I recently came across the article. I cannot remember the first time I read this but I remember being a VERY rookie coach handing this out to all the parents of my current team. It was written by J. Howard, Professional gymnastics coach since 1980, Tumbling, Double mini and Trampoline coach since 1986, gymnastics author of 26 books, Gymnastics/Sports hypnotist, Coach of Gymnastics, Tumbling, Double-mini, Trampoline and Cheer-leading State, Regional, National, Jr. Olympic National, Jr. Elite National and Jr. World Age Group Champion medalists, commercial gymnastics web site designer, consultant and owner, gymnastics business consultant, Gymnastics staff trainer, Gymnastics equipment and facility layout designer, NCAA Division I cheer-leading coach for two years, Company CEO, business, business strategy and computer consultant. Enjoy…
Gymnastics in and of itself is beneficial for gymnasts at all levels of participation.
Here are 27 things parents of gymnasts should avoid doing so they don’t interfere with the positive benefits:
1 Don’t compare your gymnast’s progress with that of other gymnasts.
2 Don’t become overly ego-involved with your gymnast’s success or lack of it.
3 Don’t take judge’s scores too seriously, especially at the lower levels.
4 Don’t forget the need for fun in gymnastics.
5 Don’t stand for unacceptable behavior from your gymnast during practice or competitions.
6 Don’t participate in gossip about anyone in the gymnastics community.
7 Don’t interfere with coaches and their coaching duties during practice or competitions.
8 Don’t pressure your gymnast regarding skills or competition.
9 Don’t set unrealistic goals for your gymnast.
10 Don’t predicate your love or attention on your gymnast’s competitive success.
11 Don’t base your own ego or self-esteem on the success of your gymnast’s progress or competitive success.
12 Don’t lose your long-term perspective about the importance of your gymnast’s participation in the sport.
13 Don’t let yourself care too deeply about your gymnast’s competition results.
14 Don’t undercut your gymnast’s confidence in their coaches or coaching.
15 Don’t show any negative emotions while watching your gymnast practice or compete.
16 Don’t try to make your gymnast talk with you immediately after a gymnastics meet, especially if they performed poorly.
17 Don’t do or say anything to make your child feel guilty for the time and money you are spending on their gymnastics or any sacrifices you feel are making for them to participate in the sport.
18 Don’t badmouth your gymnast’s coaches, your gym or other gymnasts in front of your gymnast.
19 Don’t attempt to coach your gymnast yourself.
20 Don’t alienate your gymnast’s coaches.
21 Don’t predicate your support for your gymnast’s participation in the sport on any expectation of a monetary return like receiving a college scholarship.
22 Don’t try to recreate your own career or live out your own sports dreams through your gymnast.
23 Don’t do anything to make enemies with other gymnast’s parents.
24 Don’t expect anything more from your gymnast except their best effort.
25 Don’t ever do or say anything that will cause your gymnast to think less of you.
26 Don’t use sarcasm, threaten or use fear to try to motivate your gymnast.
27 Don’t expect anything more from gymnastics than physical fitness, life skills and fun for your gymnast.
I find it inspiring in some ways and if I do not have my gymnasts set goals for themselves and take the sport seriously, then they should play school sports. Gymnastics Mom going on 7 years of 2 optional gymnast, I always ask how practice went and it becomes the past. Do better tomorrow. But, I don’t agree with them not knowing the time commitment of the sport , which would be a cost on the other family members. This is a expensive sport, all children need to do what makes them happy, if it’s not gymnastics, move on. The End
Good tips thanks ! However, I think that a big part of those problems (if not most of them !) simply don’t exist when parents are banned during the trainings sessions.
Problems arrive at the very second the parents put one foot in the training hall ! In my own club, trainings are private, parents can’t assist to the lessons, this is part of our rules and regulations.
I know that this might look weird in the USA, but it is totally normal in Europe, where 99% of the clubs don’t accept the parents during the trainings, they understand it and accept it very well. They don’t enter into their child’s classroom during lessons at school, and it is the exact same rule at the gym, there is nothing strange or unusual there.
What isn’t normal is to transform the gym into a zoo where the kids are like monkeys playing a show for the audience eating pizzas ans pop-corns !
And if you think that the parents won’t accept to be pushed out of the training hall and might go to another club where they are allowed to stay, don’t worry : at the end they will thank you for that, because that rule applies to everybody, because nobody can judge their own children, and because it avoids most of the tensions between the parents.
The gymnasts and the coaches also benefit a lot from that, because they don’t feel those heavy eyes staring at them, they don’t feel permanently judged, they can work with calm and serenity and concentrate on training.
Believe me : no parents in the gym, and things are always better !
Just wondering if you have the same “no viewing” policy for the pre-school and recreational patents? We have families that come a long way to attend classes.
If the coaches are immature or jealous (easily offended), and your program is mediocre, then isolate parents AND blame them for your own mediocrity.
There is no short cut to understanding people. Using labels such as “parents,” “coaches,” “gymnasts,” “judges,” as a form of prejudice screams with ignorance, insecurity, and denial.
“Coaches” should concede the fact that they are not doctors. Coaches should commit to continuous learning/improvement. And, accept that many parents possess superior and valuable knowledge over a wide range of relevant topics.