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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not let daughter do cheerleading?

464 replies

undercoverfunster · 13/02/2020 13:41

Am I BU? She's 8, school have a cheerleading club once a week. ( they don't actually cheer a team, just learn routines) Some of the 'cool' girls do it, so now she wants to. I think it's pointless, sexist and outdated. And the 'cool' girls are also the not-very-nice ones in her year, who make fun of her for being in the football team.

She''s a VERY active kid, plays football and tennis competitively, swims, runs, plays basketball. All of which she loves so doesn't need the exercise.

She has tried various 'girls' activities over the years ( to try to keep in with the 'cool' girls) but gets bored of them quickly ( dance, gymnastics, musical theatre, ballet, netball).

I just think cheerleading is shite! And sends the wrong message to girls - don't cheer for the team be IN the bloody team.
And I sure a heck don't want her quitting something useful to try it for 2 months and get bored...

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
FromEden · 13/02/2020 16:29

^This. Prancing around and dancing by the track? It's not a sport, it's a load of rubbish.

Yeah except that not what it is. Are people deliberately ignoring the replies explaining this?

StarlightLady · 13/02/2020 16:31

Like itvor not, I don’t think it is worth making an issue about.

InfiniteSheldon · 13/02/2020 16:32

Yabvvu and bigoted it's a hard core gymnastic sport for boys and girls just because it has a female origin doesn't make it wrong

LaurieMarlow · 13/02/2020 16:35

Dancing is active, social, fun. Good for timing, musicality, control and self expression. All great things.

OP you need to have a think about why you value football but not dance. What’s that about?

Have you absorbed a very male focused view of what constitutes ‘proper’ exercise?

totallyradllama · 13/02/2020 16:35

Isn't it easier to let her do it and get bored of it though? Vs I really wanted to do cheerleading and you wouldn't let me

Bringringbring · 13/02/2020 16:36

Op
Your issue is that your daughter seems to give things a go for a few weeks and then bails and wants do something new.

Your call but to have switched half a dozen after school activities by the age of 8.... not something I’d be encouraging

Great to try new stuff but got it give it more than a few weeks / term!

85notout · 13/02/2020 16:37

hard core gymnastic sport for boys and girls

hard core gymnastic sport ? Pull the other one.

I agree it is suitable for boys and girls, as is any activity.

Original poster
undercoverfunster · 13/02/2020 16:39

'it was literally a dance routine what's wrong with kids learning a dance routine?'

DD has hated every dance thing she's tried. She also quit gymnastics despite being pretty good as she's strong and athletic. She's a runner - on a pitch, on a court. She's fast and routine learning doesn't seem to be her thing.

OP posts:
LaurieMarlow · 13/02/2020 16:40

hard core gymnastic sport ? Pull the other one.

Have you actually seen it done at a high level? Hmm

Northernsoulgirl45 · 13/02/2020 16:41

Yabu. My nephew and his friends didit for a year. Not just for girls.

LaurieMarlow · 13/02/2020 16:41

She's a runner - on a pitch, on a court. She's fast and routine learning doesn't seem to be her thing

She’s only 8 ffs. Why put her in a box?

She wants to give it a go, why not?

EntropyRising · 13/02/2020 16:42

I realise that cheerleading has evolved and it's pretty serious and boys/men do it now and so on but I still do view it as sexist. I grew in the US and was a cheerleader, I was absolutely steeped in it, so my views on it will not be quick to adapt.

That being said, I loved it and I would have felt terribly betrayed had my parents forbade it. Tell her your views and let her make her own decision.

woodn · 13/02/2020 16:42

Cheerleading is a sport. YABVU and so narrow minded and ignorant.

It is not sexist...cheerleaders are Male too.

honeyytoast · 13/02/2020 16:42

Cheerleading is a sport in its own right now, teams compete nationally and it’s very technical. Like a pp said, it’s basically gymnastics. It’s not anything like it used to be

85notout · 13/02/2020 16:43

Have you actually seen it done at a high level?

It's dancing with pom poms...there is no high level.

Original poster
undercoverfunster · 13/02/2020 16:44

Have you absorbed a very male focused view of what constitutes ‘proper’ exercise?

Er, no. I do yoga, pilates, netball, tennis and swim.
DP - tennis, running, zumba, yoga.
DS - dance, tennis, swim, karate, cricket.

I personally didn't like 'dance' as a kid cos I have two left feet, but I love to dance when I'm out, under my own terms!My DS is a dancer, graceful, loves it. Loves Strictly that whole thing,

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 13/02/2020 16:44

It's dancing with pom poms...there is no high level.

You're wrong.

Try googling it.

TatianaLarina · 13/02/2020 16:44

It’s perfectly ok to say no OP. She does plenty of sport already.

One of my sons takes passing fancIes to new musical instruments. He plays piano and violin already and has done since he was young. He fancied an electronic keyboard then drums and saxophone so I said fine in the interests of being a cool mum and broadening his musical education. But I drew the line at bassoon and trumpet. Or rather I said he could swap sax for bassoon if he wanted.

In short: you’re not obliged to indulge all your DCs whims. If cheering doesn’t fit with your schedule and you think it’s a waste of time at 8 - I’m inclined to agree - it’s fine to say no.

I’d suggest if she thinks she might want to do cheering when she’s older to do dance or gymnastics now.

feemcgee · 13/02/2020 16:45

Looks like it's a great opportunity for her to be sociable. My DD is 14 and does it after school, I don't care what exercise she does as long as it's exercise. And it's also a lot of fun.

GreytExpectations · 13/02/2020 16:46

Op you are sexist and just keep changing your story.

Original poster
undercoverfunster · 13/02/2020 16:46

'She wants to give it a go, why not?'

OMG read the thread! TIME! MONEY! She's never liked dancing activities 9 and has tried them all over the years!)

OP posts:
LolaSmiles · 13/02/2020 16:50

That's what I want for DC - for them to have something they love doing so much they can rely on it their whole lives. A healthy habit or hobby that stays with them. It may change, they may end up golfers, or surfers or playing table tennis
If it's perfectly fine and reasonable for their sport to change then there's zero need for the silly comment about cheer as a grandma. You're making an illogical arguement here by suggesting cheer isn't with it as she'd be unlikely to do it as a grandma, give examples of sports you've done consistently, then said you're happy for the healthy habits to change... so it doesn't matter if cheer was part of it.

The healthy habits come from being active and having well rounded general fitness.

LaurieMarlow · 13/02/2020 16:51

OMG read the thread! TIME! MONEY!

Omg, I read your OP. It said this ...

I think it's pointless, sexist and outdated

I just think cheerleading is shite!

Now you’re getting your arse handed to you on those points and you’re changing your story. Nice try.

ShyTown · 13/02/2020 16:52

It's dancing with pom poms...there is no high level
I’m a former national champion cheerleader and I’ve never touched a pair of pom-poms in my life. Why bother posting if you know nothing about it and apparently can’t be bothered to google either?

That said, I do see why the OP is hesitant as this squad doesn’t sound like it’s proper All Star cheer, her DD already does tons of sport and hasn’t stuck with any dance or gymnastics clubs she’s done in the past. I think it’s fine to say no if that’s the reasoning.

ExtraOnions · 13/02/2020 16:53

I can’t be the only one who doesn’t think this is about Cheerleading... more a boast about having an 8 year old that might end up playing professional football ..

..Anyhow, my friends daughter is 10 - plays football and cricket, has been scouted by the local first-class cricket team, and by a local professional football team . Also does Cheerleading, as its fun. When you are playing sport at a higher level, it’s good to have a fun activity to run alongside. Sounds like she won’t stick at it for more than a couple of weeks anyway.