You’re a Cheer Mom

Remember back to the first year. . .  When your child decided that he/she wanted to be a cheerleader, and you SWORE you would not become a “cheer mom”.  How did the title “cheer mom” get such a bad rap anyhow?  Not everyone is like the TV-created “crazies” on “Cheer Perfection”.  And those “Dance Moms” definitely have a lock on the crazy parent thing. . .

There are certain things that give you away if you’re a “cheer mom”.  We have a unique take on so much that others don’t.  I even notice that from my “cheer mom friends” and my “normal mom friends”.  There are things that are “normal” for a cheerleader that is not normal for non-cheerleaders.  What do I mean?  Well. . .

You know you’re a cheer mom if your 9 year old having more make-up than you is nothing out of the ordinary.

You know you’re a cheer mom if the product you are purchasing for your kid is “high end” but the stuff for you is not.

You know you’re a cheer mom if you know how to keep a high ponytail high – even with the cheerleader throwing handsprings and tucks.

You know you’re a cheer mom if you know how to put a cheer bow in and it stays high and in place.

You know you’re a cheer mom if you hear the words “toe touch” and “pike” and you think of the jump sequence in your athlete’s routine.

You know you’re a cheer mom if during said jump sequence you are shouting “Hit!  Hit!  Hit!  Pull!”

You know you’re a cheer mom when you can pack for a weekend competition and your stuff fits into one small suitcase.

You know you’re a cheer mom if you can name “mega-gyms” from each area of the country.

You know you’re a cheer mom if your schedule revolves around team practices.

You know you’re a cheer mom if from October through May weekend outings are not planned due to competition season.

You know you’re a cheer mom if you join hotel programs to save for competition season.

You know you’re a cheer mom if you know that bobby pins have a “top” and a “bottom”.

You know you’re a cheer mom if your car is full of water bottles and dirty footie socks.

You know you’re a cheer mom if you watch a cheer routine and do the facials along with the athletes on the floor.

You know you’re a cheer mom if you give up Starbucks for a private tumbling lesson.

You know you’re a cheer mom if you can count at least three cheer coaches as friends.

You know you’re a cheer mom if you have seen at least 4 of the “Bring It On” series (or the musical at least once).

You know you’re a cheer mom if you know that “The Majors” has nothing to do with baseball.

You know you’re a cheer mom if you know what “full out” means.

You know you’re a cheer mom if you know that the count always starts at “. . .5”.

You know you’re a cheer mom if you groan and curse at the phrase “stay to play”.

You know you’re a cheer mom if the hair teasing from the 80’s served as practice.

You know you’re a cheer mom if you know that Nike Pros are not just for professional athletes.

You know you’re a cheer mom if you carry a Tide Stick as “necessary competition equipment”.

You know you’re a cheer mom if you can whip out a cat-eye on a 7 year old like a boss!

You know you’re a cheer mom if you can fundraise with your eyes closed (and prefer to).

You know you’re a cheer mom if you have purchased more than thirty cheer bows for your 9 year old athlete.

I know that not everyone will get these, and more of these are tongue-in-cheek than not.  Cheer moms have to have a huge sense of humor, and that is the biggest thing that gets you through the season – having a great big laugh at it all.  They are kids – we are their biggest fans, and we love them!  Enjoy!