Swim Parenting

When swimmers, coaches, and parents work together, success follows.  A few smart moves go a long way.  

 

✅ Be Supportive—Always

Whether they win or lose, your child needs your love and encouragement. Stay steady through highs and lows.   Be your child’s biggest fan, not their coach.   Help them juggle swimming, school, and mates—and remind them they’re brilliant, medals or not.  Before galas, ask your child how they want you to be—cheering loudly or quietly supporting.   Everyone’s different, and your actions should feel like a boost, not a burden.

 

 

✅ Let Kids be Kids!

 Even if they’re great at swimming, it’s still a hobby—fun should come first. You want them to look back with smiles, not scars.   Keep it joyful, not judgmental.   Make time for leisure / play that's not reward /performance based.  Make space for silliness, friendships, and downtime. Sport is part of their life — not all of it.

 

 

❌ Don’t Let Your Actions Create a Sense of Failure! 

Kids grow at different rates. Focus on personal progress, not comparisons.  There's always room for praise.   Praise their dedication, resilience, and attitude. These are the traits that build character — and confidence.

 

 

❌ Don’t Pressure Your Child

  Let swimming be their passion, not a project.  You can’t control meet results, coaching decisions, or other parents. But you can control your own tone, your support, and your presence.  Even when you feel stress and chaos, you're the adult.  Model calm, even when you don't necessarily feel it and do make time later, to talk things over -calmly - at a time that feels right for you both.  

 

 

❌ Don’t Push for Olympic Glory

Dreams are great, but happiness matters more. Childhood and sport should be about growth, joy, and identity, not just medals 

Let joy lead the way.  - A Happy Swimmer is a Fast Swimmer! 

 

 

✅ Encourage Independence and Routine

Confidence starts with ownership. Let them pack their own bag, prep their gear, and take charge.  A solid routine and balanced life fuel success—in and out of the pool. Swimming regularly starts before sunrise. Your child needs to be up, fed, and pool-ready, all before school and possibly another training session later. Early mornings are tough, but a solid routine makes all the difference.   Coaches shape technique, but it’s you, the parents who will help shape them as champions.  

 

 

❌ Don’t Dangle Carrots

Avoid bribery. Praise effort and attitude—not just results.  However tempting it seems, offering rewards to encourage speed in the water can backfire.  It can take away their focus, undermine internal motivation and, if it doesn't 'work' cause anxiety and shame.   By all means, celebrate achievement afterwards.   

 

 

✅ Respect the Coach

Trust their expertise. Communicate respectfully and outside of session time as per club policy. 

 

 

❌ Don’t Be the Coach

Your role is emotional support, not technical instruction. Let coaches coach.  Trust the professionals to handle technique and training.  Even if you have a swimming background, what you say to your child may in fact contradict and confuse the instruction they're given in the pool.

 

 

✅ Be Loyal to the Team

Cheer for everyone. Team spirit lifts all swimmers.

 

 

❌ Don’t Criticise Officials

Most are dedicated volunteers doing their absolute best. Remember, they undergo rigorous training and certification and are doing their utmost to maintain order and fair play.   Let the coach handle any disputes.  

 

 

❌ Don’t Get Caught up in Parent Rivalry

It’s easy to get swept up in comparisons. But this is your child’s journey, not yours. Cheer them on, that’s it.