Greetings all!!
A LONG time ago, I was an age group swimmer. Not all that good, really ... basically I was a 5-6-7 finisher from age 8 through high school. (Thus, no one wanted me for anything more serious!!)
My son, now age 8.5, started swimming on a team this summer and seemed to enjoy it. It was at an outdoor pool and it was a pretty laid back program. This month, we started him in a YMCA program that's considerable more organized. He seems to have a lot of natural talent (for his swimming, baseball, skiing, school work) but no PASSION for anything ... yet.
Now, I know that he's young and I definitely don't want to be a pushy parent, but I do have a question.
For those of you who had success swimming post-high school (college level or nationally), when did that spark of PASSION to really do something special ignite? Was it something your parents did ... or, maybe, did not do? Was it a coach? Happen young? Or late?
I want to encourage him but not pressure him. I had little talent, and thus wasn't able to do all that much athletically. But, he seems to have a LOT of natural talent and I don't want to see him pass up opportunities.
Thanks in advance for any thoughts.
Cheers!!
Ken
Parents
Former Member
Don't push. Encourage him. Don't let them give up at first challenge either.
Tell him to give his best efforts in the races/game but don't force him to play or race.
Never scream out from the bleachers about mistakes.
Ask if they have fun after the race/game.
Talk about things they can work on doing right after (but only if you know what you're talking about).
End the discussion on a positive note about something they did really well.
And last...Never wear anything remotely embarrassing...
:rofl:
Don't push. Encourage him. Don't let them give up at first challenge either.
Tell him to give his best efforts in the races/game but don't force him to play or race.
Never scream out from the bleachers about mistakes.
Ask if they have fun after the race/game.
Talk about things they can work on doing right after (but only if you know what you're talking about).
End the discussion on a positive note about something they did really well.
And last...Never wear anything remotely embarrassing...
:rofl:
