Swim Mom

SwimMom Musings: Coaches Who Shine and Those Who Don’t

If you’ve been in this sport long enough every swimmer has had their share of the best, worst. and those in the middle. Sometimes swimmers don’t even realize what they have until they are gone.

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What Keeps Kids Coming Back to the Pool?

What are the motivating factors that keep our children interested in swimming? Why do they want to stick with a sport that is so demanding with practice before and after school, plus weekends for 50 weeks a year?

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Should Parents Encourage Kids to Take Recruit Trips?

Here are three ways student-athletes look at prospective schools and why they should go on recruit trips.

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3 Mistakes Swim Parents Should Never Make

Maybe there are perfect swim parents out there, but some of us need to remember that swimming offers many life lessons. Step back, let your kids learn and have fun. You will, too. Here are three tips on what swim parents should never do…

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4 Parent Tips About Hard Work Vs. Talent

We all have seen the naturally gifted kids at the pool. But what if our child is not as talented?

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Does Your Child Want To Swim In College?

If your child wants to swim in college there are several things for parents to consider. First—the most important question is—does your child want to swim in college—or, is this what you want?

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12 Parent Tips on How to Behave at Swim Practice

I haven’t been the perfect swim parent. I’ve learned from my own mistakes, plus from watching other parents. If you’re an involved swim parent, you’ve seen interesting days on the pool deck, with new parents and more seasoned ones.

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9 Ways Summers Are Different for Swim Families

Sunshine, sleeping in, family vacations and lazy days are what most people love about summer. For swimmers, coaches and families—not so much.

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9 Things Parents of Distance Swimmers Know

As the parent of distance swimmers, my days at meets are decidedly different from parents of sprinters.

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Are Parents Adding to Performance Pressure?

I believe our children experience more pressure to perform in their sports and academics today than we did. What can we do to help our children with performance pressure?

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Are You a Supportive or Overly-Involved Swim Parent?

Where do we cross the line from being supportive, to being “overly involved?” Look around at a swim meet and see if you can spot “those” parents. Then, take a look in the mirror and check to see what kind of swim parent you are.

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5 Reasons Why Our Kids Like to Swim

Why do our kids swim? What keeps them motivated to return to the pool day after day?

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SwimMom Musings: Why I Miss Summer Swim

For more than 90 Saturday’s between June and late July, I always knew where I would be — on a 14 -year journey that showed me what community and compassionate mean in the busy rush of our 21st Century lives. This summer I am former summer swim parent.

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Are You Ready for College Swim Parenting?

When your child goes off to college, the experience of swim parenting will change. Be prepared for a new role as the parent of a collegiate student-athlete.

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10 Tips to Improve Parent-Coach Relationships

“Parents today are out of control,” say a number of swim coaches. Don’t get me wrong; club coaches do appreciate us. They say, “We wouldn’t be able to exist without parents. Most parents are great.” Followed by, “But…”

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