As parents, we dream of seeing our children flourish. We want them to reach their full potential. How do we help them along the way? How do we help them to create a vision or set goals and then set up a plan to achieve them? Let's explore how to cultivate a goal-oriented mindset in your child, whether in the pool, academics, a new sport, or a passion.

Discovering the Vision:

Encourage them to try new things and think about what they may like to try. This can happen with open communication and asking open-ended questions. Help give them new opportunities to explore.

Setting S.M.A.R.T Goals:

SPECIFIC: Instead of getting good at diving, aim for doing 3 dives a week.

MEASURABLE: Trach progress.

ACHIEVABLE: Set realistic and achievable goals.

RELEVANT: Aligns with the child’s overall priorities and contributes to a larger goal.

TIME-BOUND: Has a defined deadline for competition.

Give Support, Encouragement, and Accountability:

Your role is crucial and your commitment is vital. Become your child’s biggest cheerleader. Invest your time in what they desire to achieve. Share stories from your experiences that they can relate to. Remind them that hard work will pay off and that they are strong. Stay involved with your child and remind them of the joy and excitement that they had when they first started.

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I think the most important thing with helping your kids meet their goals is sticking with them, wherever they are at in the process. If that means being vulnerable with them or pushing them even when they don’t want to be pushed. It’s sometimes hard to go through with them but being their anchor and knowing they have your unwavering support and that we can all do hard things, has helped us on our journey to swim!”

— Megan Kunz

”I think the most important thing in helping your kids meet their goals is sticking with them, wherever they are in the process. If that means being vulnerable with them or pushing them even when they don’t want to be pushed. It’s sometimes hard to go through with them but being their anchor and knowing they have your unwavering support and that we can all do hard things, has helped us on our journey to swim!” Megan Kunz