This is a little long winded and I apologize. I am new here. Let me introduce myself first. I am a father of a 6 year old daughter who wanted to join our club's Summer swim team in May of this year. She knew how to swim and play around in the pool, but no structure or real swim stroke technique. Comparatively, she did well and I think it really excited her. After the Summer season, there was a month off before the year round team started. She wanted to join and I had no issues. I told her as long as it was fun for her she can do it as long as she wanted.
Fast forward to her first real swim meet this past weekend. It was more of an extended time trial than an actual meet in my opinion (no medals/ribbons/trophies or acknowledgement of place). This is all new to me. It was a little of a shock to realize that 10&U are all in one age group. I already had the discussion with her that her expectations need to be lower because there are more swimmers, older swimmers, swimmers with more experience, etc. She was one of only about four 6yo swimmers from multiple teams at this meet. The first thing she told me after it was over is that she came in last in everything (she was usually swimming with 8 and 9 year olds in her heat). She was a little discouraged and I explained to her that we discussed it and level set expectation. She was OK with it and continued practicing as always.
Fast forward to me, it is more upsetting to me than to her. She got over coming in near last in all 4 strokes after a lollipop. For me, I have no clue what goals to expect. I have read that the only goals should be:
1. Have fun
2. Learn better stroke technique
3. Try to improve on times over the season
4. Have fun
The competitive side of me (which she never sees) wants her swimming 38 second 50s for each stroke.
Is there any advice anyone can give a conflicted father? What should my goal expectations for her be (her goal is to get wet and swim)?
Parents
Former Member
Thank you for the advice. This is why I am asking. Swimming is definitely not her only activity. She plays rec soccer as well. She has tried dance, watched cheerleading, seen karate/tae kwon do/etc. She enjoys soccer and swimming. If she enjoyed full contact basket weaving, I would get her involved in that. She loves going to swim practice and loves going to the meets. She is upset that she has to miss a practice because of a church function next week. We explained to her that it is impossible to be at every practice for year-round swim and no one is expected to be at everyone.
I posed this question because swimming is something I know nothing about. Swimming to me was who could jump from the 2nd story of my house and actually land in the pool. Now, I have to learn something entirely new to me so I am not that obnoxious, over-bearing parent. I am trying to correct bad behavior on my side so it does not discourage her. I hope that what I have learned can be compiled into a "Welcome New Swim Parent" guide for our team. There are probably 100-125 new parents like me that are absolutely clueless. Our coaches are very good and probably too nice to tell any of us to STOP. So, if a parent like myself can help in that regards, the better for all.
Any advice I can get is very helpful: good, bad, constructive, to-the-point.
Thank you.
Thank you for the advice. This is why I am asking. Swimming is definitely not her only activity. She plays rec soccer as well. She has tried dance, watched cheerleading, seen karate/tae kwon do/etc. She enjoys soccer and swimming. If she enjoyed full contact basket weaving, I would get her involved in that. She loves going to swim practice and loves going to the meets. She is upset that she has to miss a practice because of a church function next week. We explained to her that it is impossible to be at every practice for year-round swim and no one is expected to be at everyone.
I posed this question because swimming is something I know nothing about. Swimming to me was who could jump from the 2nd story of my house and actually land in the pool. Now, I have to learn something entirely new to me so I am not that obnoxious, over-bearing parent. I am trying to correct bad behavior on my side so it does not discourage her. I hope that what I have learned can be compiled into a "Welcome New Swim Parent" guide for our team. There are probably 100-125 new parents like me that are absolutely clueless. Our coaches are very good and probably too nice to tell any of us to STOP. So, if a parent like myself can help in that regards, the better for all.
Any advice I can get is very helpful: good, bad, constructive, to-the-point.
Thank you.
