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Sorry - another swimming question

7 replies

Lakelover · 28/08/2008 16:01

DS is just 2. I havn't taken him swimming yet, but we are due to start at a toddler session soon. I didn't take him when he was younger as he had terrible infantile eczema and was worried that the chlorine would cause him more irritation. I have been feeling really guilty that I havn't taken him before now. I'm a good swimmer and think it's really important for him to learn. I guess what I'm saying is I hope I havn't left it too late? Many of my friends have been taking theirs since their first jabs and I hope I havn't disadvantaged him by leaving it a while?

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rosealbie · 28/08/2008 16:05

I used to take my dd when she was about 8 months + and tbh she wasn't really that keen. When she was 2 she couldn't swim for about a year beacuse of some medical treatment she was having.

Anyway, she has just started lessons and loves the water (aged 4). I think she has done better for not swimming early if that makes sense.

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Elibean · 28/08/2008 16:07

course you haven't

I took dd1 swimming as a baby, and she hated it. Tried a couple more times and she was scared and clung to me. Finally tried at just over 2, and she started to love it...she still can't swim on her own at 4.5, but is full of confidence splashing around with armbands on and I know she'll swim soon, in her own time.

dd2 was ill for the first year plus of her life, so she started late too and she adored it from the start.

And when I was a kid, no one took us swimming until we got to school age - and I am totally at home in water and swim well. So there you go, proof positive

Just let him enjoy it and take his time, have fun!

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Lakelover · 28/08/2008 16:08

Oh thanks rosealbie - I've been worrying about it! That's really good to hear.

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Lakelover · 28/08/2008 16:10

Thanks too elibean - we started later as kids too, and are fine - it just seems that everyone I know has 'Phelps' children at an impossibly young age!!

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Elibean · 28/08/2008 16:13

Lakeland, I understand the pressure - hence dd1 ending up at babyswimming classes for a whole dire term

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MaureenMLove · 28/08/2008 16:15

DH didn't start taking DD regularly until she was about 6! She's nearly 13 now and her school have suggested she joins a swimming club, because she seems to have a real talent for it.

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Lakelover · 28/08/2008 16:16

Exactly Eli - you don't want it to turn into a negative experience for them do you? I can remember having to swim round and round a small pool (in tears i think) while scary woman with hair in a turban shouted at the children who put their feet on the bottom!! I was a bit older though..