The 4.00 am Starts!
By jennybianca
@jennybianca (12912)
Australia
May 15, 2007 12:53am CST
It's about to start... the 4.00 am rising for my daughters swimming training.
We have been getting up at 5.00am on Tuesdays for most of this year, but tomorrow, is the first session for her starting at 4.45am. As it's a 15 minute drive to the swimming centre, we need around half an hour to wake up properly & get ready.
I'm really not looking forward to it. This morning, after I got up at 5.00am, drive her to training, then drove her to school, then drove home, it was 9.30am by the time I got home. I fell asleep for one hour.
But this early morning training has to happen if my daughter wants to be a competitive swimmer.
So, now, her schedule will be, for swimming training:
Monday night
Tuesday (early) moring
Wednesday (very early) morning
Thursday night
Friday night
Saturday afternoon
7 people like this
14 responses
@curvychick77 (1084)
• United States
15 May 07
Wow mom, you got a lot to do to prepare that girl for her training. I find those hours a bit too early for my taste. I've never had to experience this, since I don't have kids, but I do remember my mother having to do this for me when I was in the ROTC in high school. We'd practice at 4:45am until 7:30am. It was hell. I hope you find time to get the rest you need. Don't let this overwhelm you, just do one thing at a time and the rest will come naturally.
4 people like this
@judyt00 (3497)
• Canada
15 May 07
Really, why are you pushing your kid this way? its not healthy for her! You know she isn't getting the sleep she needs, and has absolutely NO social life. mGet her training time changed to after school, or tell them you're gonna drop it. Just see how high they jump for your money! 5am. is an obscene time for any child to be forced to get up! And when does she sleep and play?
3 people like this
@mummyofthree (2715)
•
15 May 07
How do you know it is her pushing her daughter? Some kids have dreams and aspirations of higher nature than others. Swimming is so competitive and the training regime is hard. She is lucky to have such a supportive and devoted mum. I'm certain if her daughter did not want to do it or it was affecting her health she would not be doing it.
2 people like this
@texasclassygal (5305)
• United States
15 May 07
I remember those days well, my daughter was not a swimmer but she was involved in many school and afterschool activities, I felt like all I did was cart her around to diffferent places at a specific time everyday. She is now 27 years old and she still looks back to those days when she was active in activities and thanks me for being there for her.
3 people like this
@charms88 (7538)
• Philippines
15 May 07
Wow, jenny, your daughter need to extend extra hours everyday to accomodate her swimming practice. I know what it means to persevere and spent long hours in a competition. I used to be a ballet dancer and I have to spend so many hours practicing after school. On weekend, we we're required to practice more for 8 hours. It can be exhausting but I love every minute of it. I'm sure your daughter wouldn't mind having an erratic schedule since it is her passion to swim.
2 people like this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
16 May 07
As a small child I was FORCED to take accordian lessons. After the first year I loved it looking forward to going to my lessons. As an 8 year old I even got to play with the Detroit Symphony for the publics pleasure at Cobo Ha;ll in Detroit.
@easy888 (10405)
• Australia
15 May 07
Hello,jennybianca,are you a morning person and do you have any problems getting up at 4 am nearly everyday? But I am sure it is going to harder to get up as the winter is approaching.
I think i cannot wake up even at 5 am,I am sure i will fall asleep for the whole day if i wake up at 4am.
3 people like this
@mummyofthree (2715)
•
15 May 07
If this is your daughters dream then good luck and try to have a snooze when you get home! If it isn't her dream then the early mornings and continuose training will soon get too much for her and she'll be begging to stop!
As for the first response you recieved for this post, I have read enough of your discussions to say that you wouldn't force your daughter to this, and if it was affecting her health or well being you wouldn't continue!
2 people like this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
15 May 07
Thank you very much for your supportive comments above. You may like to read my comments in reply to this person.
2 people like this
@mummyofthree (2715)
•
15 May 07
I have read them and I wish your daughter all the luck in the world!
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (158131)
• United States
16 May 07
Parents who have athletically talented children make big sacrifices to bring those talents to full bloom. I hope you find some time in there for you, or take a book, or meditate or something nice for you while you wait.
1 person likes this
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
15 May 07
How old is your daughter? She seems to be a very serious type of child also. Learning a great set pattern for life as an adult. Learning grat responsibility also this way. She must really want this swimming carreer to work out. This is a lot of work for a child at any age. Especially the early morning rising. I really hope she does well. Thanks for sharinf and get to bed early is all I can say. Hee hee hee.
HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!~
@webeishere (36313)
• United States
16 May 07
Very committed for a teenager. Shows some very well bringing up by her parents also. Thanks again. Good luck to Bianca. Love that name BTW.
@linda345 (2661)
• Canada
16 May 07
Wow, you are a great Mom to be so devoted to getting your daughter to training. I agree with the other posters, you are not pushing your daughter, you are only doing what she wants to do. My oldest to where involved in Air Cadets while they were growing up and it took up alot of their spare time. But they wanted to do it. When my son wanted to leave, I didn't say anything.
1 person likes this
@thrwbckjay67 (2870)
• United States
15 May 07
Wow... that's such a hardcore schedule. I remember when I played high school football, we had to be on campus for 6 AM workouts/training sessions, and that still doesn't compare to what you have to do for your daughter. I think it's great that you support her in her athletic goals...
Good luck to you and your daughter... it seems like there is a lot of dedication from her to get up that early, and from you to support her and also get up that early.
1 person likes this
@66jerseygirl (3877)
• United States
15 May 07
God bless ya is all I have to say,lol.How do you do it! As for that member being sarcastic about you pushing your daugher,just ignore her.She's being judgemental and I am sure if your daughter didn't want that schedule,she wouldn't be doing it. Good luck to her!
@KarenO52 (2950)
• United States
16 May 07
That's a brutal time to have to get up. Your daughter must be very dedicated to want to continue with the swimming. It's great that she has goals and is willing to work to achieve something at such a young age. If she's happy with what she's doing, it's all worth it. Good luck to the both of you.
1 person likes this
@dedicated_28 (1383)
• United States
16 May 07
wow, you both have quite a responsibility. 4 am is quite early, you both may burn out soon from exhaustion. Rest when you can. Good luck.
1 person likes this
