parenting a gymnast

This is a follow-up to last weeks post title NIGHTMARE SPORTS PARENTS.

Rebecca and others linked to an article by an award winning teacher and author, Ron Clark:

… new teachers remain in our profession an average of just 4.5 years, and many of them list “issues with parents” as one of their reasons for throwing in the towel. Word is spreading, and the more negativity teachers receive from parents, the harder it becomes to recruit the best and the brightest out of colleges.

… Please quit with all the excuses

… if you really want to help your children be successful, stop making excuses for them. I was talking with a parent and her son about his summer reading assignments. He told me he hadn’t started, and I let him know I was extremely disappointed because school starts in two weeks.
His mother chimed in and told me that it had been a horrible summer for them because of family issues they’d been through in July. I said I was so sorry, but I couldn’t help but point out that the assignments were given in May. She quickly added that she was allowing her child some “fun time” during the summer before getting back to work in July and that it wasn’t his fault the work wasn’t complete. …

CNN – What teachers really want to tell parents

These are some key points of advice for parents included in the free Tumbl Trak email newsletter (Subscribe):

Success can be defined as:

Healthy and happy kids
Assertive and positive attitudes
Reaching “their” highest potential
Enjoying gymnastics long into college and beyond

Successful programs:

Parents were always openly supportive of the program
Parents openly communicated with coaches about concerns
Parents were very helpful at meets and other special events
Parents taught their kids Ethics, Morals and Character but left Gymnastics to the PROS …

DO encourage your child to attend every workout
DON’T force them to go when they are sick or visibly very tired

DO be supportive when they have a bad workout and come home depressed
DON’T ask your coach for a conference every time it happens

DO expect your child to try their very best at every practice and competition
DON’T base your approval of them on their gymnastics performance

DO come to watch your child train occasionally and ask questions
DON’T coach your child…..PERIOD

DO talk to your coach about their plans for the year and years to come
DON’T question their coach’s authority regarding your daughter’s gymnastics career

DO get involved in your club. Help out at big functions. Show your daughter you care
DON’T expect or demand special consideration because you helped out

DO come and watch your child compete as much as possible
DON’T scream and yell and distract your daughter’s attention during the meet

DO assume your coaches have prepared your child adequately for the meet
DON’T question their judgment when last minute changes are made, or when a coach spots during a meet

DO expect your child’s coach to train her to the best of their ability
DON’T expect perfection…the coaches (and your child) are human

DO encourage proper nutrition at home and when eating out
DON’T talk the talk but not walk the walk. Eat right too.

DO take an active interest in your child’s progress and performance
DON’T undermine her coach’s authority in matters regarding gymnastics

DO constantly remind your child that you love them unconditionally, regardless of their performance
DON’T compare their progress with others…PERIOD

DO give full support to your coach
DON’T hesitate to take your child somewhere else if they will get better training

DO remember why you and your child got involved in the sport
DON’T forget that they love gymnastics because it’s FUN….

… I’ve very rarely had a serious problem. Working with parents is a coaching skill. Rather than wasting time and energy complaining, work on improving your communication with parents.