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Original poster

Why can’t DS (10) use a swing??

29 replies

Hairq · 11/04/2019 14:53

DS is nearly 10 and has never been able to work how to swing on a swing. This was something that I was naturally able to do on my own from about 4 and I think that’s about right for most children. But he just cannot do it. I’ve just tried unsuccessfully to show him how to do it yet againbut even though he appears to be doing the right things (pushing his legs out and pulling the chains as he goes forwards and putting his legs back as he goes backwards) he can’t get a momentum going and it stops after about 30 seconds - he never gets it going at all. He’s good at most things physically although has never liked or been good at gymnastics. He’s a good dancer though, a fast runner, strong and healthy. I don’t get it!

How can I help him to master it? I know it’s no big deal if he never does but I feel sad at a childhood devoid of swinging.

OP posts:
DaftQuery · 11/04/2019 15:03

Probably he's not moving his weight in sync with his legs. DS has just figured it out. He's 9!

NorthEndGal · 11/04/2019 15:17

It's his hips he needs to move, the legs pumping is only half of it

Furrytoebean · 11/04/2019 15:59

Yeah it's not just your legs, you have to lean back as you go forward and lean forward as you go back.

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Guylian2019 · 11/04/2019 16:01

Core strength?

Original poster
Hairq · 11/04/2019 16:13

I’ll keep at it. Have tried to explain about using his hips but I don’t think he gets it. It seems like something that you should just do instinctively rather than thinking about. Really
hope he gets it one day.

OP posts:
ineedaholidaynow · 11/04/2019 16:16

Has he had problems with riding a bike or similar things? DS has always been much slower getting these sort of things before many of his peers

Palominoo · 11/04/2019 16:21

It’s not just the legs, you have to move your upper body in the opposite direction too. I still go on swings and I’m almost 53.

Original poster
Hairq · 11/04/2019 16:49

No, he rode a bike really early, walked really early, has always been ahead of his peers physically for most things.

OP posts:
Exexexcel · 11/04/2019 17:54

My 9 yo can't either. No idea why, he just hasn't cracked it yet!

Original poster
Hairq · 11/04/2019 18:50

That makes me feel a bit better!

OP posts:
KitchenDancefloor · 11/04/2019 19:05

Have you looked into dyspraxia if there are any other motor or organisation skills that he doesn't 'get'?

Dyspraxia can be odd with some skills that can be picked up easily others that are almost impossible. Eg he may be able to run but the swinging action is too hard.

Original poster
Hairq · 11/04/2019 19:26

I wouldn’t have thought it’s dyspraxia. I have that so I’m aware of all the signs and the only indication that he has is that he was a bit crap at gymnastics when they did it at school. He’s great at all other physical stuff, has good spatial awareness, muscle control, athletic ability, fairly well organised etc.

OP posts:
Theninjawhinger · 11/04/2019 19:27

Ds is 7 and can’t eother! It baffles me as I thought it was just one of those things you could just ‘do’..... apparently not! He can’t ride a bike either but is very sporty in other ways. Just can’t do-ordinate himself!

KitchenDancefloor · 11/04/2019 19:38

Good to have dyspraxia ruled out OP. At least swinging and gymnastics aren't essential life skills!

Someoneonlyyouknow · 11/04/2019 19:40

Do you push the swing while he's trying to get the action? You probably do but I think it's easier to keep a swing moving than get it started. Also, if you have a suitable tree you could maybe hang a rope with a big knot or piece of wood at the end. If he could stand up he would have his whole body weight to use and could move in any direction. I have discovered that swinging is harder now as an adult than it was as a child, I think it's lack of practice

Pinkkahori · 11/04/2019 19:42

Did he crawl before he walked or did he bum shuffle? I'm sure I've heard thst children who don't crawl struggle with swings.

honeylane · 11/04/2019 19:43

I remember it taking me aaaaaages

Just keep at it, it's all about weight distribution

cakeandchampagne · 11/04/2019 19:46

If he tries swinging every day he has a chance, by the end of summer he will have the hang of it!

JustAWaferThinMint · 11/04/2019 19:52

Not sure my 13 year old knows how to, TBH. Haven't been to a park with him for years. Tends to go with his mates, not his mum. But, he couldn't the last time we went.

He walked before crawling and has dyspraxic tendencies (1st centile fine motor skills, but ok for gross, as he is very physical so has adapted and manages there).

Maybe I'll have to take him to the swings to find out...

Morticiaismymumgoal · 11/04/2019 21:51

Does he like swinging? I didn't really and although I physically could, and sometimes did with encouragement I don't like the motion of it somehow so even now as an adult I CAN do it but I don't like to do I put the stops on, the pp who mentioned the hips probably has it spot on for me- my legs do what they should, my arms do but because my core freezes because I don't WANT to it's all a bit pathetic. Does he like it when you push him high?

Handofglory · 11/04/2019 21:53

My ds has just cracked it aged 7 even though he’s pretty good physically and was riding a bike confidently at 3!
Conversely my dd who’s 10 and still iffy on a bike was swinging from 4 🤷🏼‍♀️

Original poster
Hairq · 12/04/2019 06:46

Thank you all for responding to my first world problem with such good suggestions.

He crawled before walking (and did both early) so it’s not that.

He likes it when I push him but is more reluctant now when there are other children around as obviously he doesn’t want to be seen with his mum pushing him any more. He does enjoy the motion but he’s self conscious because he can’t do it which makes him enjoy it less.

We tried standing up swinging yesterday which had a little more success. Sadly I have the worlds tiniest garden so no handy tree to hang a swing or tyre from.

OP posts:
Original poster
Hairq · 12/04/2019 06:48

Have just remembered - his dad is very sporty but has terrible coordination. I made him do a Jillian Michaels DVD workout with me one morning for the LOLs and he couldn’t coordinate leg and arm movements at all - possibly it’s hereditarily.

OP posts:
Shouldbedoing · 12/04/2019 06:52

Maybe you can give him that first reckless huge pull back on the swing to spare his blushes in public and let him try from there.

Matildatoldsuchdreadfullies · 12/04/2019 06:52

If it’s any consolation, OP, my very athletic 15 year old DD is utterly unable to skip. Fortunately I’m not convinced it’s an essential life skill.