We’re a swim family.
It took us a long time to get here, though.
The truth is, I never thought we would be a swim family. But when my boys were in early elementary school, they wanted to try out our neighborhood summer league.
One day, when I was thinking of signing them up, I ran into another neighborhood mom at the pool who was an experienced swim mom. I remember our conversation that day. She said, “It’s one sport where you have kids of all ages from ages 4-18!” She answered all my questions and, most importantly, cheered my kids on.
She said it would be fun. As it turns out, she was right. My kids won a rainbow of ribbons, received end-of-year awards, and made friends. They have come back every year since.
And there’s something special about swim kids. Your kids will learn more than just how to master each stroke. They will learn about friendship, sportsmanship, endurance, and how to spend an evening unplugged.
Swim kids will toss the football on the pool deck in between heats. They’ll share giggles, laughs, and tell stories. The younger siblings will play with friends, hang on their parents, and stay up way past their bedtime. The sound of their little feet slapping on the pavement is reminiscent of magical moments of preschool land. I used to be there once.
I love watching the little kiddos look up to the big kids. My boys used to be the little ones. Now they are the big kids who disappear on the pool deck to hang with their friends.
Favorite summer songs will play in your head all year long from the muffled loudspeaker during the transition of events. My favorite song is Good Time by Niko Moon, and it always reminds me of a fun summer swim season.
You might see kids sparring with ice chips, swimmers snacking on watermelon, salads, oranges, pizza, cotton candy, and Kona’s overpriced flavored syrupy ice. The cash will buy you a treat to seal the deal at the snack bar. Gone are the days of $1 ice cream sandwiches from the snack bar. The joy of a Dum-Dums lollipop is like no other.
Parents will wipe the sweat from their brows at the sun beads on their foreheads. They click the timer when the buzzer goes off and study the swim lane carefully as the swimmer glides from one side to the other.
The kids love the relay events. Little voices will roar through what seems like the whole neighborhood with team spirit and cheers.
My favorite thing is watching parents cheer from the pool deck for their kids. My heart melts when I hear other moms cheer for my kids. I do my best to cheer for theirs too, and also the swimmers in the middle, and the swimmers who come in last.
You don’t have to be first to make me proud. I’m proud of them all.
The announcer says, “Swimmers, take your mark.”
I say, “I hope you make your mark with friends and make lots of memories as we have over the last eight years.”
Your swim kids will not go to bed early on meet nights, but they will fall fast asleep.
Because they will be exhausted
And so will you.
Keep calm, and keep your goggles on.
I’m here for it all.
Cheering for my kid and yours while witnessing my favorite parts of their childhood during the dog days of summer—I hope you love the swim life too.
In case you’re wondering what to expect at a swim meet or want to reminisce about your own experience, here are some of my best tips. I have also included some golden nuggets for survival on the pool deck.
- Find shade and bring a hat.
- Pack snacks and cash for the snack bar.
- Bring extra water and electrolyte drinks with a cooler.
- Pack bug spray. Those flies can be nasty. The only flies we want around are the swimmers who swim the butterfly.
- Plan to take two hours of PTO from work because you need half your afternoon to get there on time. For reals.
- Be open to volunteering. It’s the only way to make the season work.
- Bring Uno or other playing cards. It’s an all-evening affair. You might need it or maybe not. Cards are fun to have on hand in case there is a lightning or thunder delay, in which case, there will be lots of waiting in the car.
- Pack sunscreen to fight the blazing late afternoon sun and a sweatshirt for your swimmer in case of a breeze in the evening.
- Plan to make it a late night. Assume the kids will go to bed past their bedtime.
- Bring chairs and sit with friends. You’ll learn to snag a seat in the shade and away from the trash, where you might find the flies. Bonus tip: don’t let the kids sit in your chair, otherwise your pretty behind will be pretty soaked.
by Tammy Fordham 
by Natalie Livingston 
