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AIBU?

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Original poster

WIBU to say 16 year old can't join gymnastics??

90 replies

dreamball · 07/07/2017 19:52

There is an adult class starting at our local club, she'd like to go along. It clearly says a lot of the time it's ex gymnasts who attend with some beginners. However, I don't think she's going to get to the point she wants to in her head. She very much dreams of training all week and being able to flip, etc.

I have suggested yoga.

WIBU?

OP posts:
BeepBeepMOVE · 07/07/2017 20:22

Although at 16 I think most are paying for own hobbies even if it is from allowance rather than earn money.

Penfold007 · 07/07/2017 20:22

Why are you crushing her dreams and aspirations? If you can afford the class let her give it a go.

Dixiestamp · 07/07/2017 20:24

I realise it's not the same but my friend has just started ballet at 42!

NuffSaidSam · 07/07/2017 20:24

'Are you the poster who's daughter wanted to take up diving?!'

That is exactly what I thought when I read the OP.

We obviously spend too much time here.

It's a remarkably similar post, if not by the same poster.

TinselTwins · 07/07/2017 20:25

It's a known fact that you need to start gymnastics young. I'm just worried that she has an unrealistic expectation

Bollocks, it's not about getting to olympic level or nothing, there is an in-between. I know two people who took up gymnastic type sports as adults who now run their own businesses out of it!

OverthinkingSpartacus · 07/07/2017 20:26

She might be great at it, and in time learn the things she wants.
She might not be great but just have fun trying.
She might not be great and hate the whole thing.

Only way she can find out is by trying it for herself.

SpuriouserAndSpuriouser · 07/07/2017 20:27

Ok, you say you are not the poster, fine. It's just this all sounds so familiar.

FGS we have a massive obesity problem in this country. We know that the prime time for girls to drop out of sports is during their teen years. If your teenage girl wants to take up a sport, one that she could get great enjoyment from, where she could meet new people, and that would keep her active, then you should encourage her!

fanfrickintastic · 07/07/2017 20:29

Also, I started cheerleading at uni. They took girls who had never done gymnastics, ballet, tap etc. Turned us in to back flippers, jumpers, dancers etc got us doing the splits mid-air, touching our ponytails with our heels. 16 is definitely not too old.

MatildaTheCat · 07/07/2017 20:29

If we only ever tried new activities with the view to becoming experts surely we would miss out on so much fun? Many adults don't learn to do things otherwise? Skiing, scuba, flying, dancing, fencing, boxing, piano, bridge....we can learn and benefit all our lives.

At 16 she's way too young to be having anyone put her off trying things.

theymademejoin · 07/07/2017 20:31

My dd took up rhythmic gymnastics at 14. She won silver at the nationals within a year (admittedly at novice level, but still).

What's the worst that can happen? She tries it for a term and hates it?

indigox · 07/07/2017 20:32

How many of her ambitions have you crushed because you're such a bitter misery?

LazyDailyMailJournos · 07/07/2017 20:33

Do you do anything purely for the enjoyment of it OP? Or do you only do things that you know you will be good at?

It's a strange attitude to teach your daughter; that she shouldn't try anything if she doesn't think she'd be successful. Isn't the joy of a hobby that you love doing it?

Mummyoflittledragon · 07/07/2017 20:33

YWbu. Why stifle your child?

slkk · 07/07/2017 20:33

My dh started going to adult gym with his 16year old. Lots of fun, everyone working their own level. Both enjoyed it and developed physically. Lots of ex gymnasts or cheerleaders but a good variety. You should go with her!

NotACleverName · 07/07/2017 20:34

YABU and a massive misery to boot.

RideOn · 07/07/2017 20:34

I think the best sports/exercise is the one you want to do/enjoy!
So YABU, she might not get to the point she thinks she can in her head (I often have unrealistic expectations like this and I think it is my best attribute! I look back and think "well at least I aimed high" or "at least I had a go" or "it could have worked" or sometimes it does work!!)

Kariana · 07/07/2017 20:39

I'm getting serious deja vu here, someone posted this almost word for word a few months back, including the follow up about 'i thought you had to be young...' etc.

Assuming you aren't the same person you'd be a pretty horrible parent to not let her have a go simply because you think she won't be that good. She'll probably enjoy it, it will teach her that she needs to persevere to achieve results and at 16 is young enough that she actually has a chance of reaching a reasonably good standard anyway.

PurplePeppers · 07/07/2017 20:40

We've had a similar thread going on not so long ago.

Just let her be. She is nearly an adult and you can NOT dictate what she does and doesn't anymore. Not at that level. Heck I woudnt do it in this way with a 10yo!

As for suggesting yoga instead of gymnastic..... can you not see the difference in between them? Does it matter if she is becoming good at it or not? Isn't the point that she enjoys it, gets some exercise etc... just like you would with yoga?

WomblingThree · 07/07/2017 20:41

I'm fairly sure it's been gymnastics before. Does it have anything to do with the outfits that are worn?

Original poster
dreamball · 07/07/2017 20:43

No Confused the adult class doesn't require an outfit. Clearly lots of people who agree with me if there have been similar threads!!

OP posts:
SpuriouserAndSpuriouser · 07/07/2017 20:43

Last time was diving, but I'm pretty sure I remember ballet too. It could have been gymnastics though.

bbcessex · 07/07/2017 20:44

Definitely let her try it if she fancies it.

If she's harbouring dreams of flicks and back tucks , she'll soon learn that an awful lot of work and hours goes in to getting to that standard.

My DDs gym has adult / 16+ sessions. None of the members are particularly skilled but they certainly keep coming back and enjoying it..

Glumglowworm · 07/07/2017 20:46

Yabu

Yes she's too old to become an Olympic gymnast

But 99.9999% of kids who start gymnastics as small children also won't become Olympic gymnasts

Let her join, have fun, keep fit, learn some cool tricks, work for and achieve goals

If she hates it she can stop.

fudgefeet · 07/07/2017 20:46

I learnt how to do Ariels and windmills ( breakdancing) when I was 22 and I had no background in gymnastics. I did a lot of strength training from about 18 and stretched everyday. It was hard going but I really wanted them and looking back now I would never have been as for as I was if I hadn't set myself a goal.

fudgefeet · 07/07/2017 20:47
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