Swim Parents Role

Here are some practical tips to help you! Also, please check out the the bottom of this page to read up on The Ten Commandments for Swimmers Parents.

Be Enthusiastic and Supportive
As a parent, your major responsibility is to provide a stable, loving and supportive environment for your swimmer. This positive environment will encourage your child to continue, especially during difficult or disappointing times. Show your interest by ensuring your child's attendance at practices, and by coming to meets.

Parents are not only participants on their child's team, but contribute to the success experienced by the child and his team. Parents serve as role models and their attitudes are often emulated by their children. Be aware of this and strive to be positive models. Most importantly, show good sportsmanship at all time toward coaches, officials, opponents and teammates.

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. The most important part of your child's swimming experience is that he learn about himself while enjoying the sport. This healthy environment encourages learning and ft which will develop a positive self-image within your child.

Emphasize the Positive.
The best way to help a child achieve his goals and reduce the natural fear of failure is through positive reinforcement. No one likes to make a mistake. If your child does make one, remember that she is still learning. Encourage his efforts and point out the things he did well. As long as they gave their best effort, you should make them feel like a winner.

What Happens if Your Child Has a Disappointing Swim
If your child has a poor race and comes out of it feeling bad, talk about the good things.The first thing you say is, "Hey, that's not like you. You're usually a top swimmer." Then you can go on and talk about the good things the child did. Never talk about the negative things.

When yoru child comes up to you and says, "That was a bad race, don't tell me it wasn't," then remember there is nothing wrong with a swimmer negatively evaluating a race. The important thing is for the child not to dwell on it. You should move the swimmer on to something good. "All right, you have had a bad race. How do you think you can do better next time?" Immediately start talking about the positive things.

And finally, read: The Ten Commandments for Swimmers Parents