Little girls and cheerleading? - Page 2

[Celtain]

My daughter has been a cheerleader for the last 4 years and she loves it. She cheers for pop warner, there is no tryout, everyone that signs up is on the team. There is also a team mother that is at every practice, if the trainers try to throw in a move that is sexual, it gets squashed!!! Quickly!!!! And when you practice something for 2 hours a night 4 nights a week, it is a sport!!!!

[guest^]

riotkrrn-

I don't think it is wrong to cheer another person on. But I think spending hours, and hours,and hundreds of dollars to do so is unhealthy. JMHO. *I* will joyfully spend (most likely) *lots* of hours cheering my dc on in whatever they are interested in. *But*, I will not make sure I look my absolute best,diet,put on tons of makeup,go to a tanning booth, and expect to get a boost to my self-esteem from it.

The OP was asking for varied opinions-mine are strong,mainly cause I've BTDT,and have seen my niece do it for 2 yrs. and quit so she could focus more on her cross-country team and her studies.

I just think there are better ways to gain self-esteem and good exercise.

To those that have their little girls in so-called *innocent* cheer camps, I personally thinnk it is placing them on a scary path. A path that will teach them to stand in front of people with confidence-sure, a path that teaches teamwork-sure, even one that develpos coordination and athleticism-sure! *However* this path is most likely also going to teach them to focus on their looks-very dangerous(how many over weight cheerleaders stay on year after year?), and basically expose them to a world that is making showgirls out of them,wasting their time that could(again-JMHO) be better spent learning skills that develop their best inner and outer strengths.

And while I am at it ......to the poster that said to do it,"or your dd might resent you".......as mommas it is our resposibility to make these kinds of (often) difficult decisions for our dc. I personally would rather bring up dd to be a strong,competent woman having communicated with her appropriately, but keeping my job in mind-and that is to be her mom-not her friend.


:

mp

[Graceoc]

I totally respect all the opinions, but I do have to question this....

(how many over weight cheerleaders stay on year after year?)

You could honestly say that about most all sports. To participate/make a team in most sports you need to be physically fit! Now I do understand you were talking more about 'looks' in the 'perfect pretty' cheerleader sterotype way....but I can't see anything wrong with trying to say fit and at a normal weight.....

[guest^]

Graceoc-
I guess what I was referring to, is that I knew many girls who are"talented" in dance,remembering words to cheers,setting a good example for others,but because they didn't fit the "cheerleader mold" of a size 3 or 5,they eventually quit, or were pressured to quit. I always hated this, as I (by genes only) was a very slender/muscular young woman(even though I ate like Sh$&)......didn't have ANY inner beauty at the time(that I am aware of!)....and yet I saw girl after girl being skipped over-solely based on her figure.

I must disagree-being fit is one thing-looking fit is another. I have had(and still do) many friends that may not *look* fit, but they are ssssoooooo healthy!!! Would?could they ever make a cheerleading team? No! Why? Because they didn't/don't look like Brittany Spears(or her mother! ).

To be fit is one thing-to *look* fit is another. The cheerleading industry is really only interested in those that look it and have it.

When I was in highschool(20 yrs ago )...... female basketball players were able to not have a perfect 10 for a body, but still be awesome at their sport,setting good examples for younger ones looking on,etc....

Is my point clear??

mp

[lab]

Before I decided, I would check into the routine and cheers that they do.


I am mortified by the routines little girls do in cheerleading. Too Britney Spears. If you are comfortable with your dd wiggling her butt and gyrating (sp) then go for it! (If that is what they do - in my experience - that's what they teach 'em).

[Celtain]

Lab, That is why I like having a team mom. I have seen her totally SQUASH sexy moves. And if the trainers say "well this really goes with the music" she says "well then maybe you need to find new music!!"

Check and see if you have pop warner in your area. They usually start about the begining of August.

I hope you can find a place where you and your DD are happy!

[Quillen]

If my dd showed an interest in being a cheerleader, I would sign her up for gymastics and maybe a dance class. She would need to have the skills to go with the sport. If she agreed to stick with the classes, etc, she could try out o n the team. If she could do it the next year would depend on how the first year went.

One of the first cheerleading try-outs I saw (5th grade), a girl did cartwheels, etc across the width of the gym.

[NorthernLight]

I agree. She probably might like dance or gymnastics instead. Cool costumes, music, etc. Cheerleading is very athletic, however, and these days of couch potato kids, I would not discourage anything.

[wholegrainmama]

My dd is going to cheer this year. She is so excited about it, and I am supporting her enthusiasm. I am giving her the choice as to what she'd like to participate in; so far she has tried soccer and gymnastics, and this year really wanted to try cheerleading. The squad she's going to be in doesn't have try outs, and the parents are very involved. I don't really see any harm in it, especially if your child really enjoys it, and isn't gleaning any unhealthy habits or attitudes from it.

[PONOKELAMAMA]

cheerleading is a freakin' sport!!!


cheerleading has evolved to something completely different than it was thirty or even ten years ago!

okay, let's reevaluate our idea on what a sport is and why we let our children participate. although ds is not playing sports yet, the reasons i would let him is for the experience of working as a team and personal growth. i was a cheerleader for eight years and although we did "cheer on" someone else, the focus was so much more on our own team. we were VERY involved in our community and we focused more on our cheerleading competitons (state and national competitions) than the football/basketball games. yes, it was fun to be at the games and be INVOLVED in our school and i find that to have a huge importance as well, but like i said we were so much more focused on our own team and the strengths and weaknesses as a TEAM. i LOVED being a cheerleader and i learned so much fromt he experience. there were some very strong chicks on my team and we were as a whole a VERY tough group of girls and it was very empowering for us. all this said though, you have to know the coach and team before you should let your ds get involved. as with anything else there are some crazies out there. just check it out. but do not be afriad of cheerleading because of preconcieved ideas as to what a cheerleader is. yes, we cared a little bit too much about our uniforms and hair bows, but in my own opinion, i would have cared about that stuff too much anyways whether or not i was a cheerleader. my ds is only 3 and if he wants to be a cheerleader, all the more power to him.

cheerleading rocks!!!

jessie

[lilyka]

I wanted to comment on the "cheering the team" aspect of cheerleading.

I grew up in TX and friday noght football was a huge event and every aspect of it was equally important. Everyone who was there on Friday night cheeredon the team and then when we had our individual competions all of the other teams came and cheered each other on.

there was of course the football team and the cheerleaders each equally athletic and talented.

We also had a group of guys who weren't cheerleaders (I forget thier title) but they carried mega phones and were jeans, white long sleeve button up shirts (did I mentionthis was TX) cowboy hats and boots. they helped the cheerleaders do the more complicated stunts, got the crowd going and helped whoever was on the feild at the moment get thier stuff where it needed to be.

the band who was incredible, talented and athletic in thier own right(it was counted as a PE credit at our school and they spent hours and hours training each week spending at least 4 hours a day plus more some days for special trainign)

Drill team who also counted as PE credit and put in many many long hours through out the year. No one would really call them talented though.

we all cheered on each other. the footbaall team lined up and greeted and encouraged the band as they took the field. the band cheered and played for the drill team, the cheer leaders attended every competition even if they only sat in the stand, and we all we part of one big show. we were all working our butts off to put on a show. That is really what it all boiled down to.

I don't mind if my dd official posiotiuon is cheering for others so long as everyone is more or less an equalplayer in the bigger show. it was a good time. I enjoyed being a part of it and watching the other people do thier thing. I hate football. but the whole thing was a good time.

My point is, that is the least of my concerns because while part of thier function may be to be a part of the general friday night fiesta it is far far more than that.

[ChaiBee]

My DD (5) started cheering this spring. She's on a competitive squad (they are *not* sidelines cheerleaders). She has enjoyed getting to know other girls (from very diverse backgrounds) and although she has always been quite confident she has gained even more self confidence. The coach is excellent - very encouraging yet focused on getting the job done. It is awesome excercise and combines two of Kelsey's favorite things (dance & gymnastics). The uniforms are not skimpy and the cheers are very wholesome.

[fourgrtkidos]

Boy, am I glad I opened this can of worms...... Keep on debating ladies. , Michelle

[Arwen]

I think it really depends on the individual teams. While I was more of a book worm and not at all interested in cheerleading (or any other sport), I did see several different teams in my school years. Some where really based on complicated dance moves and being flung high in the air, and some it seemed revolved around suggestive, sexual music and dance moves that seemed to be ripped off from the closest strip joint. I think if my DD wanted to do it, I would check to make sure that it was appropriate, then tell her "sure". At that age, I think it's important to be supportive of your child's interests, as long as it isn't doing any harm. It keeps you involved in your child's life. I would hate to become one of those "because I said so" parents. I don't think it's a good idea to say "no" to something like an extracarricular activity unless you have a valid reason.

[Teensy]

If you wouldn't want your DD to be a cheerleader, would you let your DS be a cheerleader?

I wouldn't suggest it out of the blue, but I wouldn't forbid it either.

I've watched some of the cheerleading competitions on ESPN and WOW - those teams were really amazing!