Mommy22alyns Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 I'm kind of in a weird position and there's no good place for me to talk, but I've found some solace here now and then. My ODD is a competitive gymnast. She is not a phenom, she will never be elite or go to the Olympics, BUT she is very talented, and we're just getting a look at that now. She has a top-notch coach (not unknown in gym world, but not saying the name because the gym world is TINY) who picked her out of a lineup the first day he saw the team and inquired about a "handful" of girls out of over 40, of which DD was one. This coach has decades of experience in elite and college gymnastics. He knows what he's doing. He is also great at parent communication, and has said many times how beautiful DD's form is, that she is very on track and high potential for Div I or II college gym, and just told her last night she could make L7 regionals "easily." The AA score required at states for a L7 to make regionals here is at least 37. I was staggered about the regionals assessment and asked DD if she was sure he said it to HER or to all the girls - he said it to her (not taking anything away from the other girls) because she specifically went up and asked him while the other girls were moving mats elsewhere. This is a huge deal because while she started gymnastics very young, she didn't start competing until she was 9. She hasn't skipped any levels at all, and was getting passed over, belittled, and ignored by her first head coach. Anyway... I feel like I felt when my younger DD was 4 and started reading in the gym lobby when ODD was in a class. Like when you go down that first hill on the roller coaster. :huh: Thanks for letting me babble on. I can't really take it to the hardcore gymnastics boards, because there's 20 people there who will say, "Yeah? I've got a 9 year old L10!" But then it can also get lonely among the regular gym mom crowd. 11 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 :grouphug: the infighting among the parents and among the competitive gymnasts at the gym my kids went to was crazy. It is a lot more cruel than TV drama shows. My kids liked the recreational boys gym there so we go to that center. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MerryAtHope Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 How exciting for your daughter! I hope she keeps excelling at and enjoying her sport. It doesn't matter what others can and cannot do in comparison, and I hope it's a joy for her to explore her art. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sneezyone Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 From what I've seen, some kids aren't stellar compulsory gymnasts but do extremely well in optionals. Sometimes they just take longer to develop, other times they rise to the top through sheer force of will and attrition. The longer DD competes (and she's a newly minted 11yo L6), the more I see that strength/conditioning, power, sturdiness/luck (no injuries), maturity, commitment and drive are so much more important than early compulsory success. It's a marathon, not a sprint. Congrats to your DD! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted October 27, 2015 Share Posted October 27, 2015 I also think that it can be easy for kids who compete at a high level in anything to compare themselves to a really big field without realizing it-and for parents to do the same and forget how much of the iceberg is below the surface. But just because there are 12 yr olds doing calculus doesn't mean that a 12 yr old in Algebra 2 isn't advanced and is showing exceptional promise in math. And it certainly doesn't mean that said 12 yr old's parents can't worry about how they're going to meet that child's needs. The same is true in other fields, too. There are a lot of talented athletes who aren't going to the olympics, but it doesn't mean they're not talented. Your DD is exceptional. Her coach sees it. You are allowed to be proud, to be worried, to be happy, and to be scared. All at the same time. Congratulations to her-and to you! 13 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pegs Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 How wonderful for your daughter that she's finally found an opportunity to have her talents developed. :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommy22alyns Posted October 28, 2015 Author Share Posted October 28, 2015 I also think that it can be easy for kids who compete at a high level in anything to compare themselves to a really big field without realizing it-and for parents to do the same and forget how much of the iceberg is below the surface. But just because there are 12 yr olds doing calculus doesn't mean that a 12 yr old in Algebra 2 isn't advanced and is showing exceptional promise in math. And it certainly doesn't mean that said 12 yr old's parents can't worry about how they're going to meet that child's needs. The same is true in other fields, too. There are a lot of talented athletes who aren't going to the olympics, but it doesn't mean they're not talented. Your DD is exceptional. Her coach sees it. You are allowed to be proud, to be worried, to be happy, and to be scared. All at the same time. Congratulations to her-and to you! I was thinking along those lines in the shower. Just because a gifted kid might not become famous for an invention or a world record, doesn't mean they're not gifted. :) 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Targhee Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 There are so many ways to be gifted - happy for you both! I know that gym is tough work, and that at level 7 you're down to people who have worked hard but they have to have aptitude for it as well, no matter your age :thumbup1: 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobeatenpath Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Congratuations, it is wonderful for your girl to get the recognition she deserves. And I just want to repeat everything said here: I also think that it can be easy for kids who compete at a high level in anything to compare themselves to a really big field without realizing it-and for parents to do the same and forget how much of the iceberg is below the surface. But just because there are 12 yr olds doing calculus doesn't mean that a 12 yr old in Algebra 2 isn't advanced and is showing exceptional promise in math. And it certainly doesn't mean that said 12 yr old's parents can't worry about how they're going to meet that child's needs. The same is true in other fields, too. There are a lot of talented athletes who aren't going to the olympics, but it doesn't mean they're not talented. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Runningmom80 Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 That's so cool! I agree with all of the previous posters, there are many ways to be gifted, and fame/fortune/success doesn't have to be the end goal. It certainly doesn't prove anything. (Not that anyone has anything to prove!) My DD is a budding gymnast. I think she has talent, but she's 5, and right now I am just enjoying watching her do what she loves. I'm a little scared of competitive gymnastics! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deerforest Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Congratulations! I know how you feel; my DD is in a similar place with circus arts but with fewer options than dancers or gymnasts. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maize Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 I'm in a similar situation with a child who is not even particularly gifted in her chosen activity but who has exceptional drive and determination. I will not be at all surprised if she ends up competing at the world championship level because of sheer grit and hard work. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daijobu Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 I don't know much about gymnastics, but your dd sounds pretty awesome. I hope she has many successful seasons! --Vida 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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