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
Maybe so, but I'd wonder how many parents with this philosophy were "coached" by their parents and liked it. I know there are probably some. The parents I knew who felt the need to "coach" their kids usually went overboard in my opinion. There's a fine line and I have to watch it with swimming more than any other activity with my kids. I really think they just want me to tell them I'm proud of them for getting in there and doing their best.
I agree. It's one thing to give your kid a few tips in rec soccer, as Rich has done, explaining off side rules, reminding them to use their left foot, etc. But it's easy to go over the line. When they get to travel soccer or travel whatever, it's better to shut your mouth. This applies to swimming, which is likewise professionally coached. If you feel the professional coach hasn't addressed a particular issue, speak with the coach or get the kid a private lesson on the side.
It's fairly easy, I find, to be a good swim parent for young kids. I think it's more challenging when they get older. It'd be nice to have a set of "ten commandments" as to how to deal with teenagers on the rollercoaster wailing about whether and when they'll ever improve.
Personally, I'm pretty burned out myself, LOL, so my youngest just swims 1x a week with her summer swim league group. I coach, but never her lane.
Maybe so, but I'd wonder how many parents with this philosophy were "coached" by their parents and liked it. I know there are probably some. The parents I knew who felt the need to "coach" their kids usually went overboard in my opinion. There's a fine line and I have to watch it with swimming more than any other activity with my kids. I really think they just want me to tell them I'm proud of them for getting in there and doing their best.
I agree. It's one thing to give your kid a few tips in rec soccer, as Rich has done, explaining off side rules, reminding them to use their left foot, etc. But it's easy to go over the line. When they get to travel soccer or travel whatever, it's better to shut your mouth. This applies to swimming, which is likewise professionally coached. If you feel the professional coach hasn't addressed a particular issue, speak with the coach or get the kid a private lesson on the side.
It's fairly easy, I find, to be a good swim parent for young kids. I think it's more challenging when they get older. It'd be nice to have a set of "ten commandments" as to how to deal with teenagers on the rollercoaster wailing about whether and when they'll ever improve.
Personally, I'm pretty burned out myself, LOL, so my youngest just swims 1x a week with her summer swim league group. I coach, but never her lane.
