Sunday, September 10, 2006
Stressed Out Swimmer
Dear Guidance Guy,
I'm on the Swim Team. It is hard and fun. I also have chores and school. It's the third week of school and my grades are slipping. I can't tell my mom and dad because they'll make me quit the team. I don't have time to do my chores either. I swim for three and a half hours, so I am tired the next day. My friends are mad at me because of some rumor. My mom is mad at me because of my chores not getting done. What do I do?
Stressed Out!
*** *** ***
Dear Stressed,
Looks like you will need to do a better job of organizing the time you have. No doubt there are some kids on the swim team who swim just as much as you do but keep good grades and get chores done. Have you talked to them and asked how they handle things? That might be a good start. You can also talk with your coach and see if you can get some ideas.
Negotiating with your mother about chores may also be a possibility. If there are extra chores you can do on the weekend instead of those you're supposed to be doing now, you can talk with her about substituting those. See if she's willing to get creative with you.
If necessary, you may have to cut back on the number of hours you swim. If you're tired everyday, it won't be long before you burn out. Many high school athletes go through this. As strong as you are, your body is still growing and changing. It needs rest, good food (not french fries) and exercise - but not too much of any one of those. Hopefully your coach understands this and isn't letting you overdo it. If you're exhausted, take it easy!
Most schools have a failure policy that will kick you off the team if you fail courses for a marking period. So if you don't get your grades back on track, the decision to quit the team may be made for you. And you won't be able to hide bad grades from your parents for very long. Teachers will start calling home.
Finally, if your friends know about some rumor, take it like you would a swimming pool - attack it! If it isn't true, let them know. And if it is, tell them that too. Then drop it altogether. Or you can ignore it and eventually it will go away. Either way, give the rumor as little attention as possible.
You are under a lot of pressure, which must be taking the fun out of swimming. You can find a balance so there is time (and energy) to do everything you want. Just be willing to do things a little differently and ask for help when you need it.
All The Best,
The Guidance Guy
I'm on the Swim Team. It is hard and fun. I also have chores and school. It's the third week of school and my grades are slipping. I can't tell my mom and dad because they'll make me quit the team. I don't have time to do my chores either. I swim for three and a half hours, so I am tired the next day. My friends are mad at me because of some rumor. My mom is mad at me because of my chores not getting done. What do I do?
Stressed Out!
*** *** ***
Dear Stressed,
Looks like you will need to do a better job of organizing the time you have. No doubt there are some kids on the swim team who swim just as much as you do but keep good grades and get chores done. Have you talked to them and asked how they handle things? That might be a good start. You can also talk with your coach and see if you can get some ideas.
Negotiating with your mother about chores may also be a possibility. If there are extra chores you can do on the weekend instead of those you're supposed to be doing now, you can talk with her about substituting those. See if she's willing to get creative with you.
If necessary, you may have to cut back on the number of hours you swim. If you're tired everyday, it won't be long before you burn out. Many high school athletes go through this. As strong as you are, your body is still growing and changing. It needs rest, good food (not french fries) and exercise - but not too much of any one of those. Hopefully your coach understands this and isn't letting you overdo it. If you're exhausted, take it easy!
Most schools have a failure policy that will kick you off the team if you fail courses for a marking period. So if you don't get your grades back on track, the decision to quit the team may be made for you. And you won't be able to hide bad grades from your parents for very long. Teachers will start calling home.
Finally, if your friends know about some rumor, take it like you would a swimming pool - attack it! If it isn't true, let them know. And if it is, tell them that too. Then drop it altogether. Or you can ignore it and eventually it will go away. Either way, give the rumor as little attention as possible.
You are under a lot of pressure, which must be taking the fun out of swimming. You can find a balance so there is time (and energy) to do everything you want. Just be willing to do things a little differently and ask for help when you need it.
All The Best,
The Guidance Guy
# posted by Larry Hochman : 6:54 AM
