When my daughter was 7 yrs old, she was DQ on 100y IM event. Ever since that happened, she would psych herself out to the point where she's crying until the event actually happens. At this meet, Mia was having her moments right before her IM event crying so bad she could not keep her goggles on... I was trying to make her laugh while waiting for her heat, making faces, telling her funny jokes and NOTHING worked. Until, a bird that was flying over me decided to poop on me. I mean smack on my forehead right in front of her. That made her laugh and totally forget why she was crying to begin with and ever since than she is SO over her fear of IM events, she now LOVES it! I guess if I can't help my daughter conquer her fear, a bird might as well help this helpless swim mom. :-)