TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR SWIMMING PARENTS

(From United States Swimming Parents' Handbook)

Thou shalt not impose your ambitions on thy child. Remember that swimming is
your child's activity. Improvements and progress occur at different rates
for each individual. Don't judge your child's progress based on the
performance of other athletes and don't push them based on what you think
they should be doing. The nice thing about swimming is every person can
strive to do their personal best.

Thou shalt be supportive no matter what. There is only one question to ask
your child "Did you have fun?" If meets and practices are not fun, your
child should not be forced to participate.

Thou shalt not coach your child. You have taken your child to a professional
coach, do not undermine that coach by trying to coach your child on the
side. Your job is to support, love and hug your child no matter what. The
coach is responsible for the technical part of the job. You should not offer
advice on technique or race strategy. That is not your area. This will only
serve to confuse your child and prevent that swimmer/ coach bond from
forming.

Thou shalt only have positive things to say at a swimming meet. If you are
going to show up at a swimming meet, you should cheer and applaud, but never
criticize your child or the coach.

Thou shalt acknowledge thy child's fears. At a first swimming meet any race
can be cause a stressful situation. It is totally appropriate for your child
to be scared. Don't yell or belittle, just assure your child that the coach
would not have suggested the event if your child was not ready to compete in
it.

Thou shalt not criticize the officials. If you do not have the time or the
desire to volunteer as an official, don't criticize those who are doing the
best they can.

Honor thy child's coach. The bond between coach and swimmer is a special
one, and one that contributes to your child's success as well as fun. Do not
criticize the coach in the presence of your child, it will only serve to
hurt your child's swimming.

Thou shalt not jump from team to team. The water isn't necessarily bluer at
the other team's pool. Every team has its own internal problems, even teams
that build champions. Children who switch from team to team are often
ostracized for a long, long time by the teammates they leave behind. Often
times swimmers who do switch teams never do better than they did before they
sought the bluer water.

Thy child shalt have goals besides winning. Giving an honest effort
regardless of what the outcome is, is much more important than winning. One
Olympian said, "My goal was to set a world record. Well, I did that, but
someone else did it too, just a little faster than I did. I achieved my goal
and I lost. This does not make me a failure, in fact, I am very proud of
that swim."

Thou shalt not expect thy child to become an Olympian. There are over
300,000 athletes who swim. There are only 52 spots available for the Olympic
Team every four years. Your child's odds of becoming an Olympian are 1 in
about 5,000. Swimming is much more than just the Olympics. Ask your coach
why they coach. Chances are, he was not an Olympian, but still got enough
out of swimming that they want to pass that love for the sport on to others.
Swimming teaches self discipline and sportsmanship; it builds self esteem
and fitness; it provides lifelong friendships and much more. Most Olympians
will tell you that these intangibles far outweigh any medal they may have
won. Swimming builds good people and you should be happy that your child
wants to participate.