"Buying your kids the best will never replace giving your kids your best."

What does this statement mean to you? 

To me I want to give my athletes my best every day on the pool deck, they deserve my time and effort each day. Being honest with them about their efforts, and attitudes are an important factor in a coach. 

When I was a younger coach, I would sugarcoat everything I said to them, I didn't want them to not like me. Well, that was not giving them my best to them. I needed to find ways to communicate what I felt they needed to change in order to keep them on their success path.

So, when speaking to an athlete, my goal is to give them my best every, be honest, and be respectful.