One of the goals we set as parents swimmers is to help our children stay in the sport, if of course that is what those they have chosen. Stand by your little ones. So here are 4 secrets to improve and stand by our children in the best way:
1. Set a good example yourself
Take up sports, even if they don't include swimming, and show in your lifestyle how important fitness is. Since example motivates children much more than words, it is extremely unlikely that they will become active athletes.
2. Allow them to try different sports, with moderation and planning…
Most of the time the athletes who managed to reach the highest levels of swimming did not exclusively engage in this sport from a very young age. On the contrary, they tried many different sports, but always with moderation and planning...
Create a schedule of sports activities so that the child can organize psychologically and mentally the sport that will test his abilities.
But never in bulk and the most important never one after the other..!
For example swimming 17.00 to 18.30 and then 19.00 football or something else..
With the right structure in time and schedule when the time came, they decided for themselves which sport they liked best and were able to stay committed to their final choice.
3. Support your athletes through adolescence
Being the parent of an athlete is a bit like a stunt. As children grow older, they demand independence and want us to stay discreetly out of their lives. But under no circumstances should we stand aside with indifference. If we expect the children to go to the pool alone every day and we are not informed about the team, we might miss important information that will affect both the course and the mood of our children in relation to the sport.
4. Always remember that the child is the athlete
Swimming is a beautiful and spectacular sport, very attractive to anyone involved. However, it would be good to remember that the swimming pool is the place of our child and his coaches. Our own observations about sports meetings or technique are not necessary. Children should be free to learn things from the sport itself and especially from their successes and mistakes. Sometimes it's better to listen and, instead of commenting, tell our children how much we enjoy watching them swim.
Saltamanikas Nikolas
TEFAA graduate
Specialty Swimming
Coach for many years in well-known Nautical Clubs in all swimming categories
nikos.saltamanikas@gmail.com
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