Self confidence - cheerleading

575 Views 8 Replies 8 Participants Last post by stormchaser_al, Aug 6, 2006

skylahaley

Discussion Starter · Aug 4, 2006

Am feeling torn and would love any input:
I have 7-year-old twin daughters who are absolutely wonderful (yes, proud mama), but they are extremely shy and soft spoken. I decided this year to allow them to sign up for cheerleading (their idea, not mine), thinking that it would help them gain confidence and find their "voice." However, since I was a bit skeptical about the whole cheerleading thing, I also decided to volunteer as team mom and then they roped me into becoming an assistance coach as well. Although I absolutely hate being the assistance coach b/c I actually have to learn the cheers too, I'm relieved I'm there on the field with them. We've only had 3 practices so far and my girls claim that they love it --yet they're appear very awkward doing the motions and just whisper the cheers.
Part of me feels like pulling them out -- probably b/c of my own dislike of it! Yet, I think it is probably for the best to have them stick it out.
Do you think being in a situation like this will help them gain confidence or do you think it may be harmful?

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cool_mom

· #2 · Aug 4, 2006

Any activity where they will be meeting other kids and developing skills is good. Why would you want to pull them out if they claim that they are having fun? Hopefully, they will make friends and gain confidence. You might want to coach them (or have their coach) talk to them about shouting the cheers; afterall, a cheer-whisperer, isn't overly effective.
Good luck and keep us posted.

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Twocoolboys

· #3 · Aug 4, 2006

If they are saying they love it, then let them stay involved with it, in my opinion. If this is something new to them, then it will take awhile for them to become more confident with it.

My oldest has played soccer for two years. He is probably the most enthusiastic soccer player there is - off the field - lol. On the field, he was definitely the kid picking dandelions in the middle of the games. He would react to the action around him only after everyone had blown by him. He just really seemed like he wasn't into it when he was there, but at home he was all about soccer. But, by the end of his second season, he was getting more involved in the play on the field, made some pretty decent plays and still is moderately into soccer off the field. Now he wants to try baseball. Which is fine with us. I think part of being a kid is trying out all the things you are interested in.

If your dd's are interested in cheering right now, I think that is fantastic. Their interest will either run it's course and they will let you know when they are done with it, or they will steadily improve if they stick with it.

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Marsupialmom

· #4 · Aug 4, 2006

I agree if they say they love it let them keep with it. They might be still be building their confidence/voice. You said that they were quite to start with...there new voice could be louder than before, it is a start.

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onlyzombiecat

· #5 · Aug 4, 2006

I'd let them stick with it as long as they enjoy it. If they stop enjoying it then let them drop it.
Three practices doesn't sound like much to judge on though. It can take awhile to get comfortable with an activity though.
You could work on the moves and cheers outside of practices to help with any awkwardness and help build confidence.

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shelley4

· #6 · Aug 4, 2006

i agree, keep them in it, unless they change thier minds and say that they don't enjoy it anymore.

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Wugmama

· #7 · Aug 4, 2006

I would keep them in it as long as they want to stay in it.

When I was a (nerdy) junior in high school I went out for cheerleading and made the squad. I was enormously proud of myself for just getting up the nerve to try out. l had been in the same school district my whole life and I acutally had one of the star jocks, who of course I *knew*, ask me when I'd transferred to that school, I had been such a wall flower. I loved cheering to the crowd, it made me feel great. I ended up doing only two seasons then not trying out again my senior year because I didn't really care for most of the rest of the girls. But to this day I feel good about having been a cheerleader.

Obviously your little ones are in a different place, yet I still feel they could also get some benefits. How nice that you were willing to be involved for them even though it isn't something you enjoy.

Go mama go! :

~Tracy

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skylahaley

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 6, 2006

Thanks for everyone's input! I thought what I was doing was probably the best thing yet it's still a bit unsettling for me. Seeing how uncomfortable they look at practices is heartbreaking! Last night after putting them to bed I actually cried b/c I remembered that same awkward feeling! However, I know I shouldn't confuse my emotions with theirs and as long as they still claim to like it, despite how uncomfortable they look, I'll stick it out. Hopefully in the long run it will prove to have been worthwhile. I really want them to find their voices and to overcome their shyness.
Thanks again!

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stormchaser_al

· #9 · Aug 6, 2006

I think it depends on the child and the child's personality. I would not force them to do it by no means. Since they wanted to do the cheerleading and they seem to want to continue doing it I would keep them in it.

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