Gymnastics ~ WWYD?

[JayGee]

DD1 was just evaluated at the gym in our new town and they gave her two options.  She can a) join the advanced recreational class, which meets 1x a week for 1.5 hours, or b) join the Level 3 competitive team, which practices 6 hours (!!!) a week.  Of course, she wants team.  I want recreational.  DH wants team (well, he just wants her to have what she really wants LOL!)  She's only 6 and I think that much practice/competition so young will set her up for an early burnout.

Any input from other moms of gymnasts (competitve or rec)?  We need to decide by next week!

[swd12422]

How long has she been in gymnastics?

If this is her first experience in a new gym, I would go for the recreational class to see how things work. But then again, if she's been doing it for a long time and you're pretty familiar with gyms and what to look for, it couldn't hurt to have her try the team.... If she goes for the rec this time, how long til she can join the team if she gets bored/wants more?

I don't have direct experience, but have relatives who are intensely involved in gymnastics. It IS time consuming and only grows to be even more so as they get older. We never see that part of the family b/c they are always out of town for a meet, or at practice (at least one kid out of three, every single day, including school nights!) and weekends are either meets or longer-day practices with each kid in for several hours at a time. If you and DH are not willing (and since DH is more for it than you are at this point, make sure he's willing to give up some time to take her so it's not all on you) to spend your own free time on it, say no to the team.

I'll be interested to hear what others with more experience have to say, as I'll likely be in your shoes in a couple of years!

[mum5]

this was us a year or so ago. We actually decided that because of logistics, it would be so hard to take dd1 to meets, long practices w/ 2 younger kids in tow. Also, would a HUGE drain on the finances, and although she loved it, we dropped it, as we were not sure that she would become a gymnast later on in life. We are doing other activities that she enjoys just as much, are not as expensive, nor a pain to drag other 2 kids around to drop off/pick up.

[KCMichigan]

My 5 yr olds do recreational gymnastics. They love it.

If they DO want to be on the team later, fine. But not until they are 8+ or so and UNDERSTAND better the time and financial commitment. If they still like gymnastics at 8- then they are absolutely invested in it and worth a try. 

Before 8-- eh. I would probably wait. I want them to have time to rest, play, hang out with friends (not just ones in gymnastics), and explore other interests. Not to mention it is pricey. 

Our local gym requires a year commitment to team. That is a lot. My 9 yr old niece is on the team and has wanted to not go several times (after doing gymnastics for the two years previous). She enjoys it, but really 6+ hours and the weekendful of team events, school, girl scouts....etc leaves her tired all the time and overscheduled. On gym nights she has practice is 4:30 -8 (with a dinner break) so is in bed after 9:30--- then has to get up at 6 for school. Not enough sleep for a 9 year old, nor  anytime for homework (she is done w/ school at 3:45 and goes straight there).It is also pricey for uniforms, team sweats, etc.

I just think 6 is too young to make that large of a commitment (no matter how much they enjoy it) to one specific thing. It really should be an age to explore many options and learn how to navigate  new friendships, school, etc.

Try recreational gymnastics for another year or so and see if she is still interested- then try a year on the team. I am not saying no to teams - some kids really enjoy it and it provides scholarships, part time jobs, etc for older teens that are successful at it. Gymnastics teach some great skills and older kids can really benefit from learning how to balance school/gym/play and have a high sense of responsibility and teamwork. But really, 6 is young.

Another thought is to consult your Pediatrician. Our niece has had splinter breaks in her wrists from gymnastics. It is hard on her body and she is still growing. Not that young athletes dont get injuries (they do) but you need a good Dr and dedication to the sport to make sure that everything possible is done to reduce/avoid injuries. Some Coaches are just better at this than others- esp with their youngest athletes.

[Mosaic]

My neices did this and both took the competitive route. My older neice started at 3yo and did very well, to the point where they were discussing her odds of getting into the Olympics. In 8th grade they sat down and discussed what would be needed to realistically get in, and while it was possible, she was going to have to work even harder than she was already (I think she was putting in about 14-18 hrs/week at that point, and they needed still more?) she decided at that point that she wanted to pursue other options. She's still heavily involved in gymnastics (including teaching), but also cheerleading, track, community service, etc., and will graduate this spring.

My neice started older (5 or 6?) and is 9 now, and she's on the competitive track, too. My SIL told me it costs them about $7k/year right now in competition fees & hotels, and it is a really huge time investment, really for the whole family. But she loves it, so they're doing it.

Personally? I wouldn't do it unless my daughter had her heart absolutely SET on it and some indication of maturity that she knew what that kind of committment meant. My little neice gets up at 6:30am, has a long day of school, 3 hours of gymnastics, and gets home at 9:00 only to have a late dinner and start her homework. I can't fathom doing that long term, but she loves it! I think it depends a lot on the child.

[sweetcheeks]

My DD (5) is in the pre-competitive program at our gymnastics club and she loves it. Ever since she saw the gymnasts in the Beijing Olympics in 2008 (and she was just 3), she has stated that is what she wants to do. But she only practices 2x a week for a total of 3 hours. I don't think, at this age, I'd be comfortable with her doing anymore... I mean, she's only 5! IMO, 6 hours/week of practice seems like a lot at that age... our club doesn't even allow girls that age in the actual competitive program. Also to consider is the financial commitment. Right now, at my DD's level, the monthly cost isn't bad (aside from forking out over $100 for the team bodysuit and track suit). I'm not sure how your club works but ours requires the girls in the pre-competitive and competitive programs to earn "fundraising points," which are earned by selling raffle tickets and other various fundraisers (I believe our club has at least 4, aside from raffle tickets, throughout the year) or they can also be earned by a parent volunteering at the gym.

[AllisonR]

I wouldn't do a professional track for my family. Now if my 6yo was consistently pleading, desiring, insistant.... than I might be willing to give it a go for a 6 month period before re-evaluating. But otherwise, no way. I'm not big on pro-sports for really young kids though. Not just for the potential damage to their bodies, but also the damage to their whole self - their social, emotional, intellectual self. I took gymnastics as a kid and loved it. But I loved it once a week, and I'm glad the rest of the time was free so I could have time for practice if I wanted, but just as likely time for friends, for drawing, for fantasy play, for the rest of my life.

A good friend was a professional dancer for years - traveled the world, and now she has such problems now with her ankles because of it. My son is 6 and in his class, one girl, also 6, is in the professional gym. Because she has gym 3 days a week, and practices the other 2 days, she misses out on so much. We have play groups and she misses each one. She can't just go over to another kids house to play. She doesn't have time for other activities, because this activity takes so much. 

[chaimom]

My son is 8 1/2 and on a gymnastics team.  The hours are the same you mention, but actually go up to 12 hrs/week next year.  I know.  It's a huge amount of time.  He was asked to join the team when he was six, but we wouldn't let him.  So he joined last year, but we would only let him practice 2x week.  This year, the coach said he needed to be there 3x week in order to move up a level, which he has.  We tried to talk my son out of doing this.  We actually put a bit of pressure on him, because it's a huge family commitment getting him to practices and meets.  But he LOVES it.  And he's good at it. And it's his passion.  (2nd all-around at last weekend's meet!)  So we reluctantly agreed. 

My advice for your daughter?  Say no this year and see how she does.  Then if she's still interested, let her next year.  But I have to say, girls are better than boys earlier.  The 6-year-old girls in the gym where my son practices can do roundoff back handsprings.  It amazes me.  So, if your daughter wants to be competitive, she'll start at a disadvantage if she joins later.  We're only two years into it, so I don't know if that matters.  (Yes, I think that sounds obnoxious talking about a disadvantage for someone whose 6!!  I just mention that because my son is extremely competitive and was frustrated the first year he was on the team.) 

I do worry about all the time my son spends in the gym.  But he's in a gifted program at school-- everything comes easily to him.  I'm glad to find something that's challenging to him and that he has to struggle to do well.  Also, his coaches and other kids are really wonderful and good role models, so I think that makes up for some of the downsides, especially as he gets older.