You’ve made the team! I mean, your son or daughter is the actual athlete, but like or not, you’re both on the team in many ways.Cheer or dance is a big commitment. Your title, in addition to “mom,” now includes chauffeur, costume mistress, and “near broke,” among other things. You’re the cheerleader’s cheerleader.My first year as a competitive cheer mom felt like I was drinking from a firehose. I was always walking around looking like a deer in headlights. "What in the WORLD have we gotten ourselves into?” I would ask my husband on a regular basis. I cried often. I shut down often. I drank…often (once I took a Yeti ... view the post
I’m Not Here to Win
Cheerleading is one of the most competitive sports I know. Cheer is more than the "rah-rah" you picture. Cheerleading is physical, it's mental, and it. Gets. Bloody. Every team wants to beat their own personal best. Still, the process of getting the components needed in that 2:30 routine is all about who's the most skilled, the most creative, the cleanest, the shiniest, the most energetic, and just the overall best. …but I don't really care about whether or not my athlete wins. The sentence above doesn't really match up with who I am and how competitive I actually get. I always want to do better, be better, and ... view the post
The Commitments of Cheerleading
Most of us have probably dabbled in a recreational sport or two. My kids have played t-ball, soccer, and have participated in Tae Kwon Do. Activities, whether they’re athletic or not, are important for our kids’ social and physical development. They don’t have to be competitive, but sometimes there comes a day when your child finds their passion or something he or she is particularly good at and wants to take it to the next level. While I can’t bring expertise on every All-Star sport, there are many things they have in common. Take it from this All-Star Cheer mom, competitive sports are no joke. They’re usually ... view the post
CHEER TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
For your convenience, I have included links to some of the products in this post. I may get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. I only recommend products I would use myself! Click here to read our full privacy policy. After 9 seasons in cheer, we've done our share of traveling. I've seen all kinds of exotic and exciting places, like Columbus, Ohio, and Orlando, Florida. I'm basically a woman of the world. I've learned a few things along the way, either from learning the hard way or getting amazing advice from fellow cheer moms. Whether you're going to Florida for ... view the post