You can’t please all of the people all of the time, but there are some people you can’t please ANY of the time!!

I coach swimming, and I love my job. Right now I coach a summer league team (short season, only about seven weeks) and I coach for one of the local high schools. I think I am a good coach. I have a lot of experience, I have children of my own and I think the whole mom vibe works well for me, and most of all…I love what I do. I love the water, I love the kids, and I love seeing them excited to learn new things, I love seeing them complete that last lap of a 500 Meter freestyle and the smile of satisfaction that lights up their face.

What I do NOT love is the attitude that some people bring to the (pool) deck. I, and maybe this is naive of me, think that I am hired to do a job, one I take great pride in. Because I am hired to do that job, I would think that the parents trust me to do this job I have been hired for….however, I find out that is not the case EVERY season, and EVERY season I am surprised to find this out! You would think after seven years it would be old hat by now, and nothing would surprise me….but that just isn’t the case. You have the parents of the struggling seven year old…the little boy that is just happy to get across the pool, and mom and dad are wondering why I am not throwing him into every event at the swim meets. You have the parents of the older child, that thinks their child can not do 4 laps in a meet. Nevermind that this child does 50+ laps in practice, in a meet they just can’t do it. And yet, it isn’t nerves, but something else. Well…what is it?! I mean if this child has a physical ailment, I would like to know what it is, so that I don’t overwork them, or if something happens in practice I am prepared for it.

And let’s not forget the “I used to swim, so I know what I am doing” Parent. You used to swim…Great! So, did I, and now I am the one coaching…not you, so please have some faith in me.

I am sure this all sounds naive, that after this many years, and this many seasons, I should be prepared for this, I should expect this. But there is still that little spark inside me that things…this MIGHT be it…this might be the season that ALL the ducks fall into a row…and I kind of figure, when that spark is gone, well, when I lose that spark I think it’s time for me to stop coaching.