This year I’m a proud new cheer mom who could use all the tips I can get.
Since I figured this might be new territory for some of you, here we are with a cheer mom guide giving you my tips for survival as a new cheer mom.
Since I’m learning myself and wanted to give you the best advice, I turned to some veteran cheer moms and cheerleading coaches to get their best tips to help you get the season and your kid’s cheerleader experience off to a great start.
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Be Supportive
Whether you were a cheerleader or not, this is something your daughter (or son) is interested in doing and wants to do well.
It’s one of the most rigorous sports out there regardless of other people’s opinion as to whether it’s a sport or not.
She will be using muscles she may not have before.
And having long practices.
This means hungry and tired.
Oh, and this probably means crabby.
In addition, she will be entering a culture all its own and most likely a whole new group of people.
There will be new friendships forged and some difficult personalities to deal with.
Both will require excellent interpersonal skills.
This is of great importance since this sport like no other requires a def-con level trust factor.
You need to trust without fail that you will be caught.
The timing of each person affects the others, up close and personal.
Did I mention crabby?
All personal feelings must be set aside for the team to perform well and safely.
Preparation is Critical
Have a calendar.
Whether you like an app or use paper, stay on top of it.
A cheerleader’s schedule is pretty full.
Be patient and realize this is a huge commitment for both of you.
With long hours, long drives, and long waits.
Have a checklist.
These girls represent not only their teams and their schools but their communities.
Whether it’s right or not appearance matters.
This is especially important for competitions because it affects the routines and morale, which can spill over into their performance.
Hair and uniforms can’t interfere with the execution of often very difficult choreography.
It’s not just about looks or winning.
It can be dangerous.
While football may get the majority of the headlines when it comes to concussions, cheerleading is at the top of the list for sports injuries for women and girls.
And for them, there is absolutely zero protection.
Their only defense falls squarely on the other girls on their team. Literally.
Some states are requiring not only coaches but parents and students to take an online course about concussions before they can participate.
While I wasn’t totally thrilled with sitting through the required course, it really was eye-opening and I feel better knowing the signs to watch for and know the coaches do too.
Other states don’t make this a requirement and sadly only 29 states recognize cheerleading as a sport.
Even the NCAA does not include cheerleading in its list of sponsored events. Insert giant eye-roll, seriously though!
Well at least ESPN, celebrating 40 years on the air, thinks so.
Speaking of injuries, avoid risky activities during competition.
No one wants to get injured. But accidents happen.
Each person on a cheer team is a piece of the puzzle.
There is no second string.
One person missing changes everything.
Last-minute changes because Suzie wanted to go rollerblading and broke her arm will affect the whole team.
Have fun but make wise decisions.
Have Everything Always Ready Ahead of Time
Keep all the cheerleading gear together in one place.
Looking for everything when it’s time to leave isn’t the time to go looking for it.
Make sure uniforms and practice clothes are washed.
Keep some supplies like protein bars and period supplies stocked and stored in the bag.
See below for a list of supplies cheerleaders or cheer moms can keep ready for practices, game day, and cheer competitions.
Be Early
On-time is already late.
Arriving at practice at least 15 minutes early not only gives the kids time to change into their cheer shoes or remove extra warm-up gear.
But also to help set up mats, get their “cheer” on, and be ready to start when practice begins.
And as for competition days.
Arrival should be much earlier to allow for parking, getting a good seat, hair and makeup touch-ups, team morale, and more.
Practice Hair and Makeup Ahead of Time
This is especially important for competition.
The morning of the competition is not the right time to try out a new hairstyle.
Or the time to realize your years as a stay-at-home mom has left your smokey eye a bit rusty.
Sometimes their hair needs to be in a certain style for team continuity.
Sometimes it’s about what’s comfortable and stays neat, or is necessary for the safety of certain stunts.
Realize that the makeup needs heavy to be seen from a distance. Relax, it’s like theater makeup.
Choose easy hairstyles for cheer practice, while using off-days to practice more complicated options.
Youtube is a great resource for hair and makeup tutorials.
Competitions Are an All-Day Affair
Again, have a checklist.
Forgetting something really can be a problem.
Competitions are rarely local and there’s no running to the local Target for a backup uniform.
While there may be some items you can buy at the venue, you don’t want to spend a fortune.
I’ve also had to leave to get ice for a cheer stunt injury.
Even though the cheer competition was located at a school with over 100 teams competing there weren’t enough ice packs to go around.
In an unfamiliar town, this was a pain to even locate a store. Let alone get what I needed.
There are wardrobe malfunctions, hair mishaps, and a slew of other challenges that just make it easier to have your own backup supplies.
You will be the hero of the whole cheerleading squad, coaches, and other cheer parents when you can help with these essentials.
Cheerleader Survival Kit Checklist:
- Water
- Snacks
- Portable charger
- Extra phone battery
- Portable power strip to recharge phones, tablets, etc. all at once
- Hair ties and bobby pins
- Hairbrush and comb
- Hairspray
- Curling irons and flat irons
- Mini sewing kit and safety pins
- Fabric tape and duct tape
- Lip balm
- Hand sanitizer
- Ice packs
- Face masks
- Feminine hygeniene supplies
- Band-aids
- Ibuprofen and Acetominophen
- Earplugs (seriously so loud!)
- For outdoor practices and competitions
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray
- Bag for dirty uniforms (or use a labeled ziplock)
- Extra cash for tolls, entry fees, parking fees, and concession stand munchies
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Get Involved
Be The Parent, Not The Coach
There are a lot of ways new cheer moms can get involved but stay in your lane. We get it, you have mad skills to offer. But being pushy will not win you any points with the cheer coaches, other cheer moms, or your daughter.
Be involved without being “that mom”.
Cheer Moms Be Like
Be the Cheer Parent, Not the Cheer Coach
Communicate with the coaches.
If there’s a social media channel follow it.
If your coach uses an app to keep parents in the loop, use it.
This is super important for last-minute updates.
Let the coaches know if you have concerns or your child gets an injury since removing someone from a routine affects everyone.
However, realize that the coach really does have your cheerleader’s best interest at heart.
So let them coach.
Being involved doesn’t mean trying to tell the coach their job.
Even if you used to be a cheerleader.
This isn’t 1992 Karen.
And if you really have what it takes to coach, then volunteer to do so, or let them do their job. ‘Nuff said.
Put Your Talents to Good Use
Whatever it is join in.
Make posters, buy shirts, take pictures.
Maybe you’re a terrible baker but great at organizing.
Maybe you know community leaders or can craft team bows.
Ask the coach.
Ask the other veteran cheer moms.
“What can I do to help?”
Learn How to Deal with Cheer Moms
Make friends with the other moms.
You will be spending time, A. Lot. Of. Time. with these moms.
On the sidelines for games, for group fundraisers but also on competition days, which usually put you away from home, sometimes quite far.
You might need help, you might need support.
Sure some parents are overly competitive, pushy, or downright rude.
The key is to stay out of any drama at all costs.
The best way to avoid it:
- Don’t talk about the coach
- Don’t talk about the other cheerleaders
- Don’t talk about the other parents
- Avoid chiming in when someone is talking about someone else
- Keep it friendly, upbeat, and positive
Hey, next year you’ll know so much more and can help welcome other new cheer moms.
Remember to Have Fun
Having fun is what it’s all about.
If you have fun with it, she will too!
READY? OKAY!
Related Reading:
- 46 Perfect Gifts for Cheerleaders
- Buying Guide: How to Choose a Trampoline
- 51 Best Flippin’ Cheerleading Movies and TV Shows
Got a tip for new cheer moms to add? Let me know in the comments.
