From Leotards to Life Lessons: Real Talk from Gymnastics Mums
Thinking about signing your little one up for gymnastics? Read this first!
The flips! The tumbles! The teeny-tiny leotards! Gymnastics looks like so much sparkly fun when you’re watching from the sidelines. But if you're anything like me, you're also probably wondering about the gazillion unknowns. Wait—what's involved? What are the hidden challenges? What do I actually need to pack? Will my child love it? Will I love it? And—most importantly—is a glittery hair bow a competition essential or just me being dramatic?
Rather than trust my own (somewhat sparkly and positively biased) instincts, I decided to chat with the real pros: mums who’ve been there, done that, and still have glitter on their car seats to prove it. These wonderful women have survived the early starts, chalk dust clouds, and emotional medal ceremonies—and they've shared their golden tips to help us all.
And spoiler alert: a quarter of them did mention hair bows as a must-pack. So maybe I wasn't totally off the mark. 🎀
🌟 Rhi – Mum to Wren
💖 Favourite thing: My favourite thing about signing her up is giving her the opportunity to do something that’s she’s wanted to for a long time! She is so passionate about it.
💡 Top tip: One piece of advice is that gymnastics practice doesn’t finish when the class is finished for the day! A safe space at home to practice is so important to allow them to practice and nurture their new skills.
🎒 Comp essential: For competitions- COLD water. They get super warm, so ice cold water is an absolute must for them to take sips of.
🎨 Fran – Mum to Lily
Fran’s not only a gymnastics mum—she’s also a talented artist and printmaker. You can find her stunning nature-inspired prints at francisallwood.com.
💖 Favourite thing: As well as being fun, it harnesses focus, determination and teamwork (team gym).
💡 Advice I wish I’d known: Be prepared to work around training hours - or take it with you!
🎒 Must-pack item for comps: Hairspray!
💗 Soraia – Mum to Khenilly
You must check out Khenilly's Instagram account: @khenillykiany—full of fun reels, mum-daughter looks and kid's fashion content, You won't regret it!
💖 What I love about gymnastics: One of my favourite things about signing my daughter up for gymnastics is watching how much she's grown—not just physically but emotionally too. She started at age 1 with "Mummy and Me" classes, which were more about play than strict gymnastics, but it sparked a real love for the sport. Since then, I've seen her develop coordination, confidence, independence, and the ability to follow instructions—all while having so much fun. I also love how she's made friends and works towards her badges—it gives her a sense of achievement. And honestly… I adore shopping for her leotards! She has about 15 now. It’s such a fun way for her to express her personality.
💡 One thing I wish I’d known: I wish someone had told me how hard the transition can be when you go from being in the gym with them to stepping out completely. When my daughter turned 3, she had to go in without me, and it was a struggle because she’s very attached to me. She would still ask me to come in every session. I wish I had started easing her into independence a bit sooner—maybe slowly stepping back just before she turned 3, instead of all at once. It took around six months before she was fully going in on her own without me sitting on the side. That said, her coaches were amazing so patient and caring. They even let me sit inside quietly for a while until she felt more secure.
🎒 My never-leave-without list: I never leave the house without at least two spare leotards—accidents or spills happen! I also pack a matching hair bow (because style matters, even in sport!), a warm tracksuit to keep her muscles warm between events, and of course drinks and snacks to keep her fuelled. Gymnastics days are long, so being prepared makes it much smoother for both of us.
👱 Steph’s Mum
Check out @scrunchsquadUK on TikTok or Instagram for handmade hair accessories perfect for sporty girls!
💖 What I love: Staying active.
💡 Advice for mums: Let kids explore sports, support them but don’t push them.
🎒 Must-pack: Comp leo and kit, that most important scrunchie, and lots of positive thoughts!
Whether you’re signing up for your first trial class or knee-deep in the gym bag routine, I hope these stories help you feel a bit more prepared—and a lot more seen. Being a gymnastics mum is a unique kind of adventure, full of sparkle, strength, and snack-packing strategies.
💬 Are you a gymnastics mum too? Got a top tip or funny story? Come share it—I’d love to hear!
