The ten do’s and Don’ts for gymnastics parents

1. Do not impose your ambitions on your child.

Remember that gymnastics is your child’s activity and she will progress at her own speed. It can never be a positive thing when a parent is forcing a child to do a sport that she does not want to do. The best part about gymnastics is that it does not matter whether you finish first or last, rather the wonderful lessons each girl will learn as she strives to do her best.

 2. be supportive no matter what.

There is only one question to ask your child, “Did you have fun?” If meets and practice are not fun, your daughter should not be forced to participate.

 3. Do not coach your child.

You have taken your child to a professional coach; do not undermine that coach by trying to coach your child on the side. Your role is to support, love, and hug your daughter. The coach is responsible for the technical part of the job. You should not offer advice on technique or skill selection. That is not your area. This will only serve to confuse your child and prevent that gymnast/coach bond from forming.

4. only have positive things to say at competitions.

If you are going to attend a gymnastics meet you should cheer and applaud, but never criticize your daughter or her coaches.

5. acknowledge your child’s fears.

It is a normal human reaction for a child to be scared when attempting new skills or competing. Do not yell or belittle your daughter, just assure her that her coach would not have her attempt the skill or put her in the competition if she was not ready for it.

6. do not criticize the judges.

There is much more to judging than you would think and each judge has had to test to do what she/he does. There are many routine requirements that the general spectator is completely unaware of that certainly has a factor on the final score.  No one is perfect but it is without question that they know more than you.

7. Honor your child’s coach.

The bond between coach and gymnast is a special one, and one that contributes to your child’s success as well as enjoyment. Do not criticize her coach in her presence because it will only add to the many distractions she must already deal with during her gymnastics training and performance.

8. do not jump from club to club.

The floor exercise carpet always seems bluer at another gym. Every team has its own internal problems, even teams that build champions. Often times, gymnasts who do switch teams never do better than they did before they sought the “bluer carpet”. However, one club will not please everyone and you need to find the club where you will fit the best.

9. have goals besides winning.

Encourage your daughter to do her best. Giving an honest effort no matter what the outcome is much more important then winning.

10. do not expect your child to become an Olympian.

Your child’s odds of becoming an Olympian are 1 in 114,350. You can understand how difficult it is to become an Olympian because the odds are you have never been one yourself even though you, as a child, probably wanted to be. Gymnastics is much more than the Olympics! Gymnastics teaches so many virtues while building self-esteem, life long friendships and much more. Gymnastics builds good people and you should be happy that your child wants to participate.