I wrote this post in 2015 when my daughter was swimming in college. Watching the Olympics and having a connection to a few of the swimmers made me miss my swim mom days.
We went to my daughter’s first college dual meet of the season this weekend. I loved every minute of the meet, but even more, spending time with her. She invited several swim teammates out to dinner. It felt like the sprinkle of rain after a long drought—listening to them laugh and talk about their meet and practices.
I didn’t realize how much I miss the little daily things about being an age-group swim mom.
I miss the kids hanging out. So many personalities, so many different families, all bound together by one common goal. Swimming.
I have a fierce loyalty to our team and the couple times when factions of parents split off to form their own teams, I was shocked and hurt. It felt like losing members of my immediate family. I’d always wonder why? I never thought we had a bad experience—maybe at times less than perfect—but I guess that’s part of the reason I didn’t understand.
Good times were sitting together in the stands cheering for all our kids. Getting the new team t-shirts, sipping Starbucks on a chilly winter morning under the pop-up tents. Chatting and laughing with parents while we waited to see what the day’s meet would bring. I loved working with our parents and officials under the admin tent, in awards, or in the snack bar at our home meets.
I loved having kids over to the house to hang out between morning and afternoon practices during long hot summer days. I loved cooking eggs, bacon and sausage in bulk for a pack of hungry swimmers. I was amazed at how much they could eat as a group. I loved having the team over for painting t-shirts for a big meet.
I loved listening to the kids laughing about silly things that happened in practice and the goofy songs they played and sang to like “Funkytown” and the “Numa Numa Song.”
Most of all, l I loved seeing my kids smiling, laughing and enjoying their friendships. Throughout the years, my kids were surrounded by amazing kids, families and coaches. Just being in the background was a joy.
I miss those days.
What do you miss about earlier years in your life?
Children’s laughter is such a sweet sound. Beautiful memories shared Elizabeth.
Thank you! We had so much fun.
You’re most welcome
😊
I miss youth basketball. It was the one sport the adults didn’t ruin.
Ha! Yes we had some of those parents on the swim team.
I think for many moms who had the opportunity to be a part of their kids beloved activities we come to see our own identities wrapped up within the kids lives and special moments. I loved watching my kids interact with their peers and forget most of the time that I was around. You learn a lot from those moments and you also get the reinforcement that your kids are really pretty great people 🙂
That is so true. It was wonderful to be hanging around the kids on the pool deck and have them over to our house. They used to include the parents in games like Catch Phrase and cards. Adults and kids would play for hours under the pop up tents. I remember one away meet where all the families stayed at one small hotel and the games continued into the night.
What beautiful and special memories, and what a joy that you were able to be so close to the action, hosting events in your backyard and coming to view the swim kids’ families as basically your own immediate family.
Thank you! Some of the swim families are still close to us. We recently had a husband and wife spend the weekend with us. When we moved to Arizona, they drove our second car for us because they knew I was nervous to make the drive. Then they turned around and drove back to Palm Springs.
True friends!
Definitely!
I love how you capture the feeling of community, encouragement, and delight with this post, Elizabeth! Beautiful!
Thanks! There were many special days and of course some drama, too!
I couldn’t help but think of a few of your swimming related posts watching the races, especially seeing Katie Ledecky shine. The good thing is that you will always have the memories!!!
I’m glad my posts added to your watching the Olympics. Yes, I cherish the memories.
I think this speaks so wonderfully to who you are and how you create a sense of community and togetherness out of what could be considered a solitary activity (swimming). Kudos to you!
Thank you! I think the first coaches my kids had, a young couple, really focused on building a team and family atmosphere.
Thanks for sharing these beautiful memories and photos!
I’m glad you enjoyed them!
I could relate to everything you said here and shared Elizabeth. We have such common memories of hosting swim teams, and in my kids later years, water polo teams. What a beautiful life you have given to your kids and your community. Your memories just make me nod and smile. Hugs, C
Those were special days and I love the memories.
I miss Michael Phelps! Great personality!
He was commenting during the Olympics. He also shows up at ASU to help coach and motivate the swimmers.