Some children become so involved in athletics that they neglect studies, families and social responsibilities. Both you and your child need to remember that swimming is only part of life. 

Sometimes children overemphasize sport because their parents do.  Ask yourself if you’re giving unbalanced attention to your child’s “swimming career.”  If so, slack off and show interest in other areas of your child’s life. 

Otherwise you risk giving your child the impression that swimming is the most important thing in life. If you are overly involved in the team or overly concerned with the outcome of your child’s races you are not modeling the balance that your child needs to learn. Other signs that things are out of balance:

• You spend a lot of time talking with the coach about practices, meets, and your child’s development

• Your child asks you not to come to meets or practices

• You require your child to take extra practice or private lessons

• You are the indispensable “swim team parent”