Other Gymnast's Mother is Bullying me!!!

[BritCheer]

Hey everyone, there's this guy in my gymnastics class who been doing it nearly 10 years and i started properly about 4/5 years ago, when i joined i started with nothing, a decent cartwheel and that was about it, unfortunately, (i presume) i've been getting better and better and am now working on my full twist, this other guy can't even do a straight layout somersault. The problem is this guys mother is starting to take it personal, and pulled me in gymnastics class and started yelling at me for nothing, (because, i had my wrist guards on the floor, and then she'd yell at me for getting in her son's way (which i wasn't, even the coach said that). What do i do? I came out of Gymnastics today feeling like crap, and she said she was going to ring my principle at school and tell him what i had been doing. I don't want to quit, but i was so upset, all the other gymnasts stick up for, no one really likes this guy, why is she so uptight with me? Please help guys....
Liam

[Anita]

Is this woman a coach or helper at the club? If not then the club should do something to stop the bullying. Also I can't see the logic in her complaining to your school principal: is your gym club anything to do with the school? If not then it's an idle threat because why would the principal be interested?

Just look at it this way - she's probably jealous because you're better than her son!

Chin up and don't give up.

[BritCheer]

I assumed it was because she was jealous, but i'm doing my A-Level gymnastics Test at the moment i presume she wants to try and ruin that for me. She was pointing at me and everything, i was like in tears. She's not a coach, nor a helper, she comes in a sits at the side and yells at me and all the other gymnasts. I feel sorry for her son, because if for example, he didn't get a high score on his splits she's take away his PlayStation! Is that what a normal mother should do? I realy want to say something, but i don't want to ruin my relationships with the other gymnasts and coaches (not that they like her that much), should i talk to her in private? Thanks

[Gingerheid]

Shouldn't the club be doing something about that?:eek:

[BritCheer]

I guess so, but its kind of like a subtle thing, she doesn't do it in the presence of a coach. So i don't think they can do anything, and even if they were they probably wouldn't anyway. Oh and another thing, her and her son were having an argument in the pit area, and then this other gymnasts said, 'now, now, put your handbags away' and then this mother said to her son, 'there's only one handbag in this gym, and shifted her head to indicate me!' (while i was preparing to tumble). What do i say though, its been happening for a while, and she's starting to get to me. Should i just try and get in with another squad?

[sazza1989]

It really upsets me that this is happening to you. No - one should be treated like that. She shouldnt be near you if she isn't a coach or a helper and making commentslike that she shouldnt be allowed in the gym at all.

Do the other gymnasts know what is happening??? If they do why dont they speak out. Quite honestly i only know 1 mum who takes things away from their child if they are doing well ... and i think this is really unfair.

Do you get on with this other guy??? also dont change squads if you like training where you are.

If you want to talk ... you know where i am ... private message me ... and i can try to help!!!

Sarah x:p

[BritCheer]

Hey you guys,
Thanks Sassa for you support, i do get on with her son, but her son is really not a nice person and try's to get the other gymnasts into trouble all the time, not behaviour you expec from a teenager i know, LOL. I'm going to stay, because at the end of the day its my gym too. Even though i tried to clear things up with her at the end of practice she still had to have the last word, so i'll go in on wednesday and tumble my heart out, keep myself to myself (so she can't say anything) and watch her turn green with envy! Even though its not the most civil way to go about it, she's given me a hard time, its just she needs to stop with her constant insulting. I'll get over it. Thanks you guys for everything, without you i think i would have left. See you around. x

[nw21]

Liam

This is an awful thing that is happening to you! No parents in my opinion should be in the gym and also they are not insured to be there.

At your club there should be a dedicated Welfare Officer - find out who it is and go and speak to them inconfidence. They should be able to give you advice on what to do and try and approach the parent.

Dont get down and keep training hard. It isnt your fault that you have made more progress than another member of your squad.

Hope this helps

Nat :)

[Lucy]

I would suggest you keep a diary of all the incidences such as what's said and when (and maybe who was present in the gym at the time?) along with informing your welfare officer or head coach. Please don't just leave it even if you feel you can cope with it the next target, (I would assume the next person to improve faster than her son), may not be able to.

I hope you can get it sorted out...good luck

[BritCheer]

Yeh thats a pretty neat idea, at least then i have something that i can show to someone when it does get so bad that it needs sorting out properly. I'll keep a little log book. Besides that i'll just ignore her, whatever she says is no use to me, she has no qualifications in gymnastics, and at the end of it i'm the one doing it and she's useless. Thanks again you guys.

[BritCheer]

Hey guys, i just got back home from Gymnastics and i'm okay, but this woman who's freaking me out at practice did it again... My wrists we're hurting today and i was just asking the coach whether i should put Deep Heat or Deep Freeze on them and then this mom butt's in and shouts: 'Maybe if you actually did some work in class your wrists wouldn't hurt' (i was doing catchevs!) I felt like slapping her, he son is a skiver and never does the work he's suppost to, should i tell her what i think now? Well anyway, thought i might vent my anger of the 'Jealous Cow' on here. See yaz
Liam

[nw21]

Liam

Did your coach hear what she said? If so they should have said something to the mother and asked her to leave. I wouldnt allow another mother to talk to one of my gymnasts like that!!

Nat

[Jasmine Lee]

That is totally awful, is there any way you could speak to your parents, they could then voice your concerns to your coach discretely to help solve the proble. Alternatively speak to your coach, or the head coach at the end of the session in private. Tell him/her how much this is affecting your performance and concentration hopefully the coach will talk to the parent and inform them that their "coaching opinion" is not appreciated not welcome within the club. She sounds like a bitter woman with nothing better to do then undermine children probably because she thinks you wont take action against her because of your age. Informing another adult will hopefully make her think twice about her behaviour and how her antics are affecting her own son- I could think of nothing worst if my mum turned up to training and shouted negative comments at me, let alone other performers. My guess is this boy is equally embarassed and frustrated by her actions and may ask her not to come anymore. What is she doing is a form of abuse and your coach will take you seriously as they will have your best interests in mind, not hers or her malicious comments.