Elizabeth Wickham

What We Can Learn from Sam Darnold’s Parents

Although most of us do not have children with Sam’s natural talent, we can learn a lot from how his parents let him be a kid.

  2 Comments

3 Ways For Swim Parents To Make The Last Year Count

“I tell my swimmers to try for best times and leave on a high note their senior year,” said Tim Hill, a coach with more than 30 years experience at the club and collegiate level.

  1 Comment

6 Things Parents Like to Do at Meets

Some parents love meets, while others not so much. Here’s are six ways to get more enjoyment out of swim meets.

  6 Comments

Why Swimmers (and Parents) Should Take A Break

Hopefully your kids have time off between school and the pool, but even if they don’t, the time off from swimming will make their first school days easier.

  2 Comments

Where Did All the Parent Volunteers Go?

There’s been a downward trend in volunteerism the past decade. Each year we have fewer and fewer parents stepping up to help youth sports, schools or other community programs.

  24 Comments

Why kids should go on travel trips

Not every team offers travel trips, but if yours does, your kids will benefit from them. Team travel means swimmers travel to a meet or other activity that is planned or supervised by the team or LSC—without mom and dad driving and staying with their kids.

  3 Comments

Swim Mom: Three Reasons Why Kids Need Morning Practice

In addition to improving their swimming, here are three ways kids benefit with morning practice.

  37 Comments

10 Things That Make a Swim Meet Great

For parents who drive to meets to watch for countless hours, what makes some meets stand out from others? Why are some meets more fun?

  3 Comments

How Can Parents Encourage a Mindset of a Champion?

Here are a few tips about encouraging a growth mindset in our kids.

  4 Comments

12 Hints You Might Be a Hovering, Helicopter Swim Parent

Here are 12 things we may do around the pool our kids should take over as they grow. Some we should never do.

  49 Comments

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?

  1 Comment

Four Reasons Why Swim Parents Should Act Like Grandparents

Have you ever heard that swim parents should act more like grandparents? My dad—a grandpa—approaches swim meets very differently. I believe if I could adopt his outlook, I’d be calmer and happier at swim meets.

  20 Comments

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.

  8 Comments

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…

  11 Comments

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?

  2 Comments