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Competitive swimming programs provide many
benefits to young athletes including
self‑discipline, good sportsmanship, and time
management skills. Competition allows the swimmer
to experience success and to learn how to treat
success and failure as two sides of the same coin,
while becoming healthy and physically fit. As a
parent, your major responsibility is to provide a
stable, loving and supportive environment. This
positive environment will encourage your child to
continue. Show your interest by ensuring your
child's attendance at practices, by coming to
swimming meets and volunteering for your club at
swim meets, or by participating in fundraising,
etc.
Parents contribute to the success experienced
by the child and the team. Parents serve as role
models and their children emulate their attitudes.
Be aware of this and strive to be positive role
models. Most importantly, show good
sportsmanship at all times toward coaches,
officials, opponents and teammates. Remember that
you are teaching your child at all times.
Be Enthusiastic and
Supportive!
 Remember that your
child is the swimmer. Children need to establish
their own goals, and make their own progress
towards them. Be careful not to impose your own
standards and goals. Do not over burden your child
with winning or achieving best times. Let them
know that first they are the child you love, and
second, a swimmer. Tell them you will love them
whether they swim well or not, and ask only that
they give their best effort. Learning about
oneself while enjoying the sport is the most
important part of the swimming experience. The
swimming environment encourages learning and fun,
which will help your child develop a positive
self‑image.
Positive Parenting Tips
- Your child needs your emotional, physical,
and financial support. Be liberal in providing
this support.
- Support but do not push your child.
- Understand development – long-term
development as an athlete, and growth and
development as it impacts performance.
- Be realistic in terms of expectations;
factor in age and skill level; be aware of your
child’s perception of your expectations.
- Emphasize performance and effort, not just
outcome. The athlete only has control over
his/her performance. Define and measure success
as giving maximal effort and as personal
improvement.
- Keep winning in perspective.
- Do not bribe.
- Give plenty of encouraging and rewarding
statements. Criticize sparingly.
- View swimming as an arena in which to teach
your child about commitment, hard work,
and coping with adversity.
- Work to form an effective
Coach-Athlete-Parent Triangle.
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