Childs swimming lessons

[Iammetoday]

Ds 7 has moved up in his swimming lessons- he's never particularly loved them but loves swimming. The last few times he hasn't wanted to go or has cried before lesson. He says he just doesn't like it- familiar teaches and I watch so not worried about anything like that, I think it's just that's its hard and cold. He can swim a width no stopping. I don't know whether to force the lessons or stop for a while and we take him instead. Advice?

I would try to swim together and build his confidence. Maybe try that before stopping the lessons as it may be hard to get him back to them.

When my older two were you ger we made a deal they had to swim a length before quitting... At our local pool you kid to for kids to be in big pool anyway so made a bit of sense a guess

He can develop strength and stamina outside lessons.

Definitely building confidence and stamina is key so recommend taking him fun swimming. However just swimming a width is hardly anything to manage swimming on holiday or such like so if that's planned then I'd continue.

It's not just swimming though, it's water safety and such like that's taught (in ours anyway) so is a vital skill in my book.

But if he's upset then you probably need to establish why he finds it hard.

At seven he will soon have to swim with his class as part of the school curriculum and so I would make it clear that many are likely to already be very good swimmers. It might encourage him to stick with it and keep going. I’d also take him for weekend fun sessions.