How far do I go?

My daughter loves gymnastics. It’s the only sport she wants to do. She does her own training at home to get stronger to do more. Pushups, pull ups, stretching, the works. She’s also only five years old.

Gymnastics is not a cheap sport. She’s currently in two classes a week. That alone is pricey. Two evenings a week I bring her to her one hour class with my toddler in tow where I chase after him while she works hard conditioning, learning skills, and having the time of her life.

But how far do I go?

I’m not a fan of the gym we’re at. I don’t feel welcome there, I’m not a fan of their tactics, and feel her time there can be better spent. I found another gym but they are 30 minutes away.

Two nights a week 10 minutes away would become two nights a week plus an hour long drive, with my toddler in the car. Not to mention I am a full time working mom with a husband who has a long commute so yeah he’s no help.

But seriously, what do I do?

I know NOTHING about being a gymnast other than what I see on TV. Ask me about any other team sport and I know what it takes. But gymnastics? I don’t know about teams or competing. I don’t know about training. I don’t know how to tell if someone has what it takes. I don’t know if my daughter does. I don’t know how much money I’m going to have to spend but I know it’s going to be a lot.

The only thing I do know is that she loves it. To me she’s really good at it (but I’m her mother so I don’t count). I don’t want to push her but I also don’t want to not enable her.

Could she become an elite gymnast? Maybe. Could she be just doing it for fun? Maybe.

I have no idea though. Do I want to give her the chance or just stay as is and never know. How far do I go? How much money do I spend? When do you make that decision? How much of a pushy mother do I have to be to get her in the best possible position to do great things?

I’m torn in this limbo of enabling her to be the best she can and the reality of finances, ability, and time. How do I know what to do?

What if my daughter is meant to be an elite gymnast? What if I ruin that for her? What if she isn’t and all that time and money is wasted? Will I ever know?

How far do I go?