Enough about the kids. What about us? Is swimming eating its parents? Are we aging badly because we're always up before dawn driving our kids to swim practice? I know parents who hate swimming. I know parents who are sleeping in their cars during their kids' 4:40 am practices. Is this healthy? Can't we have more evening practices? I know the kids have to double up sometimes, but we may have an epidemic of sleep-deprived grumpy parents. Like me, I did not want to get up this morning. :coffee:
HEY! I GOT DIBS ON DONNATHE DISTANCE CHICK :wiggle:
But you're a breaststroker, Rich. And I saw that cute picture of you with the wife and kids! And exactly what are you? A dance parent, a swim parent or a soccer parent? Shouldn't you be conversing with us about being eaten by swimming if you're on this thread?
Besides, I have a guest cottage and pool in my backyard (can't you see me jumping in?) where Donna could happily live. Our summer league pool is within walking distance and she could do her 11-13 SPLs there. Of course, it probably can't compete with your outdoor hottub ... Maybe I'll move to CT. :rofl:
Here we have one practice daily, evenings during the school year and mornings in the summer. My wife is the coach and it's a small, low key program. Since she is the coach, I'm the soccer dad. I get to take my son to practices, games and tournaments, while she and my daughter go to swim meets. I'll be glad when he gets in H.S. Then we'll only have to travel during the fall season. I think kids sports in general are tough on parents because of the time and expense.
NKFrench and KNelson, you should have the decency to be commiserating with us with great heaps of enthusiasm if you're on this thread instead of flaunting all that free time you've got to train. I'm jealous.
There is a subversive conspiracy where I live to raise the driving age to 17. It is already 16 1/2. No one wants to let their kid drive anyway because all we hear about are teenage accidents and teenage drinking. So I think we should kick out all the noodlers and rec swimmers out during the night hours and let the USS kids swim so I can sleep in. J/K-ing of course.
I tried sleeping in the car with the seat back this summer. I almost suffocated from the heat. No sleeping bag. Too girlie.
Enough about the kids. What about us? Is swimming eating its parents? Are we aging badly because we're always up before dawn driving our kids to swim practice? I know parents who hate swimming. I know parents who are sleeping in their cars during their kids' 4:40 am practices. Is this healthy? Can't we have more evening practices? I know the kids have to double up sometimes, but we may have an epidemic of sleep-deprived grumpy parents. Like me, I did not want to get up this morning. :coffee:
Swimmer mom's > Soccer moms IMHO ;)
I'm no help here as I do not have children, just a husband whom I consider "my child" sometimes because after 25 years of marriage, he does what he wants :rofl:.
Is it possible that many swim coaches also have "day jobs" so this is why they insist on early morning practices?
Gee, if I lived in your area, I could be your new best friend and haul your kids around because I am always up at 4:00AM and ready to go. This is because the sun comes up very, very early here and life starts way before 6AM here.
Donna
But you're a breaststroker, Rich. And I saw that cute picture of you with the wife and kids! And exactly what are you? A dance parent, a swim parent or a soccer parent? Shouldn't you be conversing with us about being eaten by swimming if you're on this thread?
Besides, I have a guest cottage and pool in my backyard (can't you see me jumping in?) where Donna could happily live. Our summer league pool is within walking distance and she could do her 11-13 SPLs there. Of course, it probably can't compete with your outdoor hottub ... Maybe I'll move to CT. :rofl:
"If you like Pina Coladas?" LOL
One reason I never got into USS back when I was younger was that my parents didn't want to get "eaten" by alarms going off at ungodly hours of the morning to drive me to practice.
The other reason was that I didn't want to get up either ;)
:coffee:
I didn't swim much as a kid ... a bit in high school ... but when I got my license my parents were happy to hand me the keys so I could drive myself to gymnastics ... 5-6 days a week during rush hour (practice was like 5-9) ... I also don't think I was always the most greatful child ... I believe I frequently complained the entire ride there about being tired, injured, sore ... and on ...
My mom told me I could swim doubles, then go to gymnastics, because I'd probably kill myself in the gym and so I chose gymnastics ... now I wish I had swum instead, but oh well ...
So on behalf of kids everywhere, thank you parents for all of your time, money, and carpooling services ... and thanks to those who volunteer their time ...
