A Parent's Guide: 5 Dos and Don'ts at the Poolside

As a parent, watching your child's swimming lesson from the poolside is a unique experience. You see every splash, every kick, every moment of hesitation, and every triumphant breakthrough. Your desire to help them, to encourage them, and to see them succeed is immense. But in our eagerness to be supportive, we can sometimes accidentally do things that hinder their progress or add unnecessary pressure.

What is the parent's true role during a swim lesson? At Dreamers, we believe you are the most important member of your child's support team. You are the CEO of encouragement, the Chief Fun Officer, and our most valued partner. The coach's job is to handle the technical instruction. Your job is to provide the love and support that allows them to thrive.

Based on our years of experience, we've compiled a simple playbook—five essential "dos" and "don'ts"—to help you navigate your role as the best swim parent you can be.

1. DO: Praise the Effort, Not Just the Outcome

The most powerful praise you can give your child has nothing to do with how fast they swam or whether they "won" a race against a classmate. It's about acknowledging their effort and courage.

• DO say: "I loved how hard you were kicking today!" or "You were so brave when you put your face in the water. I'm so proud of you for trying."

• DON'T say: "Why can't you swim a full lap yet?" or "Did you beat the other kids?"

The Dreamer's Insight: This is the foundation of building a Growth Mindset. When you praise the process (effort, bravery, listening), you teach your child that their value lies in their willingness to try and improve. When you only praise the outcome (winning, speed), you inadvertently teach them that they are only "good" when they succeed, which can create a fear of failure.

2. DO: Be Their Biggest Cheerleader, Not Their Second Coach

Your presence at the poolside is a huge source of comfort and motivation for your child. A simple smile, a thumbs-up, or an encouraging wave from you can be the fuel that gets them through a tough drill.

• DO: Be their warm, supportive, positive presence.

• DON'T: Coach from the sidelines. Yelling "Kick harder!" or "Move your arms faster!" while our coach is giving different instructions is confusing for a child.

The Dreamer's Insight: A child can only serve one master. Conflicting instructions from the parent and the coach create confusion and anxiety, and it undermines the trusting relationship the coach is working hard to build. Your role as a supporter is far more powerful than your role as an amateur coach.

3. DO: Partner with Your Coach (Before or After)

We see our relationship with you as a partnership. Your insights into your child's mood, health, or any outside stressors are invaluable to us.

• DO: Arrive five minutes early to give the coach a quick heads-up if your child had a bad night's sleep or is feeling a bit nervous.

• DON'T: Interrupt a lesson to ask a question or give feedback.

The Dreamer's Insight: A lesson is a period of intense focus for both the coach and the child. Interruptions break that flow. We are always happy to chat and align with you, but the best time for that is in the few minutes before or after the session. This respectful communication ensures the lesson time is 100% dedicated to your child.

4. DO: Make Non-Lesson Pool Time All About Fun

One of the best things you can do for your child's swimming journey is to ensure that the water remains a place of joy, not just work.

• DO: Take your child to the pool on a different day with the sole purpose of having fun. Bring floaties, play games, and let them be in charge.

• DON'T: Turn every family trip to the pool into a "practice session" for their lesson.

The Dreamer's Insight: This is our "anti-burnout" philosophy in action. When a child's only experience in the water is a structured, demanding lesson, the pool can start to feel like a chore. By preserving a separate time for unstructured, joyful play, you protect and nurture their intrinsic love for the water, which is the most powerful fuel for long-term success.

5. DO: Trust the Process (and Ditch the Comparison)

Every child's learning journey is unique. Some will master kicking quickly but struggle with breathing. Others will float naturally but take longer to coordinate their arms.

• DO: Trust your coach and the structured "Dreamer's Blueprint." We have a plan, and we know your child's individual path.

• DON'T: Compare your child's progress to the other children in the pool.

The Dreamer's Insight: Comparison is the thief of joy. Your child's journey is their own. A child who feels they are constantly being measured against others can develop anxiety and a fear of not being "good enough." Trusting the process and celebrating your child's personal "small wins" is the key to building their unshakable self-confidence.

By embracing your role as the ultimate supporter, you create a positive, low-pressure environment that allows your child to flourish. You and your coach are a team, and together, we can make this a wonderfully rewarding journey.