Anonymous wrote:OP here- I actually don't really care about #1 or #2, it's more that I hear a lot of complaints about it from other parents- as for #2, my DC finds it creepy when the parent just sits there and watches the whole entire time

as for #3, come on- they exist and you know it. Those parents that think they kid is the sh*t and treat all the other parents like they don't matter even when you're trying to be polite- It's like middle school all over again.

Personally, I think the worst swim parents are the ones who make their kids swim even when the kids says they don't want to. The kids talk, it's not a secret.

Then you win the dumbest post award. You start a thread about the most annoying type of swim team parent, and now nearly all of what you listed as annoying, you say doesn’t annoy you. Oh, and now saying YOU don’t care about parents watching, but you kids find it creepy? Failed attempt at back peddling. What kids even would notice this unless you first say, “isn’t it creepy how Mrs. smith just sits there watching you guys swim?” Or when your kid says Mrs. smith stays during practices, you reply that that is creepy. If it didn’t bother you, you’d see the absurdity of a kid even mentioning this and tell
Your kid it’s completely normal. Oh. And If it didn’t bother YOI, you’d not have posted this post.

What you list above for number 3 isn’t bullying. I think you feel insecure around them and are looking for problems.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- I actually don't really care about #1 or #2, it's more that I hear a lot of complaints about it from other parents- as for #2, my DC finds it creepy when the parent just sits there and watches the whole entire time

as for #3, come on- they exist and you know it. Those parents that think they kid is the sh*t and treat all the other parents like they don't matter even when you're trying to be polite- It's like middle school all over again.

Personally, I think the worst swim parents are the ones who make their kids swim even when the kids says they don't want to. The kids talk, it's not a secret.

Depends on the kid. My kids never “want” to do anything except stay home and play video games.
But I make them go, and when I pick them up they seem to have had a good time.

My kid will complain about practice because he moved up to a harder group. He also volunteers to go to extra practices on a weekly basis. So, your kid might hear my kid complain about not wanting to be at practice...yet the same kid is electing to go to additional practices and will say 3-4 times a week he's so glad he practices as much as he does.

Complaining about practice is one thing - saying you hate to swim and don't want to do it is another. My kids hear this from their friends. And some will throw their parents under the bus - my mom and dad make me do this, I don't want to do it. These kids won't swim meets and half ass it in the lane. They are easy to spot.

We stopped all swim meets. Its not safe to have that many kids and adults unmasked and all those willing are generally in person school and no other precautions and it puts families being cautious at risk. There are lots of reasons why kids aren't doing meets.

Bless your heart for how hard you try to inject this into every thread, even when it is a compete non sequitur.

Anonymous wrote:OP here- I actually don't really care about #1 or #2, it's more that I hear a lot of complaints about it from other parents- as for #2, my DC finds it creepy when the parent just sits there and watches the whole entire time

as for #3, come on- they exist and you know it. Those parents that think they kid is the sh*t and treat all the other parents like they don't matter even when you're trying to be polite- It's like middle school all over again.

Personally, I think the worst swim parents are the ones who make their kids swim even when the kids says they don't want to. The kids talk, it's not a secret.

You sound like the worst swim parent. Our kids liked us there. It was also a safety issue when they were little. Plus, it was too far to drive back and forth.

People like you are exhausting and your behavior is the middle school behavior.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- I actually don't really care about #1 or #2, it's more that I hear a lot of complaints about it from other parents- as for #2, my DC finds it creepy when the parent just sits there and watches the whole entire time

as for #3, come on- they exist and you know it. Those parents that think they kid is the sh*t and treat all the other parents like they don't matter even when you're trying to be polite- It's like middle school all over again.

Personally, I think the worst swim parents are the ones who make their kids swim even when the kids says they don't want to. The kids talk, it's not a secret.

Depends on the kid. My kids never “want” to do anything except stay home and play video games.
But I make them go, and when I pick them up they seem to have had a good time.

My kid will complain about practice because he moved up to a harder group. He also volunteers to go to extra practices on a weekly basis. So, your kid might hear my kid complain about not wanting to be at practice...yet the same kid is electing to go to additional practices and will say 3-4 times a week he's so glad he practices as much as he does.

Complaining about practice is one thing - saying you hate to swim and don't want to do it is another. My kids hear this from their friends. And some will throw their parents under the bus - my mom and dad make me do this, I don't want to do it. These kids won't swim meets and half ass it in the lane. They are easy to spot.

We stopped all swim meets. Its not safe to have that many kids and adults unmasked and all those willing are generally in person school and no other precautions and it puts families being cautious at risk. There are lots of reasons why kids aren't doing meets.

Anonymous wrote:1) the parent who signs up to time for every single session and every meet, keeping other parents from getting to time and watch their own kids

2) the parent who says “it’s too far to drive home” and stays and watches their kid swim the entire two hour practice

3) the parent of the fastest kid on the team who bullies the other parents and thinks the coach is only there for their child

4) the parent who does all of the above

5) the parent not mentioned in this list for some other crazy sport parent behavior (enlighten us!)



To the other awesome parents there to cheer on their kids and support them, soldier on and act like mature adults, a toast to you!

I think you are the worst parent who is a a gossip not only in real life but here.

1. Nothing wrong with watching the practices especially with little ones/safety. The locker rooms and other areas are not supervised.
2. If you don't live 5 minutes away and live 30-40 minutes away, it doesn't make sense to leave for a hour or two practice. By the time you get home you have to turn around, especially in traffic. We wouldn't even make it back in time after just walking in the house.
3. yes, that's always an issue. I suspect it is you.
4. You mean bullies like you
5) The unmentioned crazy sport parent - YOU!

Anonymous wrote:The prize goes to this poster. My sincere appreciation goes to the parents who time so that the rest of us don’t have to.

Anonymous wrote:1) the parent who signs up to time for every single session and every meet, keeping other parents from getting to time and watch their own kids

2) the parent who says “it’s too far to drive home” and stays and watches their kid swim the entire two hour practice

3) the parent of the fastest kid on the team who bullies the other parents and thinks the coach is only there for their child

4) the parent who does all of the above

5) the parent not mentioned in this list for some other crazy sport parent behavior (enlighten us!)



To the other awesome parents there to cheer on their kids and support them, soldier on and act like mature adults, a toast to you!

Prize for what? This parent is complaining largely about nonissues (1 and 2) ..and failed to provide any specifics about bullying (though later tried to completely change what 3 was - which didn't include bullying). That means that 4 didn't apply if 1-3 don't.

Are you sock puppeting?

The prize goes to this poster. My sincere appreciation goes to the parents who time so that the rest of us don’t have to.

Anonymous wrote:1) the parent who signs up to time for every single session and every meet, keeping other parents from getting to time and watch their own kids

2) the parent who says “it’s too far to drive home” and stays and watches their kid swim the entire two hour practice

3) the parent of the fastest kid on the team who bullies the other parents and thinks the coach is only there for their child

4) the parent who does all of the above

5) the parent not mentioned in this list for some other crazy sport parent behavior (enlighten us!)



To the other awesome parents there to cheer on their kids and support them, soldier on and act like mature adults, a toast to you!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would be happy if they keep the no spectator rule in club swim. DH and I were regular volunteers in the before times, and went way over the required hours because so many parents just wouldn’t sign up since they could watch from the stands anyway. I would be thrilled to “let” other parents hog the volunteer spots now that they’re a hot ticket. Also willing to chip in for better streaming setups.

The no spectator policy also allows me to avoid my least favorite swim parent, the one who screams in your ear from 6 inches away when his/her kid is swimming.

I agree- The no spectator policy is the best! You can avoid the drama and watch from home

+100.

+1000.

When I clicked on this topic, I thought that OP was going to give an example about a parent yelling at their swimmer, or at the coach.

Pre-COVID, when I was working as a timer at my son's swim meet, a timer (mom) next to me criticized her son as he got out of the pool after his race. (She happened to be timing her son, as he was in her lane for that race.) She looked at his time on her stop watch and said sternly "you can do better." He seemed OK with it. I was kind of floored by that because I never felt like I should be criticizing my son.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would be happy if they keep the no spectator rule in club swim. DH and I were regular volunteers in the before times, and went way over the required hours because so many parents just wouldn’t sign up since they could watch from the stands anyway. I would be thrilled to “let” other parents hog the volunteer spots now that they’re a hot ticket. Also willing to chip in for better streaming setups.

The no spectator policy also allows me to avoid my least favorite swim parent, the one who screams in your ear from 6 inches away when his/her kid is swimming.

I agree- The no spectator policy is the best! You can avoid the drama and watch from home

+100.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You really want to time that badly? I was happy to sit and read my book.

Timers were rare before Covid. Now, everyone wants to time.

I think part of the reason most clubs have kept the no spectators rule is because it has made getting volunteers so much easier.

I am a part of leadership and it has helped with meets tremendously. People want to time and become officials. Parents at meet were an obstacle. As the cameras getting better there is less reason to have a parent that is not going to be working it.

+1. As a long-time swim parents, I absolutely love watching my DD swim via live stream!! No more sitting in the cramped bleachers! I can see the meet much better now, and there is more seating for the swimmers themselves.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- I actually don't really care about #1 or #2, it's more that I hear a lot of complaints about it from other parents- as for #2, my DC finds it creepy when the parent just sits there and watches the whole entire time

as for #3, come on- they exist and you know it. Those parents that think they kid is the sh*t and treat all the other parents like they don't matter even when you're trying to be polite- It's like middle school all over again.

Personally, I think the worst swim parents are the ones who make their kids swim even when the kids says they don't want to. The kids talk, it's not a secret.

Depends on the kid. My kids never “want” to do anything except stay home and play video games.
But I make them go, and when I pick them up they seem to have had a good time.

My kid will complain about practice because he moved up to a harder group. He also volunteers to go to extra practices on a weekly basis. So, your kid might hear my kid complain about not wanting to be at practice...yet the same kid is electing to go to additional practices and will say 3-4 times a week he's so glad he practices as much as he does.

Complaining about practice is one thing - saying you hate to swim and don't want to do it is another. My kids hear this from their friends. And some will throw their parents under the bus - my mom and dad make me do this, I don't want to do it. These kids won't swim meets and half ass it in the lane. They are easy to spot.

Most of these parents think or talk themselves into believing that their kid really wants to swim. To think otherwise would make them bad parents. We have a friend who loves to tell us how much her kid loves it and how competitive the kid is, etc. This same kid goofs off in the lane, just likes to chat, and when swimming meets is just going across the lane. They like the friends, but they are not competitive. And that is okay too. Swim should be fun. But damn if that parent is not pushing their kid hard to compete and embarrassed by their kid not racing.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- I actually don't really care about #1 or #2, it's more that I hear a lot of complaints about it from other parents- as for #2, my DC finds it creepy when the parent just sits there and watches the whole entire time

as for #3, come on- they exist and you know it. Those parents that think they kid is the sh*t and treat all the other parents like they don't matter even when you're trying to be polite- It's like middle school all over again.

Personally, I think the worst swim parents are the ones who make their kids swim even when the kids says they don't want to. The kids talk, it's not a secret.

Depends on the kid. My kids never “want” to do anything except stay home and play video games.
But I make them go, and when I pick them up they seem to have had a good time.

My kid will complain about practice because he moved up to a harder group. He also volunteers to go to extra practices on a weekly basis. So, your kid might hear my kid complain about not wanting to be at practice...yet the same kid is electing to go to additional practices and will say 3-4 times a week he's so glad he practices as much as he does.

Complaining about practice is one thing - saying you hate to swim and don't want to do it is another. My kids hear this from their friends. And some will throw their parents under the bus - my mom and dad make me do this, I don't want to do it. These kids won't swim meets and half ass it in the lane. They are easy to spot.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here- I actually don't really care about #1 or #2, it's more that I hear a lot of complaints about it from other parents- as for #2, my DC finds it creepy when the parent just sits there and watches the whole entire time

as for #3, come on- they exist and you know it. Those parents that think they kid is the sh*t and treat all the other parents like they don't matter even when you're trying to be polite- It's like middle school all over again.

Personally, I think the worst swim parents are the ones who make their kids swim even when the kids says they don't want to. The kids talk, it's not a secret.

Depends on the kid. My kids never “want” to do anything except stay home and play video games.
But I make them go, and when I pick them up they seem to have had a good time.

My kid will complain about practice because he moved up to a harder group. He also volunteers to go to extra practices on a weekly basis. So, your kid might hear my kid complain about not wanting to be at practice...yet the same kid is electing to go to additional practices and will say 3-4 times a week he's so glad he practices as much as he does.

Anonymous wrote:Is it really on the table that PVS might not allow spectators back?

I think that there has been talk. I know summer leagues pushed it too for no real reason that too many parents will sit on their butts rather than volunteer or be bothered.

Forcing parents to volunteer is not a bad thing. Shifts go fast now when before they languished.