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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to think that swimming is not a "life skill"?

131 replies

Alliwantisaroomsomewhere · 27/04/2012 20:00

A friend today said to me that swimming was a life skill (and that's why her son took lessons).

I don't think it is a life skill. AIBU to think that?

OP posts:
BBQJuly · 27/04/2012 21:24

"I just think its a good idea for people to learn how to swim" :o

And there I would totally agree with you :)

LynetteScavo · 27/04/2012 21:26

Of course it's a life skill.

Like being able to read, write, ride a bike and cook.

footphobic · 27/04/2012 21:51

No question it's a life skill - even if you don't label it as that, it's a potential life saver which is reason enough. I don't quite get why anyone would argue it's not a necessary skill to learn as there are so many other positives to it in addition to the safety aspect.

I've prioritised lessons for all of mine until they got to a stage where they were confident strong swimmers, if it came to a choice I would rather have paid for swimming lessons over other activities.

My MIL is desperate to learn to swim now her and her dp have a holiday home abroad with a lovely pool, she's in her late 60's and is finding it a real struggle.

Whatmeworry · 27/04/2012 21:54

Its not a life skill, its a life-saving skill. Its critical IMO.

Rollergirl1 · 27/04/2012 22:13

You could so get embroiled in the semantics of what is a "life skill". Being able to read and write and ride a bike won't save your life but they are still "social" life skills.

I would class being able to swim as a physical skill much akin to being able to run. In its most basic form it can save you from danger. But it is also good for you, in terms of exercise. It is character building, in terms of it making you an independent being. And finally it is fun. Why wouldn't you want your child to have this skill?

Original poster
Alliwantisaroomsomewhere · 27/04/2012 22:19

' "I just think its a good idea for people to learn how to swim" grin

And there I would totally agree with you smile

'

BBQ, see you in pedants' corner!

PS please remember your apostrophe in "pedants' " !

OP posts:
Angelico · 27/04/2012 22:24

Definite life skill as it limits the kinds of activities you can happily do if you can't swim. E.g. my friend and I were on holiday years ago, went on one of those boat trips where you can swim out in the open sea. I was staright in, had a blast. She stayed on the boat huddled in the middle.

When we got back she took swimming lessons - and now canoes, goes caving etc :o

revolutionconfirmed · 27/04/2012 22:24

Definitely a life skill. It could be the difference between life or death for you or someone else. My children will definitely know how to swim as even though I can only swim basically it was enough to get me out of a sticky situation involving the sea when was younger.

joanofarchitrave · 27/04/2012 22:25

Life skills surely vary with circumstances. Ds lives on an island with a temperate climate. Within that island he lives within 20 metres of a river. Ergo, swimming is a life skill par excellence for us.

Interesting that the Unicef lists contain no practical skills at all - presumably because the specific practical skills that are important for life vary so much. But I can have my own view of life skills that are essential for ds, that could be put into the Unicef list under 'coping' or 'managing stress' or 'interpersonal skills'. Swimming is one of them.

bruffin · 27/04/2012 22:43

My dcs had lessons from babies. Ds 16 in particular does a lot of water sports and just passed his nplq and works at the sports centre as a life guard on a casual basis.
I still go to swimming lessons even though I am a very strong swimmer.

bruffin · 27/04/2012 22:54

The article doesn't surprise me as in dcs classes in primary there were about only one of the black children could swim when they started lessons in yr 4.
It is obviously a cultural thing.

BBQJuly · 27/04/2012 23:17

"PS please remember your apostrophe in "pedants' " !"

:o I know... realised as soon as I posted Blush

exoticfruits · 28/04/2012 07:13

Life skills do not vary with circumstances, water is everywhere and someone can drown very easily, especially if they panic. If you can't swim it must be terrifying to do activities like kayaking, that they are quite likely to do at school.
It is so easy to take a DC swimming. Even if you don't have lessons you can take them yourself from babies and get them water confident.

Pastabee · 28/04/2012 07:19

I think it's a life skill and something you can enjoy throughout your life if you are taught properly.

FallenCaryatid · 28/04/2012 07:21

Both my children can swim, it's a lifeskill to me. They have no certificates or badges, and no style to speak of, but they can cover 25 metres in their clothing in an inelegant but life saving fashion.
DS does watersports as well.

FallenCaryatid · 28/04/2012 07:25

BBQ

Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Interpersonal communication skills
Negotiation/refusal skills
Empathy
Cooperation and Teamwork
Advocacy Skills
Decision-Making and Critical Thinking Skills
Decision making / problem solving skills
Critical thinking skills
Coping and Self-Management Skills
Skills for increasing internal locus of control
Skills for managing feelings
Skills for managing stress

That's my Aspie stuffed then, he has few of those. Good job he can swim then.Grin

AutumnSummers · 28/04/2012 07:38

YABU

sunnydelight · 28/04/2012 08:45

I would think of it as a life skill regardless of anyone else's definitions. We live in an area of Sydney with one of the highest percentage of back yard pools in the country, the statistics on back yard pool drownings are horrible. Kids here NEED to be able to swim asap.

PJHarpy · 28/04/2012 08:47

Of course it is a life skill. What a bizarre thing to say!

Everyone should learn how to swim, the rules of water safety and the basics of lifesaving.

YABVVVVVU

exoticfruits · 28/04/2012 08:52

It is another warning that should come with a baby- you will have to go swimming on a regular basis!

Rivercat · 28/04/2012 09:03

It definitely is for us (note the name :o )

Acumenoop · 28/04/2012 09:20

There's quicksand in Morecambe Bay (I fell in it once).

SkinnyVanillaLatte · 28/04/2012 09:25

I can't think of that many skills you can learn at a very young age that can save your life. So,yes,a life skill.

heliumballoons · 28/04/2012 09:26

I would agree it's a life skill - that was my reasoning for sending DS Grin

We live near the coast though and always wanted to be sure that he would be strong enough and able enough to help himself in trouble or help someone else.
I get there's no garuntees of safety but feel it at least gives him a fighting chance.

However after recent events I'm beginning to think swimming lessons are far more hassle than they're worth!

startail · 28/04/2012 09:57

It will simply be assumed by scouts, guides and senior schools that all DC can swim. It is the default time filling activiy on any trip and it ensures the kids get washed at least once!