NEGU Swim-a-Thon for Rees Family

Parenting Tips (for Swim Parents): "My Teacher (Coach) is Mean"

Here is a great article I found from Loveandlogic.com.  I feel there are plenty of great tips on how to handle situations that may arise in your swimmers career. 

“MY TEACHER IS MEAN!”

What to do when your child dislikes his or her teacher © 2002 By Dr. Charles Fay

As a parent and an educator, there aren’t too many things more distressing than hearing a child say, “I can’t go to school. My teacher is so mean!”

We don’t want to see our children in pain, especially when it’s caused by someone we need to trust for their emotional and mental well-being on a daily basis.

So, what can you say or do when your child comes home from school and complains about his or her teacher?

The most important thing to remember is the vast majority of teachers are caring, dedicated, and well trained. Each has his or her own style, and kids need to learn how to adapt. Just as kids benefit from teachers who are very warm and patient, they also can learn from some who are more business-like and demanding. Kids can even gain valuable life lessons from a caring teacher who is a bit cranky and cantankerous.

If your child is having trouble adjusting to his or her teacher, here are some easy-to-learn Love and Logic tips to effectively deal with the situation:

Tip 1: Listen and empathize if your child complains about a teacher.

When a child says something like, “My teacher is mean. I hate her,” what he or she needs most is a loving ear, not lectures, threats, or someone to “fix” the problem. Wise parents respond by asking, “You really don’t like her? That must be tough. If any kid is smart enough to find a way to get along with her, it would be you. ” Be sure to let the child know how much you love him or her, and be willing to listen to any concerns.

Tip 2: Resist the urge to talk badly about your child’s teacher or school.

Regardless of how much we might disagree with our child’s teacher or school, it is imperative to send our kids the following message: “Teachers are to be respected and listened to. You may not always agree with what they say or do, but it is NEVER acceptable for you to be disrespectful or disobedient toward them.”
Parents who make the mistake of saying negative comments about teachers in front of their children are setting their kids up for academic failure. When parents encourage children to learn how to positively deal with difficult teachers and stressful situations, their kids learn how to overcome challenges and solve their own problems. In other words, we rob our kids of an important learning opportunity if we allow them to blame teachers for their problems.

Tip 3: Help your child understand that having a tough teacher is a good thing.

Smart parents ask their kids, “Why is it good that you have a tough teacher this year?” When their children shrug their shoulders and answer, “I don’t know,” these parents respond by saying, “You’re going to have a chance to learn you can be successful with even the most difficult people. That’s one of the most useful skills in life!”

Tip 4: Remember: By teaching children to get along with a demanding teacher, we also are teaching them how to succeed with a demanding boss.

Research has shown employees get along with even the most demanding bosses when they:

•       Get to work just a bit early every day

•       Show up with a smile and a positive attitude

•       Listen and follow directions

•       Work a bit harder than expected

•       Get along well with other employees and customers

Kids who learn these skills at home and at school succeed with the most difficult teachers, get better grades, and eventually rise to the top of their chosen occupation.

Tip 5: Get involved only as a last resort.

Wise parents intervene on behalf of their children only when it is clear the teacher is so incompetent or negative that even the best behaved and most responsible student would find it impossible to adapt. Fortunately, these types of educators are rare.

When we follow these tips, we give our kids the gift of knowing they can succeed around all different types of people. Unfortunately, some parents steal this wonderful opportunity by trying to make sure their children’s teachers are “perfect.” Sadly, as adults, many of these children spend their lives being unhappy because other people are “mean”or “unfair.”

Don’t fall into this trap! Use these Love and Logic tips, and give your kids the responsibility and self-confidence they deserve.

Dr. Charles Fay is a nationally known speaker, parent, and school psychologist with the Love and Logic Institute in Golden, Colo. His book, Love and Logic Magic: When Kids Leave You Speechless, provides a host of helpful tips for teaching values, as well as handling other perplexing parenting issues. For more information about Love and Logic parenting and teaching techniques, call 1-800-LUV-LOGIC or visit www.loveandlogic.com.

Jessica Joy Rees...NEVER EVER GIVE UP!

JT, Jessie and Shaya Rees

Jessie Rees is a past swimmer of mine from the Nadadores who has recently been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.  Jessie, at 12 years old, has decided to start radiation/chemo treatment at Children’s Hospital Orange County today, March 21st.  Jessie and her family are facing this news with a courageous and positive attitude, and unbelievably, have decided to spread JOY during this frustrating and difficult time.  Starting in May you can pass joy to people in need in your area through JoyJars(tm).  Jessie and her family will be selling them for $20.00 and giving the money to CHOC and cancer research.  “Like” her facebook page to follow her story and help spread joy.  Her goal is to reach 10,000 fans.  Please visit her site at JessicaJoyRees.com.  

Jessie's motto:  Never Ever Give Up

Jessie was a hard working, super-comitted, loyal and spirited swimmer during her time in my 10 & Under Blue and Gold groups...she continues to demonstrate these character qualities in her current groups.  I have witnessed her grow as a person, accomplish her goals, face her fears (open water practices), and become inspired by the sport of swimming and the coaches and friends who worked with her.  Now, I am inspired by her.  She is helping me grow as a person.  She is pushing me to accomplish my goals.  She is teaching me what true courage is and that I must overcome my fears by facing them head on.  In honor of Jessie and her cause...I will be the best coach I can be.  I will cherish every moment with my family.  I will NEVER EVER GIVE UP!  I encourage all of you who read this to do the same and live your dash.

In With The New!

A new season is beginning!  What are your first steps toward ensuring another successful season with your age group swimmers?  

Sometimes I ask myself the hard question...What did I do wrong last season?  Where were my shortcomings and how can I improve on them this season?  But more often I ask myself another question...What did I do right?  Where were my strengths and what seemed to work?  

After figuring out what went right and wrong, I start to brainstorm and begin to come up with my new season plan.  Thinking about the needs of my new swimmers, I lay out the season starting with the swim meets to create the frame work.  Then from there I can plan out my phases and add in test sets, skill work, video sessions, clinics, yardage, dryland and anything else that fits the needs of the group.  Tip:  You can use iCalendar or Google Calendar to lay out all your seasonal planning ideas.  

It is important to recognize that this season will not go exactly the same as the last and you will likely need to make adjustments early and sometimes often.  This is a NEW group and new swimmers always create new challenges to overcome.   In my experience it is these challenges that give you the tools to overcome many of the obstacles you will face in your coaching career.

No matter what the obstacles are, if you have a passion for teaching the strokes and enriching young children’s lives, you will find a successful season right in front of you.  Just stick to the plan and have fun....Bring on the new!

KEY IDEAS IN AGE GROUP SEASON PLANNING:

1. Determine what your goals are based on the needs of the new swimmers in your group.
2. Set up the framework for the season - swim meets.
3. Plan your phases in 3-8 weeks cycles around the meets your kids will compete in.  Set the season up so that the kids are in peak performance condition at the Championship meets.
4. Add in the missing piece:  Test sets, goal setting, video analysis, psychological skills training, etc...

Upgrade the blog to a website?

I am looking to upgrade my blog into a full blown website. I am stuck and would like some ideas on what COACHES, SWIMMERS and PARENTS would like to see. I am continuing the blog for now, but will change over to the website when I feel it is ready. The website will also have a blog attached to it, so that won’t stop...just change over. I want the general idea to remain the same as my current blog...age group oriented and for coaches, swimmers, and parents.  I would like this to be a place where any individual experiencing age group swimming can come and get ideas and information to help aid in their progress.  ANY IDEAS PEOPLE!