Happy New Year from the Swim Mama!

This time of year is one in which we are both winding down from the holidays and now gearing up for the spring championship meets.  We recently hosted our biggest home meet at the end of the year, with well over 500 swimmers in attendance and one thing I left the meet feeling so ever thankful for, was the incredible amount of good sportsmanship I saw from our team.

Recently, for the first time in many years, there is a new team in town, and that team has been attracting many of our swim families.  Some families just want to try something new and others feel a stronger connection to the coaches on that team, and all of that is normal and acceptable.  In fact, as a competitive team, we understand competition is crucial to improving and advancing swimmers to the next level.  And I must admit, that it has also done the same for our own team as a whole.  I’d be remiss in my duties if I didn’t also mention that it has come with tension and confusion for all involved, but one we are certainly working on in a very outward and open manner.  It has been a great opportunity for dialogue and reflection for the parents and coaches.  One of the challenges has been the transition of kids going from one team to another and the hurt and confused feelings that go with it.  We have been the “only team in town” for many years, so where other cities are much larger and have many options; this is a first for us.

Now that the initial “shock and awe” has passed, not to mention a few months, what I’m seeing now is that these kids and parents have become accepting and at ease with the new dynamics of our team as well as this other new team.  Kids are back to being friends, parents are talking again and while there is still that hint of “our team is better than your team,” life as we know it seems be back to normal.  Kids are high fiving after their races with swimmers from the opposing team and I can’t tell you how heart-warming that is to see.  There is a place for competition and even strong competitiveness, and that is in the pool.  These kids are still young and friendships outside the pool are key to enjoying the whole swimming experience, and after all, shouldn’t swimming be fun?

Here’s wishing you a very Happy New Year!

Swim on!

SwimMama
Ruthie Palmatier
ruthie@swimmama.com

Creating a Safety Plan for the New Year

By Kim Estes

A new year approaches. It is historically a time of organizing and planning ahead.  It is also a perfect time for putting into action (or reviewing), a simple safety plan for your family.  It is easier than you think!

What’s important
Create a list of the important concerns you have for your family. Consider both current concerns (My child is not good about checking in with a safe grown up) and also future concerns (my child will be taking the school bus in the fall).  Begin addressing the current concerns and start a plan of action for future concerns. Start planning and practicing how you want to approach them with your child.  Our motto is “Be prepared, not scared” and never use scare tactics when talking about safety with your child.

New habits
If you have not started talking to your child about safety on a regular basis, now is the time to start. Make reminders on your calendar if you need to. Help get yourself into a new habit of safety. Take time to “de-brief” with your family. Share the “favorite part / least favorite part” of your day. You can do this at dinner time, bed time or in the car. Just find a few minutes each day.  This will help to create a place for your child to be able to comfortably talk to you about what is happening in their day (and sharing your day too)!  Kids don’t necessarily bring their problems to you in a nice tidy package. It can take months or weeks to divulge little bits and pieces to you, especially if something is bothering them. Often testing to see how you will react. So don’t freak out if they say something that catches you off guard.

Who’s Who?
Review the safety rules your family already has in place. If you have school age children, talk to them about who the “approved” grown ups are to pick them up from school. For younger kids, practice cell phone numbers and who they can turn to if they need help (safe mom -or dad) with kids.

Make safety a part of your new year and remember to make it fun too. Books are a great way to talk about safety with your child. We have great age appropriate book recommendations on safety. Just go to our website to find out more about our great books, tips and conversation starters to get you on your way to creating a safety plan in the new year!

About the Author:  Kim Estes is the co-founder of the non-profit organization: Parent Education And Child Empowerment (P.E.A.C.E of Mind) www.pomwa.org . Kim has worked with parents for over 12 years, educating them on various parenting topics.  Kim and her cohort in crime prevention, Sabrina, help liberate parents from fearful parenting! Through non fearful techniques and easy to apply parenting strategies they help empower families to be safe. Follow us on Twitter for quick safety tweets!