Q: I am a working mom who's tired of shuttling my daughters around for gymnastics practices and meets. My husband has been complaining about their schedules, as well. My daughters started gymnastics when they were 7 and 8. I know they love doing gymnastics, in fact my older daughter has progressed from level 1 to level 5 in 3 years while my other daughter from level 1 to level 4 in 3 years. My eldest has placed at least a 3rd AA on all her meets with an average of 35.75 for her level 4 season. This may not be an indication that she's good, she must have just joined the high scoring meets for the season (who knows). It has been getting so expensive with all the fees associated with the meet entrance fee, tuition for training, team dues, etc. I know it has been so taxing to them, too. We usually get home at 8:00 PM everyday due to their practices in which time they start their homework. The homework goes on until 10:30PM to 11:00 PM. I just would like to know if all the expense and all the sacrifice would be worth it when they grow up. I would want them to quit, but I do not want to be the Mom who they talk about in the psychiatrist chair. I need a good reason to tell them why they are quitting.
A: because of their age they are defiantly not going to the olympics of becoming elite. but if they could get to level 9 or 10 by the time they are 17 or 18 they have a real good chance at getting a college scholarship. i was in gymnastics from 3 until i was 13, and i quit because it was just not it anymore. and from everyone i know that is the age most either quit or go on till a high level like 8-10. i wouldn't say cut their dreams and make them quit. talk to them, like make a goal where school comes first, do homework in the car (i did this a lot), and days you don't have gymnastics try and get stuff done for the days they do have gymnastics. as for money, if it is an issue talk to the owner or head coach and see if scholarships are avaliable. a lot of gyms offer them and no one knows. they may help out with competition fees, competitive leos and tuition. hope that helps!