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

[Anonymous]

You never get used to it. It’s hard on the kid and hard on the parents.

It just sucks and not really work it. We did it for 4 months and tried to justify it but can’t. My kid will never be an Olympian or even a D1 swimmer. They love it but not that much.

It not really worth it. Very few scholarships for swimming. Do it for the funsies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My cousin went to Yale on a diving scholarship. 5am deck time all through high school.

No he didn’t- Ivy leagues don’t have sports scholarships.

I knew someone who went to Yale for swimming. She had a “merit” scholarship, but it was clearly because she was an athlete. She had been recruited by the swim coach.

As others said: ivy leagues offer no funds other than need based. Nothing reduced for any athletes or for merit…just based on true, provable financial need.

[Anonymous]

If your child is truly motivated, do it. You can’t make a kid wake up at 4 am, it’s truly a kid motivated sport.

Just keep a consistent schedule. The first month is rough, but you will get used to it.

[Anonymous]

Just know that the majority kids after doing all this for years end up quitting and never swimming in college. Chose accordingly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Hi all. Looking for advice from seasoned parents. My kid just started swimming mornings. We carpool with a fellow parent. That being said, I work full time and have a younger child.

Do you eventually get used to the routine? 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 also eating much much better and hydrating. Also sleeping in on weekends. My husband cannot help as he has a chronic medical condition.

What are your suggestions?

I discouraged the swim team..lol

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just know that the majority kids after doing all this for years end up quitting and never swimming in college. Chose accordingly.

The majority of kids in any sport don't play in college, but at least they can gain a usable skill from swimming. There isn't much opportunity for recreational fencing or lacrosse as adults.

[Anonymous]

As a HS swimmer, I went to bed at 8-8:30pm until I left for college! As an adult I am still a morning person. Older kids always drove me to practice and then when I was 17, I drove younger swimmers.

My neighbor has a HS age swimmer and her carpool rotates by week so that each family gets up early all week and then has 2-3 weeks “off”. Kids are responsible for getting themselves up and out the door.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a HS swimmer, I went to bed at 8-8:30pm until I left for college! As an adult I am still a morning person. Older kids always drove me to practice and then when I was 17, I drove younger swimmers.

My neighbor has a HS age swimmer and her carpool rotates by week so that each family gets up early all week and then has 2-3 weeks “off”. Kids are responsible for getting themselves up and out the door.

In general, I’ve found that swim has enabled my kids to be morning people even through the teen years. And it gave them a good tolerance for early mornings for non-swim things. 6 am flights were not a big deal. And 8 am soccer games are not considered early to swimmers. I have a rower and it’s the same thing. I would imagine ice hockey players and figure skaters experience the same.

[Anonymous]

We have all become organized, morning people. We used to be a disorganized mess 😂 so swimming has really helped our family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just know that the majority kids after doing all this for years end up quitting and never swimming in college. Chose accordingly.

+1. My DC’s friend swam through HS. Early mornings etc. Ended up hating swimming eventually. It doesn’t seem worth it.

[Anonymous]

I would consider it terrible and abusive parenting if any of the parent's motivation was the hope of a college scholarship.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would consider it terrible and abusive parenting if any of the parent's motivation was the hope of a college scholarship.

Sad thing is most kids will not get a scholarship. So, it is kinda abusive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Just know that the majority kids after doing all this for years end up quitting and never swimming in college. Chose accordingly.

The majority of kids in any sport don't play in college, but at least they can gain a usable skill from swimming. There isn't much opportunity for recreational fencing or lacrosse as adults.

Yeah but once you learn how to swim and can do laps what is the point of competitive swimming if its just about learning the skill ?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would consider it terrible and abusive parenting if any of the parent's motivation was the hope of a college scholarship.

Yup, so different than all those parents outing all three money and time into academic tutors and text prep!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have all become organized, morning people. We used to be a disorganized mess 😂 so swimming has really helped our family.

This. We had a child on an early morning team schedule. Kid continued sport in college and carried the morning person/early to bed organized skills to school.