STUFF CHEER PARENTS SAY

One of my favorite things to do at cheer competitions is walking around and listen to the parents talking to their athletes. I laugh every time because cheer parenting is so universal that we’re all saying so many things, exactly the same.

Here are 10 of the most common things I hear cheer parents say (myself included).

I paid all this money for cheer. The least you can do is give me a good picture.

If cheer parents don’t get a good photo, did it even happen? It’s cute how the kids think they’re doing their parents a favor by allowing them to take a picture or that they’re entitled to say no. Um, that’s not going to work for us.

Did they hit?

The athletes have barely left the stage before their parents are all comparing notes to see whether or not they “hit zero,” myself included. Nothing describes the adrenaline rush after watching your kid do a good routine, and you want to know if the judges will give them the points they deserve.

I didn’t see anything, did you?

Did you see a fall? A Stumble? Did someone touch down? Was there ANYTHING that could make them lose points?

Does anybody have hairspray?

It’s a given. Forget your big hair from the 80s; the cheer industry keeps the hairspray business alive today.

Don’t make me call your coach.

Although I’m not an advocate of using your coach as a behavioral weapon against your kid, we. Have. All. Done. It. Coaches are their drill sergeants and biggest mentors. Sometimes the only person a cheerleader will listen to is their coach – especially at a cheer competition.

You better fix that attitude right now, or we’re going straight home.

We, of course, never mean this.

Come here and let me fix you.

There’s always something: smeared lipstick, crooked hair, twisted uniform strap. This comment is always met with the same exact groan from every athlete. It’s like a universal language.

Careful!

This one doesn’t require any explanation. THEY’RE THROWING AND BEING THROWN UP INTO THE AIR!

No tumbling off the couch!

And all the cheer moms said….amen.

It’s going to be HOW much?

‘Nuff said.