Last weekend, I was at a USS swim meet and heard parents and coaches complaining about the "distraction" of many swimmers now. They blame this distraction (in addition to the rise of the boy/girl crazy period) on the advent of cell phones and IM-ing, etc. Apparently, at meets, and I've seen it, the kids spent scads of time on their cells phones, phoning friends, phoning kids across the pool, texting constantly (even to kids 5 feet away). Then they go home and IM for hours, checking and gossiping over the instant meet results and who beat who. Now, all the swimmers seem to know each other because, even if they're not on the same team or live in different states, they now can communicate easily via IM-ing and texting. I heard one coach say he's not sure how to get his swim kids to focus in this new techo-age. Obviously, some kids are focused like lasers, but I see an abundance of chatting and cell phone use too. Would kids do better without cell phones at meets? And is technology distracting them? Some seem to be swimming blazingly fast, but are others not swimming up to their potential because of this?
Well, I've never sent a text message in my life. So that is not distracting me during meets. No IMs either. I'm a real luddite. It's a miracle that I can even log on and post something.
I noticed that (S)he-man is living without a cell phone. It can be done. Not sure young kids need them either. Why? I can see why they would be a distraction at meets.
I've heard parents complain about it with respect to homework too. Kids do homework with itunes in the background and their phone on the desk beeping with text messages every few minutes.
My daughter's 23 yr old swim teacher texts me - it makes me feel 'cool'. And I text him back, because of course, I am.:laugh2:
Yes, you're a cool broad, and I'm obviously missing out on life. I was a geek when I was young too. Oh well.
I don't see masters swimmers texting away at meets though.
Sigh, but it's the world we live in. Back in the old days, kids passed notes in class or threw spitballs or carried around what I remember being called "personality books" (the low-tech "my space" I think).
Still, I sympathize, b/c my classes of college students don't always listen to my reminders to turn off and put away cell phones. (I'll even make a point of turning off mine and stashing it back in my bag.) Fortunately, I never had the experience a friend did: a student took a cell phone call in class and just began talking in his normal voice, not even quietly.
They're learning young.
Easy fix: It's called a hand you pick up the cell phone and then use the leg thingies to walk away with it leaving said "child" to do what they are supposed to. If child protest and gets disrespectful...use your free hand to encourage them to watch there lip...
I'm sorry if you give your kid a phone. It should be off and out of reach during study time. Music is ok..to a point. If someone wants to contact the kid during homework study time...then they have to go via parent...who should remain in room while the "brief" conversation about homework takes place. Everything else can wait until tomorrow.
I can't wait to be a real ogre and tyrant to my kids...they'll look back warmly on their teenage years...
I can tell your kids are younger than mine. You have to be lay down rules, but you gotta give them some room too.
Some parents think that kids are adapted to multi-tasking while doing homework, etc., and that it doesn't hinder them. I've heard both views. I tend to be more old-fashioned and think they should be focused on their homework or swimming. But others don't. I guess their grades and times are the test.
Yeah, kids spend way too much time sitting on the computers talking to friends and gossiping about swimming and other nonsense. Why don't the log off and go find something to do that's more meaning ful and productive?
Really, who do they think they are? USMS forumites or something?
:dedhorse::rofl::dedhorse::dedhorse::rofl::party2::party2::party2::Lurking:
I've heard parents complain about it with respect to homework too. Kids do homework with itunes in the background and their phone on the desk beeping with text messages every few minutes.
Easy fix: It's called a hand; you pick up the cell phone and then use the leg thingies to walk away with it leaving said "child" to do what they are supposed to. If child protest and gets disrespectful...use your free hand to encourage them to watch there lip...
I'm sorry if you give your kid a phone. It should be off and out of reach during study time. Music is ok..to a point. If someone wants to contact the kid during homework study time...then they have to go via parent...who should remain in room while the "brief" conversation about homework takes place. Everything else can wait until tomorrow.
I can't wait to be a real ogre and tyrant to my kids...they'll look back warmly on their teenage years...
