To HATE taking the kids swimming.

[ThisOneSeemsNice]

What an absolute fucking FAFF. I hate it!!

I hate the weekly swimming trauma so, so much. Eldest two DC have weekly lessons and, for the time being at least, have their lessons at the same time so it is only one trauma a week. Meantime, I have to keep their toddler sibling entertained whilst they are in.

Taking them swimming is even worse, so I delegate that to DH. I hate getting changed afterwards more than anything whilst herding wet DC and trying to get them not to drag everything through grubby puddles of water on the floor. Ugh, ugh, ugh.

Swimming on holiday is fine though.

I hate it too. I try not to turn into a foul tempered harridan when changing myself, a toddler and making sure 2 older dc change, all while my DH has an epic shower and then dries himself slowly and meticulously, sort out his contact lenses etc etc but I always fail.

I loathe it. I just take DD to lessons; being a fat lump I hate being in a swimming costume. I don't faff about afterwards - dry, clothes on, hat on damp hair, out to the car. Lessons are late afternoon so she has bath and hair wash when we get home. She loves it, so I do it with a smile and a chirpy attitude but am cursing and swearing internally the whole time.

Yanbu, i took the kids sporadically when younger then when they were about 3 and 4 took them every week until they wanted to go off in different directions which when both are non swimmers in arm bands becomes a bit difficult to manage alone!! Now they go to swimming lessons once a week ( same class thank god) so they get their fun and i can keep dry at the side best of both worlds!! They are 4 &5 now maybe you have classes round your way that you can do like this too?

I used to HATE it with a passion - counted down the months and then days until the youngest was 8 and I NEVER had to do it again.

I'm SO glad I did though - encouraging all my dc to be strong swimmers is one of the best things I've done as a parent. 2 now earn their living as lifeguards (around school and university) and all of them have enjoyed all sorts of water sports over the years (for which they needed to be able to swim) as well as hours of fun in holidays and at weekends, with their mates or just on holiday as a family.