Are you a pressure parent?

Mar 8, 2010

This was taken from the United States Swimming web page:

 Are You a Pressure Parent?
 The following survey has been taken from the Amateur Swimming Association of Great Britain. If you answer yes to one or more of these questions, you may be in danger of pressuring your child. It is important to remember that the parents' role is critical and should be supportive at all times to ensure a positive experience for your child.

  • Is winning more important to you than it is to your child?
  • When your child has a poor swim, is your disappointment, such as through body language or  vocal tones, obvious?
  • Do you feel that you are the one to have to "psyche" your child up before competition?
  • Do you feel that winning is the only way your child can enjoy the sport?
  • Do you conduct "post mortems" immediately after competi­tion or practice?
  • Do you feel that you have to force your child to go to practice?
  • Do you find yourself wanting to interfere with coaching and instructions during practice or competition thinking that you could do better?
  • Do you find yourself disliking your child's opponents?
  • Are your child's goals more important to you than they are to your child?
  • Do you provide material rewards for performance?