Personally, I believe there is a happy median. Obviously, when the child is younger you can get away with bribing them in small prizes. I think that even helps…hey that’s how I got my first cell phone! But, especially as a child gets older and isn’t swimming faster every meet, you have to make sure they are motivated. If they did their best and the time isn’t good, still tell them good job and leave it at that…don’t drill them on why they didn’t swim faster or act like you don’t care. That just leads to the child becoming unmotivated.

Also, be sure you’re there whenever a child wants you to watch them swim…it is important. Even now I’m in college, the past two years my parents have come to my conference meet out in Houston. I love getting to see them, and it helps me to know they are there watching regardless how I do.

So long story short, just be there for you kids and make sure to help them stay motivated and not act as another coach. This is more important if your swimmer is a girl. Why? Because girls are obviously more emotional and since girls tend to peak at a younger age, its already harder for them to stay motivated when they aren’t swimming fast, so the last thing they need is a parent hassling them.