My son refuses to swim???

Question

My son is going to be 15, and refuses to swim or do any sport. I picked swimming for him because he used to do it when he was younger, but he doesn't want to do it. He says the suits are too small (they have to wear the briefs).

What can I do to convince him?

Answer 1

they don't HAVE to wear the briefs. there are suits called jammers that come down to the knee.  

Answer 2

I agree with another answerer who said ask him to choose a sport or you will choose one for him. I would broaden this definition though to say choose an organized activity (any sport, music lesson, art class, drama class, etc.) or you will choose one for him. Kids sometimes need to pushed to change their lives for the better.

However, if athletics aren't his thing, don't push it. He'll probably resent the sport and quite possibly, you. Whatever you do, don't pay him or bribe him to do an activity. Extracurriculars are supposed to be fun, not a job. The rewards that come from doing something like swimming, music, or art, should come from the activity itself, not an external source.  

Answer 3

Your son sounds like he may be g*y. Try getting him into ice skating. LOL

Answer 4

YOUR son refuses to swim. and I picked swimming for him...hmmmm

Why do you want him to swim? This may be more about YOU than him. I've caught myself doing the same thing with my son. I've tried to get him to go to camps, go to the batting cage, etc.... More times than not he doesn't want to. That's when I realize that I want it more than he does. We, as dads, need to back up and support our kids in the activities that THEY choose. Yes, that's easier said than done. It could also be the fact that YOU chose swimming not him. You never know, he may choose swimming later down the road when you've given him more space to make his own choices.

If it is indeed that 'the suits are too small' then get him a 'drag suit' for practices and a 'full body suit' (these are a little spendy though) for competitions.

Personally I wouldn't spend a lot of time or money on an activity that it's apparent he's not into. Give him more slack and when he expresses an interest in something let him choose and excel at his own pace but show that you're interested by supporting his decisions.

Aren't kids a blessing? Aren't teenagers a second blessing? (I think teenagers are our parents way at getting back at us after we grow up)

Good luck.

Answer 5

If he refuses to do any sport then say he has to choose one or you will choose for him. You could also offer money if he places in competitions, but you dont have to. I was like that, I absolutley refused to start swimming but my dad signed me up anyway, and I love it now, I look forward to swimming all week! Part of the problem might be that he thinks you are signing him up for swim lessons, and lessons seem little kidish. If you sign him up for a beginners swim team then he will be more willing to go. Good luck!

Answer 6

not every kid likes sports. maybe he's into music, art, or girls. let him pick what he wants to do. if you force him into doing something he doesn't want to do he'll hate it even more. you sound like a caring dad maybe you two could find something you both enjoy and do that together.

good luck

Answer 7

Well you can't force him to do a sport. Even if he does it, hes going to do it because you are forcing him not because he wants to =\. If this is just for exercise then i'd say MAKE him do it. If this is for him to compete to someday be the best..won't happen unless he really wants to win.

Answer 8

reward him tell him if he gets like a ribbon or something  h**l get like $10 for like if he gets 3rd place or something