Kid has announced she wants to be an Olympic swimmer. How to respond?

[Anonymous]

Kid is 8. Loooooves swimming and is good at it, but I mean... the Olympics. I want to be encouraging because I think it's great she is thinking about this and dreaming big (also we've never mentioned this to her and she doesn't even remember watching any Olympics the last time it was on, so this is coming from swim teammates/coaches). She has a very competitive personality and loves to work hard and I think it would be cool for her to see how far she could take something she's really passionate about. I definitely think she could be a very good swimmer in HS and maybe even college if she keeps it up. But there are factors involved that are beyond her control (how her body matures, the luck of timing, etc.). Seems ridiculous to introduce a 8 yr old to those though. I know I'm overthinking this, it just took me by surprise.

How would you respond to this?

[Anonymous]

"Great! What's your plan?"
And then think about what it would take to get her there. Because you can try for a while.

(hint - money)

[Anonymous]

“That’s nice, dear. Please pass the syrup.”

[Anonymous]

Lol, OP. She’s 8 and you’re already thinking of high school and college and beyond.

The poor kid.

[Anonymous]

That's great, Larla; we'll have to find a pool so that you can continue to practice in the winter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lol, OP. She’s 8 and you’re already thinking of high school and college and beyond.

The poor kid.

So you never think about your children's future beyond tomorrow, even then they try to talk to you about it? That's weird. There's a difference between talk and pressure. I don't care if my kid never swims again. I thought she'd quit by now, to be honest, but she is obsessed with it and it's all she ever wants to do. She brought it up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"Great! What's your plan?"
And then think about what it would take to get her there. Because you can try for a while.

(hint - money)

I do like this one though you don't think it's too much pressure on an 8 year old? I don't think she has ANY clue. And lol to the money, I know!

[Anonymous]

She can continue to work hard to be a good swimmer

[Anonymous]

If she enjoys it and you can afford it, let her do year round swim.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's great, Larla; we'll have to find a pool so that you can continue to practice in the winter.

This, exactly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Lol, OP. She’s 8 and you’re already thinking of high school and college and beyond.

The poor kid.

So you never think about your children's future beyond tomorrow, even then they try to talk to you about it? That's weird. There's a difference between talk and pressure. I don't care if my kid never swims again. I thought she'd quit by now, to be honest, but she is obsessed with it and it's all she ever wants to do. She brought it up.

When my kid played pee wee football in the spring, same age as your kid, and was pretty good, no, I didn’t think about him playing in high school or college or the NFL. I just thought “how cute” and got a kick out of the coach’s patience and enthusiasm.

[Anonymous]

Kids talk this way. My relative wanted to go to the Olympics for gymnastics. She talked about it until high school. Then her body grew very long and movements were modified. Then she had a knee surgery. Talk of Olympics ceased.

[Anonymous]

I always wanted to be Miss America.

[Anonymous]

She's too young for this criticism ... but later, no one should get accolades for what they want to do. They get congratulations and accolades when they do it. Or for the hard work they actually do, in hopes of achieving their big goal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"Great! What's your plan?"
And then think about what it would take to get her there. Because you can try for a while.

(hint - money)

I do like this one though you don't think it's too much pressure on an 8 year old? I don't think she has ANY clue. And lol to the money, I know!

PP you replied to. The kids don't think of it as pressure at the beginning. If they pursue that path, then the pressure will come soon enough. But there's no harm in talking to people and expressing interest in finding the best coaching and private practice. I am not a swimmer (found your thread in Recent Topics), but I would imagine that like with any activity, perfecting technique will radically increase progress. So why not work with the best coach one-on-one to get her to use her body more efficiently? She doesn't need to swim a ton of hours too soon if she has a better understanding of technique. You can continue as long as she likes it and funds allow. Money is the name of the game to excel in most children's activities, sport and non-sport. Talent is not sufficient.