Things to know before joining team

I think every parent has those proud moments and the thoughts of excitement when their child is about to tryout for team (any team). Even more exciting is when they make the team. I don't think it's any different with Acro. However, word to the wise, I've come up with some things to think about before you make that leap. Below I've compiled a list that may not be comprehensive, but it's certainly the things I considered before I let my daughter join the team.

1. Talk with your child and make sure they like it
2. Find out what it's going to cost (all the costs)
3. Determine how long the season is going to be
4. How many practices will your child have to attend per week?
5. Do you have a reliable way to get your child to practice?
6. Understand and internalize the amount of commitment that it is going to take

So let me elaborate on some of these. First of all, make sure your child is really into it. The last thing you need is to throw a ton of money at something that he or she will not even enjoy. This is also a reminder not to live vicariously through your kid.
Determine what all the costs are. This sport can be expensive. You need tuition money to pay for the gym. You need to buy practice leotards (from here on out referred to as "leos"). You will need hair ties...LOTS OF HAIR TIES!!!!!!! All hair needs to be in a bun for practice and competition. You will need some warm clothes for the winter. Depending on what gym you subscribe to, it can get cold in the winter and being in just a leo generally doesn't suffice. You will need to consider the cost for entry fees to the meets. Typically, you also pay a portion of the coaches time and travel to meets. Travel expenses...not all meets are local. Competition leos cost money too. Whether your child is in a pair or trio, the group will have between 1 and 3 leos depending on level. Also as your child progresses, you might find yourself needing to pay for some private sessions with coaches (aka privates). This helps your child get over the hump on certain skills or gives them the special 1 on 1 attention to internalize a skill and make progress by leaps and bounds.
Ensure that you have a way to get your child to practice. This can be tough when you work and not everyone has really flexible work schedules. Get to know the other parents on the team first. Ask them questions. Many are open to talking about Acro and what it is like. If you end up joining the team, figure out if there are any families that live near you and see if a mutual transportation arrangement can be worked out.
Understand the commitment it will take. The Acro season doesn't start until about February and goes to about the end of July. However, right after July, coaches are starting to see who will be returning and begin determining who they will have to pair or group. This will take you into September and October and then you have to start figuring out routine(s) which the the pair/group will do for the upcoming season. You have to be ready to sacrifice some of the time you might usually take to go on vacations or weekends away. Furthermore, you have to be flexible enough to work with other families since in a pair or group, when one athlete is away, the rest have more difficulty in practicing the routine. Going to meets is a commitment as well. As a parent, you'll want to see your child perform, but you also become invested in the pair/group and quickly enough you will become invested in the whole team.
Lastly, going in with an open mind is the best advice. As a first year parent, especially a dad in a predominantly female sport (at least around here), if you soak in what's available, your eyes will be opened to a world of artistry, creativity, and beauty.