happy for once. Thank you for that. Thank you.

Date: Mon Jul 17 9:34 PM, 2006

To Sad, if that were the case and the incentive for it, than I apologize. Good for you that it made you feel happy. But looking at that video, come on. Does it look like that's the case for that group of particular parents? I think the fear is there is a trend that we will start seeing parents actually COMPETE against each other, taking themselves seriously. Personally, I just don't want to sit there and watch it. I'm happy for you, truly. Maybe they could have the parents go at the very end, for those who want to stay and watch.

Date: Mon Jul 17 11:02 PM, 2006

To Sad,
I don't think anyone is questioning your parenting, why you are doing it, etc. I think you are taking the posts opninions way to personal. All "I" was saying is I think there are other outlets for parents to get exercise, dance, etc. and in my opinion, I just don't think competitive cheerleading (after the open team/college age) is the place for it. To me, I take the competitions serious and am there to see the talent of the kids, not parents trying to relive their youth, get in shape or whatever reason people do it. I was a cheerleader for 9 years and loved it which is why I introduced the sport to my daughter. I left my pom poms behind in 1986 and have not looked back. I don't doubt you all work very hard and you are very proud of yourselves. Good for you, that is the beauty of living in our country, we have free will. Bottom line, I am personally just not interested in sitting through a bunch of parent teams at a competition.

Date: Tue Jul 18 7:48 AM, 2006

To Sad, for whatever reason you do it... I don't wanna sit through it. I'm with the post that said put them at the end.

Date: Tue Jul 18 10:20 AM, 2006

I have been on a parent team for 2 years and I have had so much fun and judging by the applause we get from the crowd I'm pretty sure that most of the audience loves us. I do it for fun.