is four nights a week too much for 12 year old doing gymnastics

[Liza B]

My daughter has been doing gymnastics for 2 years now, it started 2 hours once a week then 2 and 1/2 hours was added, then  coach said they need another hour to get them up to the same as other clubs, 1/2 hour was later added to that one, they are up to par now and he now wants them to do another 2 hours. I feel the four nights a week is a bit much when she has more homework from the academy and her friends want her to go out with them as well, she is in two minds she likes gymnastics but would like to do other things as well, I think 3 nights a week is enough am I being too fussy? Other parents have said to each other but I am the only one who has said to the coach, who is now being a bit funny with me over it. Any thoughts?

[orange-gnome]

I agree with you liza, it is just too much especially for a 12 yr old!
Does the coach plan to take them to the olympics or something? If he does, then maybe you can understand all the hard work but otherwise honestly whats the point in SO much training. If the kids and parents were as dedicated as him then fine but it doesn't sound like they are!!
Don't let the coach bully you or your daughter.

[JOLC5]

I think that 4 nights a week is far too much for a twelve year old.  It may seem mad but if your daughter wants to do it then let her but if she is unsure and would prefer to do other things then i would leave the option to open to her.  The next few years are important for your daughter and she will need a group of frineds to develop through her teenage years

[ratbag66]

I suppose it depends on what level she is competing at.  My daughter recently gave up swimming aged 13 as she was competing at national level (and had been since the age of 10) and she was expected to train for 5 or 6 evening sessions per week as well as 1 or 2 early morning sessions (starting at 6am!).  You have to be completely dedicated to stick to such a schedule, and her school work was suffering so something had to give.

[dmsjps]

I can see where ratbag is coming from. My cousins swam from a very early age and they went to training every morning at 6am and every night at 6pm - including weekends - then they had to do their homework. The younger one ended up swimming for her county and the older one swam for England against men when he was just a boy, and they had stacks of medals between them.

 

At the end of the day though, what's more important? Children's happiness or coach's? If your daughter is finding it hard to continue with the routine as well as fitting in all her other commitments, let her drop it; the coach will find someone else in time - and if they don't, then tough. If your daughter loves it though, and really wants to continue, then as long as it's not affecting her schooling and social life, is it a problem?

 

It's a hard decision for you both, but all other things told, when you sit down together, you'll come to the right decision.

[Mistopheles]

I agree with everyone! Ratbag makes a good point - it really depends on her level. I was a karate instructor for children, so constantly had the problem of people training too much or too little.

You and your daughter need to make a choice, and then you need to explain this to the coach. If she shows really good promise, loves every minute, and is planning to go professional eventually, then 4 times a week isn't enough. However, for the average child, I'd recommend twice a week.

You need to talk to your daughter about what she wants from this. If she wants more of a life (so to speak), then cut her back to whatever suits her.

When you've made the decision, speak to the coach. Don't start out as if you are blaming him/her, all that'll do is make them harder on your child! Explain why she needs to cut back - don't just say 'she is and that's that'. If the coach isn't understanding, then frankly, she's with the wrong coach. There's a difference between encouraging your students and bullying them!

[Liza B]

Than you for all your replies, since my daughter started at 11 she is too old really to go very far, which is why I feel 4 times a week is too much. she loves doing it though which is why she goes 3 times, if she had started at 5 it would be very different, but there was not a club then.The coach has big plans but forgets that the older ones have started late. I will keep her to 3 times a week and if she feels that she is needing more or being left behind then we will have a re-think.

[smee.tracey]

Voice your concerns to the Centre Manager or whoever is in charge of the facility. Please