swimming lesson WWYD?

[lyndaishistory]

It's my 7month olds last swimming lesson today. He loves swimming and is really happy in the pool but I have really com to dread it.
It is such a hassle getting him to nap so that he isn't tired and it never works out how I need it to so after the past couple of lessons he has screamed and screamed whilst getting changed.
I chat to him, try to distract him and sort him out as quickly as possible but he is just so unhappy getting changed.
I joined the class to make some friends. All the ladies were very cliquey and I just feel on the outside every week. That said, I make an effort and chat and they are polite back. I did ask last week if anyone would like to meet up for a coffee but got turned down for various reasons (they meet up once a week and haven't invited me to that).
One mum who goes with her partner has been really vocal about my DS crying when getting changed ("oh, is he being tortured?", "I'm so glad you don't cry like that DS" etc) and I just not sure I can handle it.
DS is currently asleep. We have to leave in 30mins. Should I wake him up to go or just forget all about it?

He's 7 months old
Let him nap

Take him swimming another time

Swimming lessons at that age are a waste of time and money.

And the parents sound mean!!

Cancel the lessons, and just go swimming when you want too. He will still learn to be happy in the water and he can learn the swimming stuff later.

Swimming lessons are hell until they are about 8 years old and can get themselves changed.

You can’t teach a baby of under a year to swim anyway.

Put the kettle on and forget about it.

Take baby for a splash in the pool at a convenient time.

You can take him swimming any time. I wouldn’t go.

Dd didn't start to learn to swim until she was 3. She's now a regional level swimmer and coach

Could you take DS to a casual swim at a time that suits you better. My local pool does parent and baby/ toddler sessions that you just turn up to. A more formal lesson probably is not necessary at 7 months, he just enjoys being in the water with you.

Just ignore the other parents. You are obviously doing your best. Tired babies cry sometimes, and making nasty comments is just unhelpful.

Do you go to any other baby groups or activities?. My two loved singing time at the local library, and churches often run nice baby and toddler groups.

You are doing a wonderful job. Don't let the meanies get you down.

I'm a baby swimming teacher - today I'd miss it if you're not enjoying it, but I'd definitely carry on in principle? Could you try a different company (some are much more friendly than others), and a different time of day (so he's not knackered)?

You're right it should be a fun thing, but please don't write it off if you don't enjoy this particular class/company x

Thanks everyone.

He's still napping. It's his last lesson (lessons are now cancelled) and he gets a lot of enjoyment being in the water.
I know they don't learn much at that age but I thought joining a group would help us make friends.
My DH said we can go on saturdays together after he's napped.

I feel all over the place at the moment and quite down (must be hormones) and I just feel like I need to please people or that I need permission to do things. Sounds so silly. Going to let my baby nap and then have some lovely cuddles. Thank you!

Growyourowndaisies what a beautiful username!
We go to rhyme time at the library and a church group on a friday. I am friendly with the other parents but find that they either keep to themselves or come in packs. I'd being going to the swim group longer than the other groups, which is why I reached out and asked if anyone wanted to meet up outside of swimming but feel a bit "once bitten, twice shy"

@Plipplops
I've cancelled the lessons as I'm due to return to work next month. My DH works part time and we will go swimming on Saturdays instead :)

Christ on a bike that sounds awful! Baby swimming lessons are pretty pointless. Go swimming at a better time of day, when your partner can come to help you with the change room he'll.

You'll make connections naturally at another group or activity. Try local community playgroups instead, you'll meet a range of people there rather than the cliquey bunch you seem to be seeing at swimming.

*hell

Thanks CAAKE

It hasn't given you what you hoped for- new friends- so it was time to move on anyway. Sounds like the time was never really convenient and the other mums sound fairly stand-offish.
When you go back to work and take him on Saturdays, buy a lovely hooded cotton towelling dressing gown that you can bundle him up in as soon as he gets out of the pool. He might be crying cos he's cold- or maybe he just didn't want to get out!
Also much easier if there are 2 adults. You can get out first, get a hot shower and change whilst DH and DC stay in the pool. When you are ready, you can then go and get DC and get him changed quickly.

So DS's lesson started at 11am and we aren't there...
It sounds overly dramatic but I feel so happy and relaxed and so glad that I'm not there. I didn't realise how down it was making me.

Thanks again for all the helpful advice, we are going for a nice walk along the beach later.