Back to School Adjustments
Your gymnast has trained all summer. They were able to eat, sleep, and breathe gymnastics from the time they woke up until they went to bed. It was glorious! But now, you're looking for back-to-school tips for gymnasts.
Because now, in addition to all the regular kid grumbling about going back to school, you have to deal with 24/7 gymnastics training withdrawal!
Don’t worry though! We’ve got 3 very important back-to-school tips for gymnasts and gym moms and dads!
Back-to-School Tips - #1 Be Patient
This advice is for you and your gymnast! Be patient with them in getting used to their new schedule.
It’s not just that they can’t focus exclusively on gymnastics, but they have a new class schedule and maybe even a new school if they’ve graduated from kindergarten, elementary school or junior high. That’s hard enough on any kid, no less someone who is still trying to maintain a high level of gymnastics training or who wants to compete and win in gymnastics.
Remind your gymnast to be patient with themselves and remind yourself to be patient with them! And how about a reward or treat for surviving their first week of school? A new leotard would be a perfect gift!
Back-to-School Tips - #2 Get Nutritional Support and Hydrate
Our oldest generation of Snowflake gymnasts remember when school started after Labor Day, don’t you? It would usually be warm, but it wasn’t summertime-hot like it is when going back to school in August.
Make sure your gymnast is getting a good breakfast and lunch (and that they are eating it!) and remind them to hydrate - a lot! It’s hard when they go back to school and might not be able to carry a water bottle with them. They’ll be used to being able to get a drink when they need it, so remind them to take advantage of every opportunity such as recess, walking between classes, and of course PE!
Back-to-School Tips - #3 Beware of Injury
It might seem like they’ll be less likely to be injured since they’re reducing their volume of training, right? Not quite, the overall stress on their bodies from school, gymnastics, homework, and PE can add up. Check-in with them regularly to see how they’re feeling and if they’re not too fatigued or stressed.
Because gymnasts are so mentally tough, they often don’t complain until it’s too late. Remind them that it’s not complaining, it’s feedback so that you and they can adjust or add support when it’s needed before it’s too late.
They’re also probably getting less sleep. We remember when our kids were in gymnastics and school, they’d be up at 6 a.m. to get ready for school, then they’d train and then have hours of homework. Sometimes no one in the house would get to bed before 10 p.m. … which was stressful on everyone!
In these last few weeks before school, now is the time to prepare. Remember, this is a big adjustment for you and your gymnast. These back-to-school tips for gymnasts will help you plan ahead and be ready for problems and just plain tough days.
