How do you know the difference if you are “Steering” your child to swim vs “Forcing” them to Swim? Daughter has been swimming since 3 and is now 9 (almost 10). She’s had some great moments like winning a Summer League All Star butterfly race when she was 8. But after that, we gave her the choice to do winter league and she didn’t want to (previously she said she had). She still had pretty good summer (before getting sick) and was still on B team for the relays, but it wasn’t the same at age 8. At the end of this summer, she admitted that she should have done some of the swim clinics before the start of the season.
But, now she goes back and forth. One time we will be swimming at the pool, and she asks if I think she’ll be in Lane 3 (fast lane). Then recently she said that she didn’t want to be competitive and only “liked” swimming.
In Jan – Feb 2018, I do have her signed up for some swim clinics. So 1x a week for 6 weeks. But, should we do more swimming after? A part of me thinks she needs some private lessons as her technique has eroded due to not being in classes/team. But, should I do that if it doesn’t matter to her?!? I mean she can swim.
I've seen her flip-flop about wanting to swim and not quite sure if she gets the effort. For example, she set a new PB in Fly this summer and was disappointed she didn’t get a ribbon – she was against 10 year olds that were fast. Well, geez, should have done the stroke clinics before the season like I said. I don’t think she’s fully grasped that the “separation is in the preparation” (to quote Russell Wilson).
I’m trying not to be a crazy parent. I want her to get the health benefit from swimming. She loves ballet and performing – I see her on the stage. But, she is going to need the exercise from swimming to keep in shape.
I feel like it was easier when she was younger and we would just take her to class 1x a week to learn to swim.
Any Advice? I’ve thought about asking her if she has goals for next summer. At times, I think we just sign her up for some lessons/stroke clinic (from March – May) where she should just swim 1 – 2 times per week (would that be “forcing”). Or do I wait and see how she responds to the Stroke Clinics, that I signed her up for in Jan- Feb?
Thoughts?
DanceDaddy
#tryingnottobecrazy
Funny thing about encouraging kids to take up the things that interest you (the parent). I've always been a swimmer. I made it my mission that my kids (now adults in their 20s) would at least be capable swimmers because of our frequent proximity to the water. Their swim lessons literally began the day they were born...and they quickly learned to swim. Through their childhood and adolescence I encouraged them to join swim clubs. Encouraged...not forced. But they never had any interest so I eventually stopped when they were in middle school. Then, when my daughter was in 10th grade she came to me and said she was joining the h.s. swim team. I was ecstatic. She swam through h.s., LOVED IT, and was sorry she hadn't joined the team in 9th grade. But I think she enjoyed it more because she did it her way, or her schedule.
Dan
Funny thing about encouraging kids to take up the things that interest you (the parent). I've always been a swimmer. I made it my mission that my kids (now adults in their 20s) would at least be capable swimmers because of our frequent proximity to the water. Their swim lessons literally began the day they were born...and they quickly learned to swim. Through their childhood and adolescence I encouraged them to join swim clubs. Encouraged...not forced. But they never had any interest so I eventually stopped when they were in middle school. Then, when my daughter was in 10th grade she came to me and said she was joining the h.s. swim team. I was ecstatic. She swam through h.s., LOVED IT, and was sorry she hadn't joined the team in 9th grade. But I think she enjoyed it more because she did it her way, or her schedule.
Dan
