Is 10 too young to specialise in a sport?

[KatyMac]

DD does competitive Ballroom Dancing & this year wants to start racing her dinghy

Both tutors are not very keen on the other sport & say that she has to pick either/or

Whereas I say that with a little flexibility she can do both eg if she misses a class lesson for Ballroom I will pay for a private lesson to make up

& if she needs 4 saturdays to complete her RYA exams I will pick the one least likely to interfere with her Ballroom

Am I being unrealistic?

No - let her do what she wants to do.

She wants to do both

The sailing is less often but when it happens she will miss some dancing - but I am prepared to pay to have her make up he classes surely that is fair

I she wants to do both I would go with it.

My DD does dance, gymnastics and other activities, she is just loving them all and if she wants to specialise later on fine, but at the end of the day she may nver be a star inany of them so why not do a bit of everything she likes (well apart form the cost).

Her granddad pays for the sailing

DH is a dance teacher so he trade private lessons for other people for her expenses in the ballroom

So cos isn't an issue (fortunately - otherwise she wouldn't have either tbh)

So, if she wants to do both and you have the finance available to provide it - then let her....

If you don't then she may rebel against what she is left with. She may be a champion dinghy racer as well as a ballroom champ

(Or she may just really love doing them and not excel at either in which case, no harm done) IME teachers are remarkably blinkered and view other involvement in sports/ disciplines as a personal affront! My gym teacher was like that....

Well she voluntarily split with her very odd ballet teacher & tbh 2 activities are enough at the expected participation this year

I do hope tho' that I am not being a 'stage' mother about it all or living through her

I would say on the strength of the last sentence - you are not, otherwise you wouldn't be thinking about it.

As long as she wants to do it and is never forced into it then there's no problem IMO

No I am not keen on 'I can't be bothered today' but I always listen to what she isn't saying - iykwim

Fingers crossed I don't scar her for life

I know exactly what you mean - it's a fine line to determine whether they're being lazy or genuinely don't want to carry on with something!

Grr children

I don't think ten is too young to specialise if the child wants to specialise. In this case, though, she doesn't, and the two should be perfectly workable together (practiaclly and financially). Under those circumstances, why on earth should she specialise? It's supposed to be enjoyable, after all.

sports teachers are notorious for thinking talented children should give 100% to their particular sport and no other. To be fair, if your child is an aspiring olympian they are probably right, but if (like most kids) they're doing it for fun then it's best to just ignore the coaches imo.

there's apparently some rules coming out in the autumn which say that no-one under 9 should be allowed to specialise in any sport - there will be restrictions as to the maximum level they are able to compete at. Not that this applies to the OP, but thought it was interesting.

That is interesting and long overdue imo. I was hothoused as a gymnast from the age of about 7-8 and consequently took part in no other sports because they would 'develop the wrong muscle tone' ....well I didn't develop the wrong muscle tone but it did screw my back and joints up for good and left me with no interest in other sports when my gymnastic career ended abruptly aged 13-14. I am also absolutely crap at team games......

That's why in part, Wisteria, that I am keen for her to do both

I personally I think children should be able to have a go at lots of different sports and only if they what to take a sport to a high level should be expected to commit to that sport.
DD 6 has tried ballet, gymnastics, trampolining, jazz dance, riding and lastly swimming so far the only one she really got into is swimming.
For her age she is a very good swimmer and has swimming lessons twice week and wants more and is starting 3 lessons a week from next week.I would not make her swim if she didn't really want too. Even if she got really good.
Too many child with talent get pushed to early and lose all intrest just when they start to get really good.

I agree Lexcat DD has given up Gym, Ballet, Modern & Swimming

Browies now guides seem perpetual but piano is on a dodgy wicket atm