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 wouldn't push too hard. I was a swimmer growing up. When I started swimming in high school I was really pushed. I had a couple college offers which made my parents and coaches push even harder.
One thing I remember most was burnout.
Since your kid is starting even younger than I had, you have to be careful of burning them out. If it's not their passion and you push them into it, they're going to rebel against it or again, burn out.
I wouldn't push too hard. I was a swimmer growing up. When I started swimming in high school I was really pushed. I had a couple college offers which made my parents and coaches push even harder.
One thing I remember most was burnout.
Since your kid is starting even younger than I had, you have to be careful of burning them out. If it's not their passion and you push them into it, they're going to rebel against it or again, burn out.
