Deborah Sevilla, creator of the Dream Believe Achieve Athletic sport-specific journals and scorebooks, has reached out to help parents ease into the world of competitive gymnastics. This helpful guide was created with the help of coaches from different gyms, judges, sports psychologists, and fellow gym parents from around the world. When Deborah's own daughter entered into the world of competitive gymnastics, she found it exciting, overwhelming, as well as confusing. No one tells you what is going on, what is normal, and what is expected at the gym, at practice, at meets. Years later as an employee of her daughter's gym, the questions she had back then are the same questions she is asked over and over by parents new to gymnastics. While working meets, Deborah also heard the same questions coming from other gyms and the parents of their gymnasts. Many gyms write and distribute their own policy handbooks to new parents. These handbooks are gym-specific, and offer helpful information regarding tuition, late fees, and practice hours, but fail to explain much of anything else. Parents always wonder whether their gym's policies are the norm or unreasonable. Questions always arise regarding preparation for practices and meets, parental involvement during practices, and proper etiquette at meets. This guide is loaded with valuable information to answer your questions that are not answered in your gym's policy handbook. You will also find a glossary of gymnastics terms to help decipher "gymnast-speak," as well as forms for you to complete with your own gym's information, contacts, and other important information you need to know. All of this is easily accessible and kept together in this guide. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRO BEFORE TEAM CONGRATULATIONS The Decision: Know what you're getting into. Age: How old is too old or too young? Expenses Fundraising / Booster Clubs / Parent Associations Welcome to the team TEAM PRACTICE Practice Attire Long hours Homework / Home schooling Eat, Sleep, Gymnastics: Finding Balance Carpool 101 MEET BASICS Duration Venues Admission Concession Cameras Photographers Parking Changing facilities Equipment Siblings Meet Schedules COMPETITION TIME Getting Ready In the bag AT THE MEET Meet Etiquette What's Going On? Scoring Awards Judges KNOW YOUR PLACE Your support role / not coach or judge Are you a Crazy Gym Parent? -Quiz According to your peers Bribes vs Awards Being Supportive Stages of gym parents PROBLEMS Conflicts with coaches, parents and teammates Abuse or Motivation TAKING CARE OF YOUR GYMNAST At Home Stretching / Conditioning Nutrition / Overall Health Rips Injuries MENTAL HEALTH The dreaded mental block Gymnast Nerves / Psyched out Spectator Nerves EXPECTATIONS VS GOALS Over confidence Goals Olympic Bound? GYMNASTICS ORGANIZATIONS Pre team / Prep team / Mini team USAG, USAIGC & Xcel Junior High, High School, College IN THE KNOW . . .