This energy isn't just on the mat, it's everywhere within the walls that host the cheer competition. The kids feed off of it and in my opinion so do some of the parents. It's honestly exhausting and that's why they call the Monday following a cheer competition "Cheer Hangover " I get the reason why, kids are cranky from eating way too much sugar, and cranky from coming down off of a huge adrenaline dump. However, I do hate the term Cheer Hangover. According to the Mayo Clinic "A hangover is a group of unpleasant signs and symptoms that can develop after drinking too much alcohol." By calling the day following all the excitement a cheer hangover you are correlating the two. Why would we do that? I could honestly go on and on about the stats of alcohol abuse in this country and that the average age to start drinking is 12 years old but this post isn't about that. It's about how to survive the competition if you are not well.
So you're sick and I don't mean cough, cough, hack, hack kind of sick. I mean non functioning, unwell, hole in your head kind of sick, like me, here's my way of getting through a Cheer Competition:
Know your triggers and scout them out, then avoid, avoid, avoid. For me it's fast moments and flashing lights. There was a photographer set up right in front of the section where our team was sitting in the stands. Instantly I knew I couldn't sit there. As far as the fast movement goes, go high, as high into the stands as you can get. The higher up you are the less chaos you have to look at. There is a sensory over load that comes from hundreds of cheerleaders running about. Lessen it by taking it out of your field of vision.
Ear plugs, yes ugly, but they help to drown out the screaming that comes from the sheer excitement of it all. There is nothing more intense then holding your breathe for your child's team to hit their stunts and when they do the crowd of parents let out a roar. Ear plugs are your friends.
Find out from a reliable source if the event is running on time. Arriving early is great for your kid, painful for you. Sunday I started to cry when I found out it was running an hour behind. You have no idea how long an hour is when you would rather be someplace quiet.
Bring food!!! Bring healthy food. There are so many option of sugar for your child to eat and of course a little is fun and yummy. However, consuming a lot will burn your athlete out fast. Don't forget about yourself, you too need healthy food and remember to bring extra water.
Bring hand sanitizer and/or hand wipes. I bring both because I know there are people there who are sick, as in contagious sick, you know the cough cough, hack hack kind of sick. There is no way these parents are going to miss their child compete no matter how they feel. I understand that one, hence the reason I tough it out. So bring lots of hand sanitizer and hope for the best.
Always and I mean ALWAYS speak kindly and clap for other teams. They have worked just as hard as your child's club and team. Chances are good if you are not able to sit with your club due to no seating or as in my case, flashing lights, you are sitting amongst "the competition." Sometimes the parents need this lesson more then the kids do...*cough just saying!
Learn to say "I'm done" and tell your kid that. Chances are if your sick, your child has already learned to recognize those symptoms.
Remind yourself that as hard as it is to be there, you wouldn't miss her compete for the world. You know the amount of hours that have gone into a routine, suck it up and find a way to get through the day, even if all you can do is the 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
Bring hand sanitizer and/or hand wipes. I bring both because I know there are people there who are sick, as in contagious sick, you know the cough cough, hack hack kind of sick. There is no way these parents are going to miss their child compete no matter how they feel. I understand that one, hence the reason I tough it out. So bring lots of hand sanitizer and hope for the best.
Always and I mean ALWAYS speak kindly and clap for other teams. They have worked just as hard as your child's club and team. Chances are good if you are not able to sit with your club due to no seating or as in my case, flashing lights, you are sitting amongst "the competition." Sometimes the parents need this lesson more then the kids do...*cough just saying!
Learn to say "I'm done" and tell your kid that. Chances are if your sick, your child has already learned to recognize those symptoms.
Remind yourself that as hard as it is to be there, you wouldn't miss her compete for the world. You know the amount of hours that have gone into a routine, suck it up and find a way to get through the day, even if all you can do is the 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
