Should I force him to do swimming training?

[Bellabelloo]

DS9 is the strongest male swimmer in his year and the year above. The school picks 10 swimmers out of about 600 to do swim training twice a week before school and there are 4 swimming galas per term. We are so proud he has been picked every year and is the only boy representing his year in the galas and know how good for his health overall it is. But he hates it! We have had loads of tears tonight as training starts again tomorrow morning. I don’t want to
force him to do it. I’m certainly not going to carry him in kicking and screaming. I have tried a bit of bribery/motivation. Should I just make his excuses?

No, he should be able to choose his activities. If he's good at swimming there are probably loads of other things he would also be good at that he might prefer. Give him the opportunity to work out what his thing is. He might prefer something more social too.

Why would you force your child to do anything? He can swim for enjoyment and health without this unnecessary pressure at such a young age

You’re right about him choosing and also doing something more sociable. I think he might enjoy it more if he had a friend doing it too. He does do a lot of team sports and enjoys them.

Swim training is hard work. I think you have to want it and enjoy it otherwise it will feel like a massive chore. It can feel like a massive chore even if you love it. If he’s done it before and know he hates it, I think you have to listen. Maybe speak to the teachers and see whether he could pause this year and give another child a chance at the squad.

Absolutely not, it’s his choice. He’ll resent you if you force it

My DS was very sporty, he was selected to join a notable team and decided that it wasn’t for him. We respected his decision and never bullied him into anything

Why would you force him? Makes no sense.

He hates swimming

he can swim well enough for emergencies

don’t force him to- good grief ! Make his excuses “sorry he doesn’t want to do swimming “

my only caveat would be “you don’t have to do swimming but I do want you to chose something active that you do a few times a week please “