Mike
Well-Known Member
Part 1
Had to make a really tough decision a few weeks ago. We were analyzing our budget, including plans for a home purchase once depreciation is over with on my truck.
The tough decision was that we were going to pull our youngest daughter out of her gymnastics training. She has done this for a while, on a smaller level, when we lived down in south Arkansas. A year after moving up to Northwest Arkansas, we got her enrolled into a new gym. We toured the place and I became overwhelmed with the banners and trophies. Absolute best gym in the area.
It cost a little more than the old place we were at, but still wasn't too bad, so we signed her up. The teachers were top notch, and she immediately excelled. Not long into her weekly classes, the instructor came to us asking if we would be interested in entering her into the tryouts for "pre team". They basically do routines like the team gymnasts, but don't travel. They simply have local meets (against each other, not other gyms) so we can see their progress. We debated about it for a week or so, worried she might be too young. In the end, thanks to me being pushy about it, we decided to let her try out. We watched the tryouts, and when it was over, I told my wife that she made the team. It was going to be two weeks before they let us know, but I already knew. She literally blew the others away.
Two weeks later, we get the letter that she made it, along with the increased practice time and cost. No problem, we can afford it (I assured my wife). I tend to live in the moment and not think ahead, LOL. So, now, instead of an hour per week, she is now on a training schedule, year around. The new training schedule is 3 hours training sessions, two days per week.
Pretty cool, figure she will be doing this for a couple years, as she is only 7 years old. So, for the course of this past year, we have attended her in house meets, and once again, she literally blew the competition away. Inside, I am getting a bit nervous about how fast she is picking all this up.
Christmas comes, and Santa brought her mats and a beam to practice at home. Not a minute goes by that she isn't turning flips and scaring me to death, but on the outside I act like it isn't bothering me at all.
Couple months ago, they had tryouts for all the pre team members (pre team is levels 1 and 2). This was to see if any were ready for team competition. So, they have their tryouts. We could only watch through a window and they were trying out with the more advanced instructors. Once again, I walked out saying she did amazing and confident she made the team. We began to discuss money, not knowing how much it would cost at the team level.
A few days later, they announced the results. They not only said she made it to level 3 team, they said they think she will work with them for the summer, and likely move on to level 4.
Oh, and they gave us the information. Now, it's 3 4 hour training sessions per week (while in level 3). Not 1 leotard, but multiple ones for the different meets in multiple states, travel costs, meet fees, and the tuition just jumped way up again.
This was it, I was officially in so far over my head that there was no way out. I had piled everything I could possibly pile onto my shoulders and could no longer hold the weight. I've always been able to accomplish whatever was thrown in front of me. This time, I had no answer. After some long financial discussions, we decided that we simply couldn't do this.
I was heartbroken, literally in tears on multiple occasions. This hurt deep.
I broke the news to her, and she took it with a smile on her face in front of me. She acted like she was fine. She refuses to show any weakness with me, always the tough girl.
I went back out on the road, and she broke down and lost it with mom. Momma told me, and I lost it again. So disappointed in myself.
Had to make a really tough decision a few weeks ago. We were analyzing our budget, including plans for a home purchase once depreciation is over with on my truck.
The tough decision was that we were going to pull our youngest daughter out of her gymnastics training. She has done this for a while, on a smaller level, when we lived down in south Arkansas. A year after moving up to Northwest Arkansas, we got her enrolled into a new gym. We toured the place and I became overwhelmed with the banners and trophies. Absolute best gym in the area.
It cost a little more than the old place we were at, but still wasn't too bad, so we signed her up. The teachers were top notch, and she immediately excelled. Not long into her weekly classes, the instructor came to us asking if we would be interested in entering her into the tryouts for "pre team". They basically do routines like the team gymnasts, but don't travel. They simply have local meets (against each other, not other gyms) so we can see their progress. We debated about it for a week or so, worried she might be too young. In the end, thanks to me being pushy about it, we decided to let her try out. We watched the tryouts, and when it was over, I told my wife that she made the team. It was going to be two weeks before they let us know, but I already knew. She literally blew the others away.
Two weeks later, we get the letter that she made it, along with the increased practice time and cost. No problem, we can afford it (I assured my wife). I tend to live in the moment and not think ahead, LOL. So, now, instead of an hour per week, she is now on a training schedule, year around. The new training schedule is 3 hours training sessions, two days per week.
Pretty cool, figure she will be doing this for a couple years, as she is only 7 years old. So, for the course of this past year, we have attended her in house meets, and once again, she literally blew the competition away. Inside, I am getting a bit nervous about how fast she is picking all this up.
Christmas comes, and Santa brought her mats and a beam to practice at home. Not a minute goes by that she isn't turning flips and scaring me to death, but on the outside I act like it isn't bothering me at all.
Couple months ago, they had tryouts for all the pre team members (pre team is levels 1 and 2). This was to see if any were ready for team competition. So, they have their tryouts. We could only watch through a window and they were trying out with the more advanced instructors. Once again, I walked out saying she did amazing and confident she made the team. We began to discuss money, not knowing how much it would cost at the team level.
A few days later, they announced the results. They not only said she made it to level 3 team, they said they think she will work with them for the summer, and likely move on to level 4.
Oh, and they gave us the information. Now, it's 3 4 hour training sessions per week (while in level 3). Not 1 leotard, but multiple ones for the different meets in multiple states, travel costs, meet fees, and the tuition just jumped way up again.
This was it, I was officially in so far over my head that there was no way out. I had piled everything I could possibly pile onto my shoulders and could no longer hold the weight. I've always been able to accomplish whatever was thrown in front of me. This time, I had no answer. After some long financial discussions, we decided that we simply couldn't do this.
I was heartbroken, literally in tears on multiple occasions. This hurt deep.
I broke the news to her, and she took it with a smile on her face in front of me. She acted like she was fine. She refuses to show any weakness with me, always the tough girl.
I went back out on the road, and she broke down and lost it with mom. Momma told me, and I lost it again. So disappointed in myself.
and there aint' any way you are not gonna go
To your daughter Mike!
