How Cheerleaders Can Give You A Migraine from Hell

Once upon a time in a Suburb not far from you was a Mama trying to do right by her 13 year old baby.  Hmm, perhaps thinking of her as my “baby” was indeed my first mistake.

This BlueEyed girl was experiencing all the usual angst of the normal teen girl.  Feeling the pressure of school, noticing the boys were perhaps not as gross as before, and throw in a dash of girl drama just to keep it interesting.  Normal. 

BlueEyed girl continued to be on top of all things academic.  A pluses were the norm, homework not an issue.  Pressure was building for her first Provincial Gymnastics meet, but nothing she couldn’t handle.  Her problem, girl crap.  Not much you can do when there is girl drama but to keep guiding them through, keep encouraging them to be the best person they can be, and always remember the golden rule “Karma is a Bitch”  Do Unto Others. 

Then along came a wonderful opportunity. I won’t say it fell in her lap, because this baby works hard at everything she does.  She was asked to help out a Cheerleading team going to a National Cheerleading competition.  One of the girls on this great team had torn her ACL.  They needed an experienced and strong tumbler fast.  My BlueEyed girl was honoured to be asked. 

Hubby and I made her THINK long and hard before she gave the team her yes.  She wanted to do this.  To help the team, to impress her gym coach and most of all, she thought it would be a chance to meet some nice girls.  Oh good grief I was all over this one.  More nice girls can only be a good thing right?? (and I may add again BOO to mean girls)

Fast forward a week.

We had Drama People.  Imagine this.  My A type personality babe could not learn an entire cheerleading routine (that the team have been working on for an entire year) in two sessions. She felt defeated, was weepy and was calling herself “Not good enough.”  There were tears.  Lots of “I Can’t Do It”.  Slamming Doors. Crossed Arms.  Upset Stomachs.  Did I mention Tears.  AHHHHHH Where is my manual for how to inspire confidence, encourage and make my baby happy without feeling like I wanted to pull my hair out?   Ever feel like you are fighting an uphill battle?

At this point I’m hoping Kelly Clarkson is right with her “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!”, cause this Mama is pulling out every parenting trick in the book to get through this Cheerleading hell. 

My lesson, sometimes the very best of intentions can come back and bite you in the ass.  Here’s hoping it get’s better, for all of us, like really soon.

Feel free to send wine.