How to get used to 4:30 am swim … for parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The carpool could actually be making it harder. If you were up early every day you will adjust better than if you only have to get up early a few times a week

I sort of feel the carpool is making it harder. I would rather have a consistent morning routine everyday.

Thanks for the advice.

For the other parent … my other kid is 7, she has adhd. By being very religious with her sleep schedule, her mood has improved tremendously. I get back home after morning practice around 6:30 am. I then get ready to go to work and my son goes to school. My hubs takes care of our daughter in the mornings and I can hang out with her after i get home from work a little after 4.

Morning swim has freed up afternoon time, which I spend it with my daughter now while son studies or does homework. It has been really good for us.

[Anonymous]

Your younger child should not have to wake up earlier just because older child is on an absurd schedule. That’s a quick ticket to “my parents never considered my needs abs everything revolved around older sib” therapy.

[Anonymous]

You will never get used to it and it’s not worth it. This was my schedule in HS and college swimming and I would never let my kids do it. Never.

[Anonymous]

Pretty much going to be a no from me. I deal with jet lag while traveling but not sacrificing my happiness and my life to a kid sport. My main issue is that I can’t go to sleep earlier. That’s some cold water at 4:30 too.

Can a 14 year old bike there?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The carpool could actually be making it harder. If you were up early every day you will adjust better than if you only have to get up early a few times a week

I sort of feel the carpool is making it harder. I would rather have a consistent morning routine everyday.

Thanks for the advice.

For the other parent … my other kid is 7, she has adhd. By being very religious with her sleep schedule, her mood has improved tremendously. I get back home after morning practice around 6:30 am. I then get ready to go to work and my son goes to school. My hubs takes care of our daughter in the mornings and I can hang out with her after i get home from work a little after 4.

Morning swim has freed up afternoon time, which I spend it with my daughter now while son studies or does homework. It has been really good for us.

NP - I’m confused. It’s been really good for you (which I believe, from what you said), but still an issue? How long have you had this change in schedule?

Having an early schedule daily or at least weekdays will make the adjustment easier, though if you’re not a morning person, it will never truly feel natural. I say this as a die-hard morning person, who for years woke anywhere from 3:45am to 5am for rowing - if I tried to become a night owl, it would be horrific.

8pm bedtime for a 7 year old, especially one with ADHD, sounds great, actually, so ignore the naysayers on that front. Can you work out during your older kid’s morning practices? Or do something else productive?

[Anonymous]

What people aren't realizing, is that once a swimmer moves to AM, they are there pretty much forever. The 7 year old won't be 7 forever. Swim will rule your life and sleep schedule.

And yes, carpool sucks because you have to get up even earlier on the days you would drive, and if your kid is sick or just can't go, you'll still have to drive the other kids.

My kids do AM swim in HS and it SUCKS SO BAD. I HATE IT. IT IS BAD FOR SLEEP IN HIGH SCHOOL

[Anonymous]

Wow, these are very negative responses! I’m shocked given the number of teams in this area with full morning groups. Yeah, it sucks. But you get used to it if your swimmer wants and is able to do it. I was exhausted for the first few months but I’ve adjusted 9 months into our first year of it. Those 90 minutes are also my most productive work hours of my day at this point. And again, it did take a long time to adjust, but I no longer feel tired on the days I get up super early.

[Anonymous]

I could never adjust to that. Good luck, though.

[Anonymous]

Assuming you’re all rich families why not just pool together money and hire a driver?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Assuming you’re all rich families why not just pool together money and hire a driver?

And/Or hire said driver to carry the kids to a club with reasonable start times and allow them yo get max sleep? 😉

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ridiculous.

+1. We told our kids from the time they were little- no sports involving water, liquid or frozen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. So is 14 and extremely motivated. Younger kid actually benefits from going to bed at 8, so don’t judge families you don’t know.

I think we will try to find a third family carpool with.

I never thought I would have this issue, but DS gets straight As and is great at his sport. Who are we to stop him?

… let me go take a nap now 😂

You are his parents, that’s who you are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

We as a family are all going to bed early (with some push back from the younger kid), so we got that down.

I am confused as to why this is affecting your younger child. I understand that your husband has a health condition, but isn't he in the house asleep? What time does your younger child's school start that you couldn't circle back to get them up and drop them off? The earliest school starts where we are is 8.

I thought they just meant that the youngest child has to go to bed early because the rest of the family does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Assuming you’re all rich families why not just pool together money and hire a driver?

Why are you assuming this? Yes, club sports are expensive but that’s independent of the time of day. Unfortunately, due to high demand for lane space, swimmers have to be willing to practice at the time their group holds practices. The time of day those are held doesn’t correlate to SES.

[Anonymous]

You and your swimmer will get used to it. You will be very tired at first. Be sure to eat healthy, drink lots of water, and don’t over caffeinate. You will need to go to bed earlier, and your body should lead you to that earlier bedtime naturally. You will be less busy in the evenings because there won’t be evening practice for the swimmer! You and your swimmer may actually really love the new routine. It can be very energizing to exercise first thing. You can also be very productive in the early morning as an adult.