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Parenting

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Original poster

Could gymnastics take over our lives?

15 replies

onemoremother · 25/02/2011 18:44

I am considering taking my son gymnastics, if he likes the idea and enjoys going.

He is 4. I have a dd 1yr old. I am just a bit worried that in the event he is any good it may take over our whole lives!

Does anyone have any opinions?

Both my husband and I work full time and husband is a shift worker.

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Hassled · 25/02/2011 18:46

Any extra-curriculum activity can take over your life, and if you're going to pick one then gymnastics is at least nice to watch.

It could be worse - you could end up in the situation where every single weekend morning from now until the next decade will be spent at the side of a football field.

FreudianSlippery · 25/02/2011 18:46

Relax! He's only 4, and may not even like it that much (ie enough to compete etc)

Tbh anything could take over your life if they get to that level! Just provide him with opportunities to try different activities and see where it takes you.

ZZZenAgain · 25/02/2011 18:47

why would it take over your whole life? Even if he was really really good, he'd be doing it maybe 3 x a week when he is older and could probably get there and back alone, don't you think?

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ChrissyHynde · 25/02/2011 18:49

He's only 4, give the guy a chance to enjoy a few things and see where it leads but dont jump the gun and think he's heading for the Olympics or something!!!!

Feelingabitofatwat · 25/02/2011 19:12

To all of you saying He's only 4...

My son has just turned 6 and doing ten hours of gymnastics per week. I am dreading the next step up which is 15 hours.

The club is a half an hour drive away so I have to keep DS1 up to come and pick DS2 up at 9pm at night, three nights a week. And again on a Saturday afternoon.

Gymnastics is an invitation only sport at club level. We were obviously proud that DS2 was "invited" but were unaware of the commitment involved. Leotards for boys cost £40. We've just been billed for a £70 club tracksuit. Subs are £70 per month which is actually fab, as it works out less than £2 per coaching hour.

Oh...and you're not allowed to watch incase the precious darlings fall off! DS2 is in love with the sport however, and the role models in the club are superb. I will continue letting it take over my life whilst DS2 wants it to.

ramonaquimby · 25/02/2011 19:19

your 6 year old does an activity til 9pm 3x a week?

wow

rickymummy · 25/02/2011 19:27

ramon - my friend's 7 year old daughter is the same. She is mad about gymnastics, and goes to a club. I think she's pretty much the same as Feeling's son, around 10 hours per week, soon to move up to next level. Friend is also not allowed to watch, and she has had concerns about whether it is too much for her, but daughter is very keen and starting to compete now.

ragged · 25/02/2011 19:39

Our local gymstic club does not demand that level of commitment. DD (9) started gymnastics classes 6 months ago, she does just the one hour of gymstic/week, with no hint of more time needed.

The local swimming club, however ... 3 hours training/week as a minimum.

rickymummy · 25/02/2011 19:45

The gym club my friend's daughter goes to is coached by commonwealth coaches etc. They are basically looking for the next olympic champs, and I guess they have to start young.

DontCallMeBaby · 25/02/2011 19:47

DD is nearly 7, does gymnastics, trampolining and swimming - none of which have taken over our lives. Obviously this is because she's not THAT good at any of them, but she's not bad either (won her age group in the last trampoline club competition, but hasn't been invited onto the squad, and there is one child of about her age on it). If she did get good at one of her activities, and was asked to do hours of training, DH and I would have to think about it ... of course I'd be the one who would feel like crap if we said 'no', or the one to ferry her about if we said 'yes', but nonetheless it IS the grown-ups' decision! And it is a big 'if' - she may just carry on doing these things recreationally, she may give them up next term.

I love gymnastics though - I have to watch once a term. The rest of the time, I spend just short of an hour having tea and cake in the lovely pub over the road.

susanbanthony · 25/02/2011 19:54

It could be worse. At least its indoors, you only have to drop off and pick up (in our club you need to sign in and out until they are 16 so they can't go on their own), its long enough so you don't have to hang around unlike swimming when they are 30 min sessions for years and don't go up to over an hour until teenage really. My 7yo only trains 6 hours a week and is on the squad and I don't think it is too bad. Swimming and ice skating are awful because you need to have ice time/pool time at insane hours. At least the gym is for the club rather than the public. You shouldn't stop him doing it in case at some point in the future he might get invited to increase his hours.

KateF · 25/02/2011 19:58

When dd1 started a little ballet class aged 4 little did I know that 7 years later she would be doing 5-6 hours lessons per week and I would be travelling all over the place to festivals at weekends!

Clary · 25/02/2011 23:18

I wouldn't worry too much about it taking over at the minute.

If yr DS turns out to be Olympic class (or even county) then there will be a lot of training; but why not take him for an hour a week at first and see how you go!

TBH yes any extra-curricular activity can take over if you let it; a friend had a DD who skated (20 miles away) 4 times a week including one at 7am; in the end they did nothing else so knocked it on the head.

OTOH my ds2 plays football and loves it but it is well under control, timewise.

He also does gym btw but clearly not to the level of some on here! It's good for balance and co-ordination so excellent for football

Original poster

onemoremother · 26/02/2011 08:30

The reason I am concerned is that I danced when I was a girl and ended up doing it every night and every weekend with festivals and I went to a special dance school 60 miles away every saturday all day. I did enjoy it and there was absolutely no pressure to continue and that is how it would be with my son, no pressure at all from me.

I guess I know what may happen, and no, ferrying and waiting is not really my issue, it is not ever being able to have a family weekend away because he has to train.

It is too soon to tell and I either take him recreational and decline any possible invites to do more, or let him do more and withdraw him if it gets too much.

It is better than him sitting around watching DVD's or playing computer games as he gets older all night/weekend and will certainly be good for his physical health.

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SnapFrakkleAndPop · 26/02/2011 08:40

Yes it can take over your life if he's good, but you seem aware of that. He might be good, he might not - there's no 'will' about anything. Just start off and see how it goes.

Do be aware, though, that it can get very intense very quickly and I'd advise re-evaluating each time a change is proposed. Obviously if he's really good then you'll want him to continue as far as his talent tales him but if he's above average it's worth considering the gym/life balance before you take in any other commitment.

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