Swim Meet

I was at my sons' swim meet yesterday. What interesting things you hear when you're sitting alone, listening to parents talk with their children.

Let us be kind and critical of our children.

A little girl just finished her race. When she returned to her obese dad, he said "You lost time. You were too far away on your flip turn." She said, in a perky voice, "I know" and walked away.

When I finish a race, I know, whether I've done my best, if there are things I could improve upon. I have the ability to self-critique. But, it is wonderful to hve my family waiting for me at the finish line, to see their smiles, and to hear how proud they are of me.

I cannot imagine what it would feel like to come in from a race, see a frowning husband saying, "You should have shortened your stride. You should have taken advantage of that hill." I would feel so low.

I'm not suggesting we spew falsities at our children about how wonderfully they swam if that is not the case. But I can assure you, the kind of criticism I heard from that dad, did not help that girl.

Let the coaches coach and the parent's be a support and encouragement. The coach's comment will surely be more constructive and helpful to the child!