I'm going to build on what Clarice said, apologies to the OP, it's a bit OTT. I'm off to my first LTS competion with my tiniest next weekend. However, this is NOT my first LTS competition. Due to the huge age gap between my older and youngest child, I did my first LTS comp , years ago. Back then, I was completely confused by what went on. What was my kid supposed to wear or do? Why was s/he placed where s/he was? What did a judge expect in a sit spin from a (well, we call it Canskate in Canada) L5 skater? I asked lots of people who I trusted, and got much of the same info that Falen has gotten from the Boards here. Of course, I didn't have a board to ask .. I just found one of the few sensible skating moms around, and also asked my coach where I needed more info. It's easy to be confused and looking for answers when you're new to a sport, especially one as weird and wonderful as figure skating.
Now, looking back, I realize what a long journey it is from entry level to the higher levels. We are still running into the same "issues" at a high competition level: why was one skater's skating skills ranked higher, what caused the spin to be called L1 instead of L2, what did they see in that 2LZ that got a GOE deduction? It doesn't change as you move on, but, the perspective does for those of us who have survived the long haul. Of the kids who started with mine, over 90% have quit the sport - often because they couldn't get perspective on what competing or testing meant, or, because they burned out when things went from "being easy" to "being tough" or just the mental and physical exhaustion from too much pressure; often it was the early stars who were the first to quit! The ones who are still going are the ones who skate for the love or or the joy or the challenge of it - and, yes, that includes the ones who are going to Nationals as well as the ones who are still working on Low-Test after just as many years in the sport.
Similar to what Clarice was saying about her daughter - my older two are now pitching in and helping my littlest, because they want her to enjoy the sport. And they're getting back down to her level of "sparkly dress" and "pretty curtsey" on the ice , and cheering that 3rd revolution on a 2-foot sit spin as loudly as I am!
I guess I'm circling around what I'm trying to say. Next weekend, when my tiny DD goes to her LTS comp, the "mom" I am now is very different from the "mom" I was back then. I know that the placements may make no sense; that my kid may run into holdbacks, or may end up placing well just because her flight is weaker than another flight; that we may end up last, in the middle or at the top, and nothing I can do will change it. I know we will see crying and cheering skaters (and mothers); that it will be hectic and confusing; and that at the end of it, my kid and I are going to look at the pictures, watch the video, and talk about the fun stuff. We'll figure out what we want to work on, celebrate whatever we achieved. Was I this calm and rational back the first few comps? ABSOLUTELY NOT! It just took time and experience.
So, Falen, we all understand where you are coming from; we've all been there; along with sharing our knowledge of skating, competing, etc, we're also sharing our knowledge of what it is like to be a skating "mum". Hope you'll take it in the spirit it is offered: we all want you and your kid to enjoy the sport and stay in it long term-!