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
I'd make sure he has FUN at it for now. Learn to do the strokes well, and efficiently, looking good. Lots of body changes going on, staying coordinate is a challenge. Rewards work to a point.
Make sure you trust the coach to apply the right amount of pressure and encouragement, and in 8 y.o. terms.
I've been working with my kids to get them to be more challenge-oriented. Something simple at first, they accomplish it, they get rewarded and excited, then the next challenge is ratcheted up a bit. If they don't bite, patience. Once they get motivated by feeling good about their accomplishments, they might go in any direction possible, even if it's not swimming. Every kid is different. It might have worked for us, so far, and we're looking at contributions to future car payments, etc. in exchange for serious, forward-thinking achievements at school, scouting, etc. that we think they will respond to. Otherwise, they get to sweat out their own financials on discretionary purchases.
My 2 cents,
DV
I'd make sure he has FUN at it for now. Learn to do the strokes well, and efficiently, looking good. Lots of body changes going on, staying coordinate is a challenge. Rewards work to a point.
Make sure you trust the coach to apply the right amount of pressure and encouragement, and in 8 y.o. terms.
I've been working with my kids to get them to be more challenge-oriented. Something simple at first, they accomplish it, they get rewarded and excited, then the next challenge is ratcheted up a bit. If they don't bite, patience. Once they get motivated by feeling good about their accomplishments, they might go in any direction possible, even if it's not swimming. Every kid is different. It might have worked for us, so far, and we're looking at contributions to future car payments, etc. in exchange for serious, forward-thinking achievements at school, scouting, etc. that we think they will respond to. Otherwise, they get to sweat out their own financials on discretionary purchases.
My 2 cents,
DV
