When does the roller coaster turn into a merry-go-round.

1bucketmom · Mar 7, 2017

DD is young 2nd year 12. She's been pitching for 3 1/2 years. We knew the journey would have many ups and downs but some days the downs are super steep. She recently had a breakthrough and looked amazing. Good leg drive, consistency and strong abduction. Her speed and movement improvement dramatically over two practices. Then, like all good coasters, it dropped us.

I know she is still very young but some days I wonder if the roller coaster will smooth out and turn into a merry-go-round.

Some say it's all part of the ride. Some say they have no idea what I'm talking about as their DD's have been on a steady climb.

I have no idea. All I do know is that I'm too old for real rollercoasters and these metaphoric ones are not much better. Sigh,

Doug Romrell · Mar 7, 2017

Mom.... And I say this from experience (I'm older than you!)(I'm not a mom, though).... After all is said and done.... Always cultivate the mother-daughter relationship in everything you do to help her. She may frequently feel down about her performance (downward part of coaster ride). AND, you may also feel down about her performance. HOWEVER, be less critical rather than more critical. Choose more patience rather than less. Always exude love for her, regardless of her performance. Always be on her side--never be part of the causes or intensifications of the downward parts of the ride. In the end, she just want you to be her friend. Be a major part of the foundation that holds her UP.

1bucketmom · Mar 7, 2017

Doug Romrell said:
Mom.... And I say this from experience (I'm older than you!)(I'm not a mom, though).... After all is said and done.... Always cultivate the mother-daughter relationship in everything you do to help her. She may frequently feel down about her performance (downward part of coaster ride). AND, you may also feel down about her performance. HOWEVER, be less critical rather than more critical. Choose more patience rather than less. Always exude love for her, regardless of her performance. Always be on her side--never be part of the causes or intensifications of the downward parts of the ride. In the end, she just want you to be her friend. Be a major part of the foundation that holds her UP.

I've printed this out and it's going in the bucket! THANK YOU!!!!!

Doug Romrell · Mar 7, 2017

1bucketmom said:
I've printed this out and it's going in the bucket! THANK YOU!!!!!

Again, I say this as a father who did not do so well in this regard (TWICE). Trust me on this.

sluggers · Mar 7, 2017

Doug gave you some good advice.

My DD pitched all the way through college. The ups and down never end.

As your DD gets better as a pitcher, the batters get better as well. The requirements for being a "good" pitcher increase every year. What works at 10U won't work at 12U. What works at 12U won't work at 14U.

And every pitcher has to continually push herself to get better.

There will always be ups and downs...

1bucketmom · Mar 7, 2017

sluggers; There will always be ups and downs...[/QUOTE said:
Perhaps this is reason enough for me to be a medicated or beer mom. All kidding aside - I so enjoy working and learning with her.
I've enjoyed most of the journey - for every bad person there have been many more good. I've found a family of people that have been there and get it.
I'm thankful for DFPers because I would be bald and more insane without the support.

I hope I can last through the ups and downs - I know in the end, I'll only remember the bruises and the special moments.
It has been a rough couple of weeks, practices and outings. That means some ups are coming - right?!

Sparky Guy · Mar 8, 2017

1bucketmom said:
Perhaps this is reason enough for me to be a medicated or beer mom. All kidding aside - I so enjoy working and learning with her.
I've enjoyed most of the journey - for every bad person there have been many more good. I've found a family of people that have been there and get it.
I'm thankful for DFPers because I would be bald and more insane without the support.

I hope I can last through the ups and downs - I know in the end, I'll only remember the bruises and the special moments.
It has been a rough couple of weeks, practices and outings. That means some ups are coming - right?!

Ditto on what Sluggers said. Savor every minute of it. The good, the bad, the ugly and the great moments. Before you know it she's thrown her last pitch in college and the finish line is now in your rearview mirror. She'll remember a few games or special moments. But mostly she'll remember the time spent with you.

#7sDad · Mar 8, 2017

Doug Romrell said:
Again, I say this as a father who did not do so well in this regard (TWICE). Trust me on this.

Amen. As parents we also have our ups and downs.

JAD · Mar 8, 2017

Pitching is a marathon, not a sprint, and the "roller coaster" you are referring to are common, especially when a pitcher is going through a growth spurt. After your DD is done growing things will smooth out and become more of a "merry go round". Until then, buckle up!

corlay · Mar 8, 2017

I think it's difficult NOT to expect steady improvement - but it just doesn't happen that way.

My developmental experience with my DD (13yr old) is that it's long stretches of struggle,
with very brief periods of a "jump" in progress.
We tend to forget the significance of the "jumps" because they happen so quickly,
and then we move on to a new "struggle".

at 12, with a still growing body, her overall body control and awareness is going to ebb and flow.
Even if you feel like there are steps backwards within the march forward,
I bet if you reflect upon where she was even 6 months ago, you will see noticeable progress.

I like to take vid on my iphone every month or so,
and I diligently archive these clips, organized chronologically by date.
Sometimes, when I feel myself getting down about current progress,
I'll take a look at a few clips from 6months, 1 year, even 2 years ago.
I usually feel a lot better after that. ;-)

When does the roller coaster turn into a merry-go-round.

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