So it's your child's first year doing all star cheerleading. You're reading all the emails, you're asking questions and doing your best to keep up with the influx of information. 

Inevitably, there are a few details that slip thru the cracks.

Here are some things that can make your life easier 

1. PRACTICE IS MANDATORY!

Cheer is unlike any other sport. Every person is utilized at all times and when one person is absent pyramids cannot function properly. Be a team player and make practice a priority.

2. Jewelry & Haircuts

Don't get your child's ears pierced during competition season or even slightly before the season starts. For safety reasons, athletes are not allowed to wear jewelry in competition. Avoid potential drama with your child and just WAIT until the season is over!

Seems like this would be a no-brainer but find out what the hairstyle is for your child's team. Usually, long hair is the norm but if you're going to go short, go very short! Think super sassy short bob! That in-between length doesn't usually work well for cheer competitions. It should be long enough for a ponytail or completely too short for a ponytail.

 

3. Do not plan anything else on competition days.

Competition schedules are not usually finalized until the Tuesday or Wednesday before an event. Don't try to fit in big plans on the day of an event. The gym will circulate the final performance schedule but you can also check the event producer's website, Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter account.

4. Befriend someone who is a cheer veteran.

Befriend someone who is "a veteran" of the gym that you can email or text if questions arise. They can be a wealth of information when it is competition time.

 5. Form a helpful "Group Me" for your team.

It always helps when the parents of the team have a "Group Me" where these questions can be asked. Usually, if one person has a question, there are 2-3 others that have the same question. 

This is especially true if it's a Level 1 team with a bunch of newbie parents. Hopefully, at least one parent has been with the gym before and can easily answer the question on here rather than the same question 30 different times via text.

6. Find a reliable calendar and USE IT!

Whether it's electronic or paper form, find one and keep up with it. It will save your life.

7. Keep up with the emails and write down any pertinent information!

It's helpful to keep your gym related emails so you can refer back to them. If you aren't an "email person" -- now you are. It's just part of keeping a team running efficiently - so check that email several times a day!

8. Declare one spot in your house for cheer items!

When it's competition time, find ONE SPOT in your house to put all the official cheer uniforms and accessories. When you are running around the morning of, you won't be scrambling and stressed to find the missing cheer bow.

9. Absolutely NO extreme activities before a competition.

Inevitably someone calls the coach the night before a competition and their cheerleader has broken her arm on a skateboard or at a trampoline park, etc. Of course, kids should enjoy being kids but it's important to think wisely during competition season. Your decisions affect the entire team!

10. If your child is complaining of an injury, do something.

If your child is complaining of an injury and there is a competition coming up, talk with your coach and take your child to a doctor or the team trainer A.S.A.P. Don't wait until two days before the competition to figure this out. It's difficult for the team and the coaches to make last minute changes.

11. Makeup and Hair

Figure out how to do hair & makeup BEFORE the first competition. Don't arrive looking like a mess the morning of the first competition.

 

12. Promptness

Don't be on time. Be EARLY! Especially if you're new. You never know how long parking, getting tickets, etc. will really take. The team, the coaches, and the routine are affected if members are habitually late.

13. Get Social!

Follow your gym on all their social media. This is a common form of communicating nowadays and you want to be in the loop!

Also, make sure to follow FloCheer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for exclusive content and more tips & tricks!

14. Prepare in advance!

Have snacks preplanned and in the cheer backpack and a water thermos by the fridge ready to add water right before practice. Have all cheer outfits washed, folded and put together with sports bras, shoes, and socks so everything is easy to grab and put on each specific day. Spend a little extra time on the weekends preparing for the week and you won't be stressed or rushed during the week because everything is ready to go

15. Competitions are an all-day event, be prepared 

There are the fixed costs for spectators attending each competition. Expect to pay entry fees, parking fees, food during the event, and any extra money needed to buy items from vendors selling a plethora of cheer-related items. While you will be at a competition for at least four hours, count on staying all day since it's part of the experience for families and cheerleaders to support each team in the program.

Pack healthy snacks, bring bottled water, and a portable charger for your phone or handheld device. Food at the venues typically consists of pastries, popcorn, nachos, and pizza. The venues can be loud so if you are sensitive to noise, bring earplugs.

PRO TIP: Need a coffee fix? Utilize chain restaurants with mobile apps and order your coffee ahead to avoid standing in lines!

Arrived @FutureCheer ready for #fcintothefuture but coffee first ! pic.twitter.com/QCKYrOMwow

— BCD Cheer (@BCDcheer) June 11, 2017

16. Out-of-town competitions

The gym will provide a schedule of competitions at the beginning of the season. Plan ahead if you wish to carpool or share a hotel. Make use of hotel points to help offset the cost for lodging for out-of-town competitions when you have a choice of hotels.

17. Get to the venue early so you have a seat when your child competes!

Most competitions have a priority viewing area for families and friends to get closer to the stage to view the performance. You can only enter this area when your team performs and must exit at the end of the performance. Be early! Often if you don't make it to the "on deck" viewing area a few teams before yours takes the stage, you won't be able to join your group.

18. Hurry up and wait

Learn to go with the flow. Inevitably with cheer events, you're rushing then waiting. Take a book, catch up on some much-needed sleep, answer emails, have things to keep you and your other children (a.k.a. spouse), busy while you wait!

19. Go. All. In.

Buy a team shirt, make posters, help with goody bags - make it more about the JOURNEY!

20. Most of all...HAVE FUN!

Laugh through the mistakes, make memories, and don't sweat the small stuff!

Good luck this season cheer parents! Remember, if you see a fellow #FloSquad member walking around your next competition, be sure to say hello!