For Gymnastics Parents
A message from Frank Shines — father, former gymnast, and coach.
"Gymnastics is one of the most rewarding, joyful and stressful things you will ever experience."
As a father who has walked this path — both as a gymnast who trained alongside Olympic athletes at the United States Air Force Academy and now as a gymnastics dad — I know firsthand the incredible highs and the gut-wrenching lows that come with this sport.
There will be days when your child lands that skill for the first time, and the joy on their face will make every early morning and long drive worth it. And there will be days when scores disappoint, when injuries scare you, and when you wonder if it's all too much.
Here is what I have learned:
Show Unconditional Love and Support
Your child needs to know that your love is not tied to their scores, their placements, or their skills. Win or lose, stuck landing or fall, they need to see the same proud parent in the stands.
Trust the Process
Gymnastics is a long journey. Progress is not always linear. There will be plateaus, setbacks, and growth spurts. Trust your child's coaches and trust the process. The lessons learned along the way matter more than any medal.
Let Them Own Their Journey
This is their sport, their dream, their body. As parents, we are the support system, not the drivers. Let your child develop their own relationship with the sport. The motivation has to come from within.
Take Care of Yourself Too
Being a gymnastics parent is physically, emotionally, and financially demanding. Make sure you are taking care of your own well-being. Find community with other gym parents. You are not alone in this.
Celebrate Every Victory
Not just the big ones. Celebrate the new skill in practice. Celebrate the improved score. Celebrate the courage it takes to get back on the beam after a fall. Every step forward deserves recognition.
The gymnastics community is special. The bonds your family will build — with coaches, with other families, with the sport itself — will last a lifetime.
Enjoy the ride. It goes by faster than you think.
— Frank Shines
Father, Former Gymnast, USAFA Athlete