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Last night the gymnastics coaches told me that Emily was now ready to move up to a competitive level.
As with most significant news, there are good and bad points.
Primarily, she has wanted this since she started and has worked very hard - every time there was an open workout on a Saturday she went, working on her skills. She does pull-ups at home for arm strength and stretches while she watches tv, and practices on her practice beam. I truly believe she's earned it, and that's reflected in the fact that she's made it to this level in half the time most girls do - she hasn't even been in gymnastics for two whole years yet.
Downsides are, per usual, logistics and money. Her class time will change to 3:45, which is too early for me to get her there if she continues to ride the school bus home. That means I have to pick up the kids from school on those days. I scheduled my other daughter's dance classes to coincide with gymnastics and now they are not going to, which means dropping off and picking up kids at various classes will be much harder and I'll probably spend twice the gas money running back and forth now.
Then, there's the money. Competing on the team requires buying a competitive leotard and team warm up suit, and you wouldn't believe how much that costs. Let's just say I was shocked. Then there's team fees that cover the coaches' travel to the meets and of course you have to pay your own travel costs and entry fees to each meet as well. Attendance in the summer session is mandatory but we'd probably do that anyway. We'll have to re-budget a bit, but we'll manage.
At any rate, she's done very well for an eight year old and come very far in a short time and I'm exceedingly proud of her. In fact, she had passed the required skills on floor, beam, and vault but lacked one skill on the uneven bars and they promoted her anyway because the coach told me that the gymnast's dedication and attitude were the most important factors and she had no doubt that Emily's work ethic would mean she'd get that skill down before the season starts. she even said she wouldn't be surprised if by the time the season began she didn't move up even another level, now that she'll be training more intensely she expects she'll make even faster progress.
I'm such a proud Mommy. Posts: 14428 | Registered: Aug 2001
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awww, congrats to you and Emily! I did gymnastics in middle school and high school and even coached a bit. I had a great time and it was an overall great experience for me. Emily is very lucky to have such supportive parents.
Posts: 416 | Registered: May 2005
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Congrats! Not every eight-year old shows that kind of dedication. WTG Em! (And good luck Mom on the scheduling!)
Posts: 32 | Registered: Feb 2006
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That's impressive, Belle. Congratulations to you for raising a kid capable of that kind of dedication at such an early age, and to her for having it. Good luck to her in her competitions!
Posts: 16059 | Registered: Aug 2000
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