What I Learned About Cheerleading

Competitive cheerleading is not the "2, 4, 6, 8 who do we appreciate?" chant complete with pom poms, school colors and wide legged leaps I remember from school days! Cheerleading has come a long way since then.....

This is what I have learned about the competitive sport of cheerleading: Girls and boys too, from tiny to tall doing back flips and handsprings and all manner of stunts...I saw girls with big thighs do the same back flips that skinny girls did. I saw a lot of flabby bellies. I have two thoughts on that: 1) I'm glad that ANY kid has the opportunity to compete regardless of the world's view that only skinny is beautiful and competent and 2) I'm concerned that these kids (including my own!) eat so much junk. What will they look like at 30?

I learned what a "flyer" is. That's the kid who is smaller, lighter and is chosen to be flipped and tossed in the air, who stands on the hands of her team mates and who learns to TRUST that she won't be dropped.....

I learned that competitive cheerleading means routines and dance moves. It means sparkly make-up and mostly raucous music. It means hair flying free and it also means pony tails and pig tails and cascades of curls but always it means hair ribbons! It means team work and lots of practice and....It means disappointment when all that hard work doesn't bring the trophy home......

Still, I'm proud that my daughter is a competitor. I'm proud that she does this because SHE wants to. I'm proud that she isn't afraid to fail. I'm proud that she knows how to be a part of a team. And most importantly of all, I'm proud she doesn't give up!