Over the years, I've had to drag youngsters and siblings to cheer competitions that seem to last longer than the ice age. Anyone have any ideas on how to keep kids busy for HOURS AND HOURS AND HOURS AND HOURS AND HOURS in a place that's louder than an AC/DC concert?
I've brought a dvd player and put together a bag with new fun things in it. (I save the McDonalds toys just for this too)
But sometimes it's just not enough.
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OC Mom, Mom of 5 great kids! A cheerleader/softball player, a RETIRED cheerleader, a football/baseball player, 1 Airman and future Police Officer and one college student!
Nintendo DS is a lifesaver. I usually try to limit playing time but on competition days I really do not care. If the competition is local I also have my husband come closer to the performing time and take the boys elsewhere to eat between her performance and awards.
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"Whether you think you can or think you can't, either way your right"
Yea, I did that last year. I had the little one on Mini's and my big one was on Senior Level 5. That made it WAY worse. I was there from 7 am to 10 pm with BOTH of them sometimes. That was a NIGHTMARE.
So what did I do? I became the gym photographer for ALL of the teams.
yea, real smart......
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OC Mom, Mom of 5 great kids! A cheerleader/softball player, a RETIRED cheerleader, a football/baseball player, 1 Airman and future Police Officer and one college student!
I have a 3 year old and it is very hard on her to sit at a competition all day long and into the evening. So if I know it's going to be a long competition than I find a babysitter for her. Usually her grandparent's watch her.
But if it's a short competition and I know we will be there for 5 hours or less (which is rare) I just bring things for her to do like coloring books. She loves to play with that Leapster it has a lot of learning games.
I hope that helps at least some what.
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Jen.....Proud mom of Kiara and Maiya from Cheer Odyssey!!!
OC Mom,,,,,,too bad you didn't live closer. I teach "Babysitting" Classes and I have a ton of girls (and boys) who would love to help you out as a "Mothers Helper".......most of my kids in the class are 10-13 year olds, and even tho they're not old enough to babysit on thier own, if they are with you at the competiton, the "Mothers Helper" can help entertain your child and keeps the child from getting "bored" with just you. I train my kids to make "Merry Poppins" bags that contain age appropriate toys and games that just come out when that "Mothers Helper" is babysitting........If you like the idea, I'd call the Red Cross and see if they teach "Babysitter" classes. Maybe you can give them your name and have the babysitters call you if they're interested.
Oh, do I ever understand this topic! My daughter is 6, this is her third year cheering.... ALL competitions are long to her once her team has stepped off the mat... AND we also have the "board older brother syndrome" too! For my daughter, i always pack up pens, coloring paper, the mini magnadoodle, mini etch-a-skech and anything else that may keep her entertained for 9 or more hours. I also get with the other Moms, and say if one is bringing the Polly Pockets, then I will bring the Barbie's that way the kids share and do not get their stuff all mixed up. Notebooks for playing hangman, tick tac toe, and making notes for their friends are also a hit. Sometimes I let her take her own pictures... I get her a disposable camera... and she can take pictures of her friends and what she thinks is cool. She then puts the pictures in HER scrapbook..(this also keeps her out of my scrapbook!) CD players, DVD players are good too, and I always bring a blanket. As for the board big brother..... I leave him at home as much as possible! LOL!! When he does have to go... his PSP, ipod, and a pocket full of money for food usually keeps him cool. I also stick him with the other "board big brothers". I know one day I will miss the days of him not wanting to see all of the cute cheerleaders!
So now you know... that crazy lady with ALL the backpacks, and bags walking sideways like the V8 commercial... that is me! I do however sit way in the back or off to the side, keep my bags under my seat, and keep my daughter and her freinds from bothering anyone else trying to watch their teams.
Happy New Years to ALL and have a safe and healthy 2007!
Thanks Cheer Mom!!! Truthfully, I have 5 kids (3 mine, 2 step) and my daughter is a certified sitter with all the bells and whistles and actually made over $3000 this past summer! I have TONS AND TONS of ideas but i was just trying to start a topic that many of us could relate to.
That Red Cross idea is a WONDERFUL one!!! They have a great great program. Your local Sheriff Dept usually will have a great program also. Ours has a wonderful CPR program as well that specializes in CPR for kids and kid situations.
You know that scrapbook organizer on wheels??? That's what I bring with all my snacks and stuff to do, in it!!! Instead of bringing premade coloring books, I take 81/2 X 11 paper and a card stock paper and make a book for the kids. then I also will ask for the coloring papers and crayons from resturants and save those. I take the Mcdonalds toys, let the kids play in the play area instead of getting a toy every single time, and keep them for the competitions. I also buy the $1 video cartooms from Walmart and only let them watch them during the competitions so they stay special.
I use those free drawstring bags we get at competitions to keep the toys and stuff in. Big Lots is great for cheap toys. Then I have a box or bag in the laundry room, out of reach, with stuff in it for competitions only. Then the night before, I pack the drawstring bag for them and they can only take it out when they are going to sit for quite some time. Also, taking them outside and making them run helps alot. I have pretend races, timing them to see if they can do it faster the 2nd or 3rd time around. Boy does that get the wiggles out.
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OC Mom, Mom of 5 great kids! A cheerleader/softball player, a RETIRED cheerleader, a football/baseball player, 1 Airman and future Police Officer and one college student!
I use one of the rolling carts from Staples. It was $19.99 and folds up really easy. I can pile the goodies in there and save my back a week in traction! Great Ideas everyone!
OC Mom wrote: Thanks Cheer Mom!!! Truthfully, I have 5 kids (3 mine, 2 step) and my daughter is a certified sitter with all the bells and whistles and actually made over $3000 this past summer! I have TONS AND TONS of ideas but i was just trying to start a topic that many of us could relate to.
That Red Cross idea is a WONDERFUL one!!! They have a great great program. Your local Sheriff Dept usually will have a great program also. Ours has a wonderful CPR program as well that specializes in CPR for kids and kid situations.
You know that scrapbook organizer on wheels??? That's what I bring with all my snacks and stuff to do, in it!!! Instead of bringing premade coloring books, I take 81/2 X 11 paper and a card stock paper and make a book for the kids. then I also will ask for the coloring papers and crayons from resturants and save those. I take the Mcdonalds toys, let the kids play in the play area instead of getting a toy every single time, and keep them for the competitions. I also buy the $1 video cartooms from Walmart and only let them watch them during the competitions so they stay special.
I use those free drawstring bags we get at competitions to keep the toys and stuff in. Big Lots is great for cheap toys. Then I have a box or bag in the laundry room, out of reach, with stuff in it for competitions only. Then the night before, I pack the drawstring bag for them and they can only take it out when they are going to sit for quite some time. Also, taking them outside and making them run helps alot. I have pretend races, timing them to see if they can do it faster the 2nd or 3rd time around. Boy does that get the wiggles out.
GREAT ideas!! Things I would have never thought of! Altough I'm still partial to putting them on a mini team. You can never go wrong starting kids early, its a great sport for kids to make lifelong friends!! BUT, i will keep these Ideas in mind! Thanks for sharing hehehe
We did the mini team 1 season with my step son who LOVED it. But his mom didn't want him to do it again because it took away 5 of her Saturdays, and since I am only step mom, I didn't have too much say. Not like she showed up for one single practice or competition. Such commitment.
But I found having one on Sr. Lvl 5 and one on Mini Lvl 1 was A KILLER. I was there alllllll day. I had to be resourceful, big time! Just ask my Motions friends about when we went to USA in Anaheim. I think we all were going to pull our hair out.
Having a little one at a competition is really tough. JAMZ is really good about having jump things for them to play in. That really helps a lot.
So instead, I now take pics of the entire gym and have to be there all day and run around, chasing every team including dance. You'd think I would learn.
NOPE
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OC Mom, Mom of 5 great kids! A cheerleader/softball player, a RETIRED cheerleader, a football/baseball player, 1 Airman and future Police Officer and one college student!
My daughter is 6, this is her third year cheering.... ALL competitions are long to her once her team has stepped off the mat... AND we also have the "board older brother syndrome" too! 
For my daughter, i always pack up pens, coloring paper, the mini magnadoodle, mini etch-a-skech and anything else that may keep her entertained for 9 or more hours. I also get with the other Moms, and say if one is bringing the Polly Pockets, then I will bring the Barbie's that way the kids share and do not get their stuff all mixed up. Notebooks for playing hangman, tick tac toe, and making notes for their friends are also a hit. Sometimes I let her take her own pictures... I get her a disposable camera... and she can take pictures of her friends and what she thinks is cool. She then puts the pictures in HER scrapbook..(this also keeps her out of my scrapbook!) CD players, DVD players are good too, and I always bring a blanket. As for the board big brother..... I leave him at home as much as possible! LOL!! When he does have to go... his PSP, ipod, and a pocket full of money for food usually keeps him cool. I also stick him with the other "board big brothers". I know one day I will miss the days of him not wanting to see all of the cute cheerleaders! 
I do however sit way in the back or off to the side, keep my bags under my seat, and keep my daughter and her freinds from bothering anyone else trying to watch their teams.
