Dive in and Take Another Chance: 5 Lessons Learned From Summer Swim Team

Last year my oldest son cried when he did not make the summer swim team. So this past May when he wanted to try out again I cringed. I even suggested he not take the chance. Mom of the Year told him not to—better than fail, I thought to myself. The cold and rainy tryout day? I secretly was happy that maybe I could convince him to stay home. For a kid who did not swim the entire school year I thought he was crazy to attempt once more. And be disappointed. As we waited in line for his turn he turned to me and said, “Maybe I should have taken some lessons.” And then what shocked me? He jumped in the pool and completed four lengths of what looked like freestyle, backstroke, and creative interpretations of breaststroke and butterfly. When the coaches told Jack that he made the team he looked at me with the same blue eyes as the year before, but this time I saw pure excitement. And my heart soared. What if we had stayed home and played the Wii that afternoon?

No, this is not a bragging piece about my kid’s summertime swimming sojourn. Instead, over the last few months I noodled over the notions about what we can learn from youth. Proudly I saw a lot of growth in an 8 year-old. Why not internalize some lessons as I watched him this summer? Who’s to say we shouldn’t look at our kids—nieces, nephews, students, neighbors--and inject some of their youthful zeitgeist? We’re still young-at-heart, right?

Top Lessons this 40 Year-Old Learned from My Son this Summer:

1.       The Stakes Aren’t as High as Adults Think: Kids don’t overanalyze every possible outcome, what people will think, and how decisions could affect their life ever after. They live much more in the present.

2.      Sheer Focus Leads to Success: My son wouldn’t put his feet down at that swimming tryout—the same applies to our lives. Don’t give up easily—keep paddling even if you’re tired. Remember your goals.

3.      Practice Does Perfect: While an Olympic tryout isn’t in my son’s near future, after two months he can swim all four strokes. When you want to improve in life, you need to dedicate the time to improve. You undoubtedly will.

4.      Cheer Loudly for Your Teammates: Aren’t we all in this together? Celebrate the successes of your friends and peers—it feels good; it is pure fun. And your friends appreciate the thoughtfulness.

5.      Have Faith in Yourself: Even if no one else believes in you, (even your mother), go for it. Be brave. You are the master of your own destiny. That experience is powerful—and will stay with you for the rest of your life.

When you need a boost of confidence or are afraid to be humbled—remember, our children face those moving moments each and every day. And they survive. Even thrive sometimes. Dive right in yourself. And be mindful of that kid kicking inside you—and if you need to, collect some mental ribbons of your successes. Just trying your best can be good enough. I think about that May day and if Jack didn’t try--not only would he have not learned to love a new sport, but I, too, would have missed out on learning some important life lessons.

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences.” 

-- Eleanor Roosevelt

 

Are we just trying to raise “super people” who are afraid to fail? Read this article for more insight.  http://www.newrepublic.com/article/118747/ivy-league-schools-are-overrated-send-your-kids-elsewhere