Switching coaches

I am NOT switching coaches. Promise.

But at my rink a whole lot of people are having to at the moment because one of the full time coaches is leaving. Another coach also just left, although she had fewer skaters than the first one.

Personally, I've only changed coaches once. And it wasn't by choice, it was after my first coach left the rink suddenly. But I've seen it happen, and have thoughts.

Be open.
Ok, sometimes it's not possible. Sometimes you want to have a new coach lined up before you let the old one go. But don't start lessons or take trips with new coach before telling old coach, especially if you want to continue taking lessons with them or at least stay on good terms. New coach shouldn't let you do this, if they do you may want to question their ethics.

Don't gossip.
People are gonna know you've changed coaches (or dropped a coach or started lessons with a new coach) and will probably ask about it. Only ever say nice things. If you have nothing nice to say about Old Coach, focus on the positives of New Coach, not the negatives of Old Coach.

Make it easy for the skater.
You might hate old coach with a fiery passion. But your skater might love them and have respect for them, so don't bitch about old coach in the hearing of the child (or just don't bitch at all). Make sure they like and respect new coach and that they're comfortable with the change. In a situation like mine, where one coach is leaving, the skater is probably sad about leaving their old coach, but they should still be excited and open to lessons with new coach.

Don't sink to their level.
Some coaches are bitches. Just like some teachers/nurses/office workers/firemen/police people etc are bitches. If old coach takes things out you or you kid, all you can do is ignore it and focus on the skating. Keep your head up, grit your teeth and wear earplugs. Like any bully, if they see it upsets you it'll get worse, if you ignore it they'll eventually get bored.

Final note.
My favourite comment from a coach switching parent was that she didn't care if new coach was really a better coach (although she thought that new coach was better), she would rather her child grew up to be like new coach than grew up to be like old coach. Your kid probably isn't going to the Olympics. But any coach is gonna be a huge influence on a child's life. Pick one you wouldn't mind your kid turning into.