how young is too young? (Page 2)

I've been a competitive swimmer since age 5. I'm now 26.

Swimming 5x a week for the summer session isn't necessarily a recipe for burn out. I swam 5x a week every summer. I didn't swim in the winter until high school - and then, I swam summer and winter. I went on to swim in college. I've competed in masters a few times since then. I love every single season! Senior year of college I started to feel the twinges of being burnt out - I worked with my coach on keeping me sane and happy for my last season, and I was competing in Masters Nationals by the year after graduation.

Swimming also isn't guaranteed to ruin your shoulders. I struggled a bit in high school and college with some pain - never really found the cause, but found ways to manage it (stretches, chiropractor, ice). I wouldn't for a second trade one of those swim seasons for anything. My shoulders are function and fine, with the exception of an occasional ache after a long (3500+ yd) swim session.

The big thing my parents did was let me choose. Every year it was "Elaine, are you sure you want to swim this year?" and I answered yes. 

So, please don't be discouraged by what people are saying. Let your kid guide her athletics - just be certain that who is coaching her has some idea what they are doing. 

I love swimming. Some of my proudest moments happened on a pool deck

Our family Ortho Doc would disagree with you....and he's a good one.  Osgood-Schlatter disease is one of the biggest knee problems in children.  One of our girls suffered with it for years.  Any sport that entails continuous running for kids carries a risk.  And while the condition itself may not cause any permanent damage....there is always a cost somewhere when it comes to injury.  My son had problems with the heel growth plate when he first started running.....we had him quit for a year. 

 I think you are spot on with your starting age though......12-13 is right for kids to start handling some "training".