Not One, But Two

So we have a way-too-cool acting soon-to-be high school freshman cheerleader in the family.  But wait... not to be outdone, her older sister, soon-to-be college freshman got herself down to the campus and tried out for cheerleading...and made it.  I am happy for her.   Really.  Two cheerleaders in the family.  I have two step-daughters who are cheerleaders.

I am impressed that she took the initiative to get herself there and do this.   So why do I cringe?   Maybe it is because of my own hope that in college one would start thinking of what might make up a class schedule, or go on a future resume, like Student Council or other form of mentally stimulating extra-curricular activity.  It's college; we're not talking Florida State where a football team actually has nationally televised games - cheerleaders included.

What troubles me further is that the only fact we know is that she has been accepted to this college.  And is now a cheerleader for said (or not said) college.   Have we applied for financial aid? (we think:  No)  Have we talked to a counselor?  (we think:   No)   Seniors started registering in early April...is there a class schedule yet?  (we think:   No)  Not that we have heard either ... but we have cheerleading.   

I think what troubles me further is that there is some form of the Midas Touch in The Mother's camp that allows for irresponsibility, procrastination and other forms of non-Girl-Scout technique of getting and being prepared, pre-empting or otherwise planning ahead for life - and really cool (well, not necessarily in my opinion) things still happen.  Do you just walk into Freshman English on the first day of classes in your cheer uniform, sit down and start taking notes?    The Mother said "Go to college!  Have Fun!"   I guess this is what it looks like.

Comments

[Stephanie]

Personally, I have steered the young ones in our house away from cheerleading and toward something that really is for them - how about basketball? Volleyball? Swimming? A sport you actually participate in and could get a scholarship for doing? Somehow the idea of wearing a short skirt and standing on the sidelines cheering for someone else doesn't work for my independent self. I know we would support it if that's what they absolutely wanted, but I'm with you... how about something mentally stimulating?