PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES

Competitive swimming programs provide many benefits to young athletes. They develop self-discipline, good sportsmanship, and time management skills. Competition allows the swimmer to experience success and to learn how to deal with defeat while becoming healthy and physically fit.

As a parent, your major responsibility is to provide a stable, loving and supportive environment. This positive environment will encourage your child to continue. Show your interest by ensuring your child's attendance at practices and by coming to meets.

Parents are not participants on their child's team, but contribute to the success experienced by the child and his or her team. Parents serve as role models and their children often emulate their attitudes. Be aware of this and strive to be positive models. Most importantly, show good sportsmanship at all times toward coaches, officials, opponents and teammates.

BE ENTHUSIASTIC AND SUPPORTIVE

Remember that your child is the swimmer. Children need to establish their own goals and make their own progress towards them. Be careful not to impose your own standards and goals.

Do not overburden your child with winning or achieving best times. The most important part of your child's swimming experience is that he or she learns about himself or herself while enjoying the sport. This healthy environment encourages learning and fun, which will develop a positive self-image within your child.

LET THE COACH COACH

The best way to help a child achieve his/her goals and reduce the natural fear of failure is through positive reinforcement. No one likes to make a mistake. If your child does make one, remember that he/she is still learning. Encourage his/her efforts and point out the thing he/she did well. As long as he/she gave his/her best effort, you should make him/her feel like a winner. Get Your Child There on Time.

As in all sports, there are many events that your child must attend; practices, team meetings, competitions, special events, team bus, etc& The coach wants your child to enjoy the experiences of swimming as much as possible. The coach also has a responsibility to look after the team as a whole. Start times are very important to get the most use out of pool times, ensure arrival commitments are made and events generally go as planned. Late or inconsiderate members hurt everyone. If your child is going go be late or miss, let someone know.

BECOME INVOLVED

Try to get involved in some aspect of the club. This doesn't mean an executive position in your first year. An easy position is to sign up to be an official at the first swim meet. You get to enjoy the competition, meet other parents and watch your child participate. Officiating can be fun and you can progress through the levels at a similar rate as your child. Very few other sports provide this opportunity.

Try to understand the club's affairs. You don't have to run for a position on the executive, but asking questions and finding out how things work help us all in the end. You may also have an expertise that the club could tap into for assistance.