I'm sure you guys can help... I am a masters swimmer. Our son is 17, has been a club swimmer for four years, and swims on his high school team. He swims with the senior 1 group, and his practices are 2 hours 45 minutes on the weekdays and two hours on Saturdays. He is a decent, solid swimmer (state but not sectional cuts in numerous events). He is a junior in high school and is currently taking five AP courses (his decision, not my husband's and mine). His grades are good and he works hard.
Recently, he has been feeling a lot of stress due to his workload in school and swimming. He told me last night that swimming isn't fun any more. He says he thinks he still wants to swim club, possibly at the senior 2 level instead, and still wants to swim high school. He actually isn't sure he even wants to drop to a less demanding group; he isn't really sure what to do. While I think his academic load is part of why he is stressed, I know that constantly staring at a black line for hours is playing a large part as well. Aside from being supportive of him and encouraging him to talk to his coach (who is my coach as well, which could possibly complicate things), is there anything I can do to help? I don't want to be one of "those" parents, but I want to do what is best for my son. Obviously I would like him to stay in the senior 1 group, but I'm not the one swimming there. His coach knows him well, as he has been with this coach for four years. Part of the issue is that our son doesn't want to let his coach down. I know it is his call, and I'm trying to stay as objective as possible.
I'm sure many of you experienced swim burnout as a teenager. Any suggestions you can give are much appreciated.
Kristin
Tell your son you love him, that swimming is his decision, I suggest you enthusiastically support him with whatever he chooses. Support him, let him know it's ok to change his mind.
Ask him to consider talking with:
+ his coach and tell him how he feels and what he feels he needs or
+ a counselor
He's feeling burned out and stressed.
He may need to take a break.
He may need to back off.
He might be in a slump.
He might be depressed.
Swim Faster Faster might help
He needs to find something that makes swimming fun for him.
He may need to figure out some sort of training comprimise.
like bounce between groups or get permission to skip practices or leave early when school is tough.
It's just swimming. Swimming in and of itself is not that important in the grand scheme of things. It is a great stress reliever, gives kids something positive to focus on & let's them be with their friends.
Good Luck
Tell your son you love him, that swimming is his decision, I suggest you enthusiastically support him with whatever he chooses. Support him, let him know it's ok to change his mind.
Ask him to consider talking with:
+ his coach and tell him how he feels and what he feels he needs or
+ a counselor
He's feeling burned out and stressed.
He may need to take a break.
He may need to back off.
He might be in a slump.
He might be depressed.
Swim Faster Faster might help
He needs to find something that makes swimming fun for him.
He may need to figure out some sort of training comprimise.
like bounce between groups or get permission to skip practices or leave early when school is tough.
It's just swimming. Swimming in and of itself is not that important in the grand scheme of things. It is a great stress reliever, gives kids something positive to focus on & let's them be with their friends.
Good Luck
