Accepting Your Loss Of Control As A Parent

There is a part of competitive gymnastics most parents struggle with at first, especially if your child dreams about moving beyond compulsory or inter club competition and on to provincial or national status.  That is, the realization you do not fit into the grand scheme of things at the gym.  You have little to no say in anything your child does on that gym floor, the relationship and the training is 95% between the coach and the child no matter the age.  Yes, by all means, you still have the right to bring up issues with your child's
coach(es) that are of life altering consequence such as eating habits, weight loss and emotional issues the coach may be unaware of and that might affect training, but you do not get any say in the child's training, skill level or coaching style.

This is true in for-profit clubs which is usually where you would a child who has high expectations of national or provincial success.  These clubs are usually not run by a parent board of directors who come up with programming often based on what they want to see happening and not what is in the best interest of the children, but they are run by coaches who have a great degree of experience molding young gymnasts into the best gymnast they can be.

There are a few benefits to this style of gym:

1. Every child has the possibility to reach their greatest potential as a gymnast.
2. The relationship is between the child and the coach which builds an important trust between the two.
3. Coaches see and hear the fears of the gymnast and can work through them with them by offering progressions and spotting.
4. Coaches hear what it is the child wants to accomplish with their gymnastics not what
   their parents want.
5. Gymnasts are not afraid to ask for spotting or help when they do not feel safe or comfortable with skills.
6. Coaches can push each child based on their individual personalities and abilities.
7. Children are judged based on their own levels and abilities.
8. Parents get to be the support staff there to listen, comfort and cheer on their gymnast not be a coach.

The role of a parent in the competitive gymnastics world is a hard one to figure out.  It has taken me five-years to grasp, but in the end I know it is in the best interest of my child. 

Until next time keep cheering your little gymnast on!