In the world of gymnastics, comparison can be a slippery slope. One minute your child is watching a teammate’s routine in awe, and the next, she's questioning her own abilities, feeling discouraged, or losing confidence. While a bit of observation can be healthy and motivating, too much comparison—especially the negative kind—can rob your gymnast of joy, focus, and progress.
As a parent, you play a critical role in helping your gymnast develop a strong mindset. Here are three powerful ways to guide her away from harmful comparisons and towards a healthier, more grounded view of herself and her journey.
1. Celebrate Progress Over Perfection
One of the best antidotes to comparison is focusing on personal progress. Gymnastics is an individual sport at its core, and each gymnast’s path looks different. Your gymnast may master a new skill weeks after a teammate does—or she may be the one leading the way. That’s normal.
What you can do:
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Ask, “What’s something you did today that you couldn’t do a month ago?”
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Keep a “progress journal” where your gymnast can log skills they've improved or fears they’ve overcome.
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Praise effort, not outcomes. Instead of saying “Great job for sticking the landing!” try “I’m proud of how hard you’ve been working on that skill.”
This helps your gymnast recognize growth as success, not just winning or being “the best.”
2. Teach the Power of Mindful Social Media Use
If your gymnast is old enough to be on Instagram or TikTok, chances are she's seeing highlight reels from elite gymnasts or influencers. These polished moments can make it hard not to compare.
What you can do:
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Talk openly about the curated nature of social media.
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Encourage your gymnast to follow accounts that are encouraging, realistic, and diverse in skill level.
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Set boundaries or even create “no phone zones” before and after practice to keep their head clear.
Teaching digital literacy isn’t about banning content—it’s about helping your gymnast understand what they’re consuming and how it affects them.
3. Model Confidence and Self-Compassion
Children learn how to treat themselves by watching the adults in their lives. If you often compare yourself to others—whether it’s about parenting, fitness, or career success—your gymnast might mirror that mindset.
What you can do:
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Speak kindly about yourself in front of your child.
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Share stories of when you struggled and how you focused on your own path.
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Remind her (and yourself): Someone else’s success isn’t your failure.
When your gymnast sees you practicing self-compassion and confidence, she's more likely to adopt the same habits.
Final Thoughts
Comparison is normal—especially in a competitive sport like gymnastics. But it doesn’t have to control your gymnast’s mindset. By helping her focus on her own progress, make smart choices around social media, and embrace self-compassion, you’re giving her lifelong tools that go far beyond the gym.
Because the real win isn’t a perfect routine—it’s a confident, resilient gymnast who knows her worth.