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

[dreamball]

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?

I'm 38 and starting and adult gymnastics class in August. It started here in the summer term and doesn't run in the school holidays (Scotland) I've seen other women my age since Easter manage to get down into the splits and do flips so I'd imagine that at 16 she's got a better chance than me. At 16 I was still fairly bendy without gymnastics.
Her desire to do something fitness related should be commended rather than scorned.

She might just find it FUN and ENJOY it.

Great first post by the way

I was looking at adult gym. You'd probably keep over if you saw me, if you think your young, healthy 16 year old is past it.

'Clearly lots of people agree with me'!

Nobody's agreeing with you though?

I remember the Ballet one, it's a bit like Groundhog Day round here

I think not getting to the point you imagine in your head is pretty normal in life to be honest and seems like a poor reason for not trying something. I take adult swimming lessons and dream of gliding smoothly through the water, I may or may not get there but I will get better and fitter in the process. Your dd should be encouraged to try anything fitness related that appeals to her and I say this as someone who likes yoga.

She's not likely to become very high standard at yoga either, why is it any different to gymnastics? Let her try and find out for herself if it's what she wants.

Clearly lots of people who agree with me if there have been similar threads!!

They were joyless wasp chewers. 🐝 🐝 🐝

You wanna be like that?

'less overtly flipping around and doing yourself a mischief'

Clearly lots of people who agree with me if there have been similar threads!!

Well, maybe two or three out of the millions on MN ...

Ummm why don't you have her call up whoever is giving the class to discuss what's actually on offer, how it may match her expectations, and how the teacher thinks she would fit in?

At 16, I would expect a % money or in-kind contribution from my kid (for the kit as well as the classes) as well as a commitment to stick with it for a minimum length of time if it goes ahead. There'd be a bit of negotiation about how she was getting to and from the classes, and curfews/limits around any extra-curricular training or socializing (especially if classmates are significantly older).

Once these bases were covered, I'd leave her to her own devices and support it. It would be hard to pick an activity which underlines more boldly how much success is built on practice and dedication. A good lesson for a 16yo, no?

Why on earth would you want to discourage her from doing something that's healthy, fun, teaches discipline and is sociable? I really can't think of a single negative.

Presumably you think I'm an idiot for starting the guitar at 45. I'll never be concert-standard but who GAF? I like it, it relaxes me and it's good to keep learning new stuff throughout your life.

Way to go OP! Try and stamp out any ambition and desire for progression for your daughter. What would you prefer, a nice safe hobby like knitting maybe (not offence meant to any knitters out there!) or might you deem her being rubbish at that too.
She's your DD for goodness sake, embrace and support her ideas and desires.