Everyone has likely witnessed or experienced a parent that’s supportive of their child’s athletic performance. Some are too involved, and some are not involved enough. The key role of a parent when supporting their cheer kid is to be their personal cheerleader, to make them feel seen, to remind them to have fun, to encourage them in their failures, and most of all, to not embarrass them. Parents often fall into a champion mentality, quickly becoming overwhelming and embarrassing for a child. Have you ever heard of the term “helicopter parent,” or seen one, or even been one? It makes sense, parents want to the very best for their child.
We sat down with GeNienne Samuels, former NFL Caption and Pro Bowl Cheerleader for the Washington Commanders (fomerly Washington Redskins) and NBA dancer for the Washington Wizards, to discuss the best things parents can be doing to support their cheer and dance kids. Her advice is below.
I have witnessed and personally experienced countless moments where parents thought they were doing what was best for thier children, but it backfired. In fact, sometimes parents were more embarrassing than they were helpful. Leading to those cheerleaders and dancers resenting their parents or even the sport. I’ve also seen amazing athletes hang up their poms or dance shoes after high school or college because they weren’t prepared and ready for the next level. They only focused on the “here and now” and not the future.
So, I have put together a list for parents to reference the best things a parent can do for a cheer kid.
#1 Be a Role Model!
Cheerleaders and dancers are frequently looked to as role models; learning how to exemplify all the things a good role model should have, they will need good role models themselves. Obviously, this starts with their parents. The top things parents should be modeling for their kids are having an upbeat and positive mindset and self image, staying active, eating healthy, learning from defeat or failur, and how to be a good teammate. These principles can make or break your child’s experience in entertainment. Show them how to incorporate healthy habits into their daily routine like journaling, visualization, meditating, positive self talk, reading, goal sestting, exercising daily, and eating balanced meals. Having “me time” incorporated within their morning and evening routines will be a game changer for them!
#2 Keep Them Healthy!
Helping them stay focused on all aspects of physical health like fitness and eating healthy is probably the number one thing parents can help with. Kids typically don’t like healthy foods, but it’s crucial that they pay attention to what they are putting into their bodies in order to successfully perform. This is easier said than done, but it can’t just be the coach telling them to eat healthy. Kids need to be influenced and guided on multiple levels to learn what is best for them, and if the parents don’t participate in guiding them to eat healthy it will only make their training harder. Nutrition and fitness are a series of habits laerned by parents. Start them off on the right path so they don’t struggle later in life with eating disorders or low self image. Also, remember that being healthy takes a comprehensive approach mental and emotional health are just as crucial and physical health.
#3 Let Them Fail… Don’t Coddle Them
Growth and progress happens most during conflict, uncomfortable spaces, and when we are challenged. It’s incredibly important to encourage them to fail and be okay with failing often. Success comes after failure. This will help them to understand where growth happens and how to cope when they do not succeed. Many of them will have a natural talent for some things and will have extreme difficulty with other things, but it does more harm than good when a parent tries to achieve victory for them. This is not to say to not protect your child, but rather let them learn how to fail so they can learn how to grow and progress more efficiently. Falling and then getting back up and pshing forward will also help your child gain mental toughness.
Cheerleading and dance are some of the best sports you can get your child involved in because of what it takes to be a cheerleader and dancer and how the process helps kids learn crucial life skills they will take with them into adulthood. If you want your kid to grow up to be strong, respectful, respected, and to be prepared for the world after they graduate from high school or college, sign them up to become a cheerleader.
#4 Help Them Develop Professionally!
Right now your child is likely not thinking about life after cheer and dance, that’s your job to “plant the seed.” Help set your child up for success to continue their passion beyong high school or college, if they desire to. Preparing them now is crucial if they want to eventually dance or cheer at the pro level for the NFL or NBA. For cheerleaders, sign them up for ballet or jazz classes so they can learn different genres of dance and the technical elements (like pirouettes, leaps, calypos, etc.) These skills are a must at the pro levle. And for those already technically trained or who have a ballet or jazz background, make sure they can hit motions strong and sharp and can execute jazz pirouettes and high kicks.
Encourage them to diversify their skills by getting them into different dance classes or gymnastics. Their ability to execute different techniques will depend on their skills that can be learned and honed in other activities. The key to them becoming successful is to be consistently perfecting their craft.
#5 Trust The Coach!
As the parent, you’re probably paying for the coach to do the job of teaching them how to be a good cheerleader. Don’t try to do the coaching unless the coach asks for your help. If your child looks to you for intervention or assistance, direct them back to the coach. They will only get better by learning to trust the coach. You need to put your own trust in the coach as well.
