Question for all you out there who have ever been a kid or a parent! It is time to sign up Anna and Joshua for the swim meet. You sign them up individiually for competing in the four races for their age group. (freestyle,breast,butterfly,back).
My question is regarding Joshua. For those of you who know him - he does not eagerly embrace new things. He wants to, but it is hard for him. He likes to watch and watch and then watch some more. However, when he does enter in, he puts his whole heart in it. For example, he really wanted to learn how to do the monkey bars and he would try and try every time we went to the park and when he finally crossed the whole way that was all he could talk about for weeks.
We had a "practice" swim meet the other day and it was the first time that Josh had ever swam the length of the pool without stopping and he was SO tired. He did this three times. After the 2nd race he was in tears and had a side ache, I tried to comfort him, but at the same time downplay it and got him to race again with the promise of a popsicle when we got home. He came in very last on the breaststroke, but at least he didn't give up.
He seemed fine after it was all over, but he was obviously not enjoying the process. I guess what I am wondering is how much do you push? Should I sign him up for all four races so he doesn't think he "can't" do more? So he knows he can do it? Or do I just sign him up for his 2 favorite strokes and let him work up to doing all the races?
Before you answer - really try to think of what you know of Joshua. If you don't know him, I'd love to hear any experiences you've had as a kid or as a parent in this kind of situation.
Measure 66 & 67 OREGON
15 years ago
5 comments:
All I know of Joshua (since I haven't seen him in a bajillion years) is that he makes my heart melt. He's so tender.
In my completely inexperienced opinion, for this first real meet I would sign him up for his two favorite strokes. Because there's always the risk that if he does all four and hates the entire experience that he won't want to do ANYTHING again. Gauge how he reacts to this first meet and then maybe encourage him to do more the second time around.
Again, I can't even give people advice on how to raise a two-year-old, so take from that whatever you want (or don't want).
For what it's worth (not having any kids of my own) I'd just have him do what he wants to do. I ran in a race when I was younger that I didn't want to run in. I came in dead last and got the "courtesy clap"...the yeah, they finished the race, clap. I hated it.
He may want to do more as he gets stronger.
Swimming is hard, Amy will agree with me on that one. And it was even harder to get up every morning at 5:00 and go jump in a cold pool.
That being said, I agree with what's been said. You don't want to push him too hard and have him hate it for the rest of time.
I think Josh is old enough to have an idea of what he wants. If he wants to do two events, great. Cheer him on and on. But if he doesn't want to do more than one or whatever, that's okay too.
But once he's committed, don't let him stop in the middle. I saw too many teammates that sat on the wall in the middle of a race and wouldn't push themselves to finish...
Zoë is also afraid of trying new things. It took us a while to convince her that she really should and could try riding her bike without training wheels. Three 30-minute sessions was all it took.
However, she has LOVED it since! Our first trip together, she rode a 5-mile round trip. A few days later we went to the Zoo. At first she was scared and didn't want to go, but once she'd accomplished the fete, I played up how awesome she was, etc. etc. Now, it's a "ehh, three miles? no sweat!"
I think you've done GREAT to get Joshua swimming. I agree with what my sisters-in-law have said: let him be able to enjoy what he does, give him the added praise, and let him choose to do more... but don't back down on a minimum! Especially if he does enjoy it to a certain degree.
That's my two-cents worth. :)
I worried needlessly. They were both put into 4 races the first meet and that was not enough for them! :) But thanks for the insights!
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