{"id":104,"date":"2018-04-19T09:36:32","date_gmt":"2018-04-19T13:36:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swimmirror.com\/blog\/?p=104"},"modified":"2023-10-16T12:10:30","modified_gmt":"2023-10-16T16:10:30","slug":"5-tips-best-swim-parent-ever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swimmirror.com\/blog\/5-tips-best-swim-parent-ever\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Tips on How to Be the Best Swim Parent Ever"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-flat ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title ez-toc-toggle\" style=\"cursor:pointer\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/swimmirror.com\/blog\/5-tips-best-swim-parent-ever\/#What_to_Do_When_Your_Kid_Wants_to_Be_a_Competitive_Swimmer\" >What to Do When Your Kid Wants to Be a Competitive Swimmer<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/swimmirror.com\/blog\/5-tips-best-swim-parent-ever\/#1_Be_Supportive_and_Positive\" >1) Be Supportive and Positive.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/swimmirror.com\/blog\/5-tips-best-swim-parent-ever\/#2_If_You_Can_Join_in_and_Volunteer\" >2) If You Can, Join in and Volunteer!<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/swimmirror.com\/blog\/5-tips-best-swim-parent-ever\/#3_Dont_Just_Focus_on_Winning\" >3) Don\u2019t Just Focus on Winning.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/swimmirror.com\/blog\/5-tips-best-swim-parent-ever\/#4_Bribery_Doesnt_Work_%E2%80%93_But_Motivation_Does\" >4) Bribery Doesn\u2019t Work \u2013 But Motivation Does.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/swimmirror.com\/blog\/5-tips-best-swim-parent-ever\/#5_Your_Kid_Swims_at_their_Own_Pace\" >5) Your Kid Swims at their Own Pace.<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Do_When_Your_Kid_Wants_to_Be_a_Competitive_Swimmer\"><\/span>What to Do When Your Kid Wants to Be a Competitive Swimmer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When your kid looks up to you and says, \u201cI want to be a competitive swimmer,\u201d you stop being a normal parent and start being a swim parent.<\/p>\n<p>You might be thrilled at this news or overwhelmed at the thought of the endless swimming meets and practices now lined up in your schedule. Mostly, though, we\u2019re betting you want to know the ways you can be the best swim parent you can be for your kid.<\/p>\n<p>So, do the best swim moms and swim dads buy the most competitive swim gear? Bring the best food? Shout the loudest at swim meets? Sure, some do, but we promise it doesn\u2019t have to be quite that complicated or expensive.<\/p>\n<p>At SwimMirror, we want to help every parent be the best swim parent ever. Here\u2019s five tips to get you started!<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Be_Supportive_and_Positive\"><\/span>1) Be Supportive and Positive.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>This sounds obvious, right? \u201cOf course, I\u2019m going to be supportive! I wouldn\u2019t be reading this blog if I wasn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>This goes beyond just saying, \u201cI support you,\u201d though. It means not adding to the pressure that comes with competitive swimming, and instead, being part of what calms your athlete down and motivates them.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s easy to get performance jitters when you start out as a swimmer, so when your child is worried, help them work through it. That voice in your head never completely goes away (and in some ways that\u2019s good!), but having an encouraging parent definitely helps to push off some of that pre-race anxiety.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_If_You_Can_Join_in_and_Volunteer\"><\/span>2) If You Can, Join in and Volunteer!<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Pro swim moms know all about the importance of volunteering for swim meets. It\u2019s a great way to make friends with other parents who are dealing with the same struggles you and your kid are.<\/p>\n<p>An easy go-to for new parents is the snack bar.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/swimmirror.com\/blog\/good-swim-nutrition-essential-great-swimming\/\"><strong><u>Good nutrition<\/u><\/strong><\/a> is essential to great swimming, after all! (You think your kid eats a lot now? Wait until they\u2019re swimming regularly.) You have to stand on your feet for a bit, but it\u2019s a good way to get to know your group.<\/p>\n<p>Not much of a social butterfly? Anxious at the thought of volunteering? There\u2019s a lot of ways to support your child\u2019s swim team, so don\u2019t worry. You can find the way that works best for you. Head timers, clerical work, marshaling\u2026 the list is endless.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Dont_Just_Focus_on_Winning\"><\/span>3) Don\u2019t Just Focus on Winning.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Being competitive is fine, but don\u2019t obsess over winning! Even if it\u2019s playful, sometimes kids can take that too much to heart. Everyone knows not to be a sore loser, but no one likes an ungracious winner, either.<\/p>\n<p>So, don\u2019t complain at the official if your kid is disqualified. If you\u2019re fuming over a race\u2019s results or being smug that your kid won, don\u2019t be surprised if your kid imitates your behavior\u2026 or is disappointed (and embarrassed!) when they don\u2019t meet your expectations.<\/p>\n<p>Besides, you\u2019re not the coach. You\u2019re the swim parent, and that\u2019s an important enough job all on its own.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Bribery_Doesnt_Work_%E2%80%93_But_Motivation_Does\"><\/span>4) Bribery Doesn\u2019t Work \u2013 But Motivation Does.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>We understand the urge to dangle carrots. Still, you should avoid promising cash, nights out at their favorite restaurant, and so on to \u201cmotivate\u201d your swimmer. It\u2019s a good way to paint yourself in a corner when your kid keeps demanding higher and higher rewards for their success, and then quits when you can\u2019t follow through.<\/p>\n<p>Swimming should be something your kid enjoys, not something they do to win prizes. Don\u2019t define success by tangible rewards, but by being the very best you can be, and working hard to improve. And it should be <em>fun<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>The way to succeed at\u00a0competitive swimming is by putting the work in, and bribery is no way to create a <a href=\"https:\/\/swimmirror.com\/blog\/the-5-habits-of-highly-efficient-swimmers\/\">reliable work ethic.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Your_Kid_Swims_at_their_Own_Pace\"><\/span>5) Your Kid Swims at their Own Pace.<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Especially among young swimmers, everyone learns differently and at different speeds. What might be easy for your swimmer is difficult for another, and vice versa. Don\u2019t measure your child\u2019s success against another swimmer\u2019s, and watch that your kid isn\u2019t envying other faster swimmers or looking down on those who learn at a slower pace.<\/p>\n<p>Your young swimmer may be obsessed with times, but the real way to do well at swimming is through <a href=\"https:\/\/swimmirror.com\/blog\/8-common-swim-stroke-mistakes-you-can-fix-with-swimmirror\/\">good technique<\/a> and control. That\u2019s the stuff you learn when you slow down and reflect on each stroke.<\/p>\n<p>No one becomes the next <a href=\"https:\/\/swimmirror.com\/blog\/10-facts-you-dont-know-about-rowdy-gaines\/\">Rowdy Gaines<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/swimmirror.com\/blog\/swimmirror-announces-amanda-beard-endorsement\/\">Amanda Beard<\/a> in a day, after all.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Looking for a way to help the young swimmer in your life?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">Check out <a href=\"https:\/\/swimmirror.com\/\"><strong>SwimMirror<\/strong><\/a>, the simple pool mirror that lets you assess your strokes in real-time!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What to Do When Your Kid Wants to Be a Competitive Swimmer When your kid looks up to you and says, \u201cI want to be a competitive swimmer,\u201d you stop being a normal parent and start being a swim parent. You might be thrilled at this news or overwhelmed at the thought of the endless<a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/swimmirror.com\/blog\/5-tips-best-swim-parent-ever\/\" title=\"More\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":109,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[26,25,27],"tags":[20,21,47,45,46,40,44,18,19,17,22,5],"class_list":["post-104","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kids-swim-training","category-swim-training","category-swimmirror-news","tag-coach","tag-competitive-swimming","tag-competitive-swimming-gear","tag-endless-swimming","tag-olympic-swimming-technique","tag-pool-mirror","tag-swim-meet","tag-swim-mom","tag-swim-parent","tag-swimming","tag-swimming-tips","tag-swimmirror"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swimmirror.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swimmirror.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swimmirror.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swimmirror.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swimmirror.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=104"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/swimmirror.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":483,"href":"https:\/\/swimmirror.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/104\/revisions\/483"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swimmirror.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/109"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swimmirror.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=104"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swimmirror.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=104"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swimmirror.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=104"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}