to think I'm not a bad parent because my child hasn't learnt to swim?

[purplefan5]

DS is 7, he doesn't know how to swim and he is still in armbands, is this really so bad? I seem to get the worst looks when we go swimming, etc.

Is it really that bad? He doesn't want to do swimming lessons.. Are you supposed to force them?

Navy No - it's a big part of your child's holiday. Not of mine. Different children, just like different people, like different things.

My dd (7) can't swim yet either - nor could eldest at that age. She is confident in water / doesn't mind putting her head in the water / pretends to swim (she likes using a ring). Is fine by me.

I can't swim. Not for my parents lack of trying, but purely out of my phobia for water (my excuse) and sheer laziness to deal with it or attend swimming classes. Yes, I had a strong preference for reading, daydreaming and fictional writing at that age, I was told!

You cannot force a child to take on swimming lessons. In adulthood, they will realise what an essential skill it is, and pay out of their pocket to learn like I am having to do

Until I joined MN, I had never heard swimming described as an "essential life skill" and I continue to be baffled by the phrase. It is a nice skill to have but only if you don't want to watch your kids like a hawk each time they have access to a river, lake, sea or pool does it become an essential skill. Even in those circumstances, I would be surprised if many 7yo could save themselves if they unexpectedly fell in a cold body of water with no bottom or side whilst fully clothed. I couldn't disagree more. I wouldn't describe myself as a strong swimmer, but being able to swim definitely saved my life. When I was about 15 I fell in a river while out for a cycle ride with a friend (bike and all). I think knowing I could swim stopped me panicking and enabled me to swim to the bank and climb out. It is an essential life skill because it could actually save your life. I made sure my kids had swimming lessons as soon as possible - it's not an optional extra curricular activity like playing the piano. Why don't you enroll your son on a swimming course at your local pool over the summer to get the ball rolling?

It's not a life skill. It is if you live in particular circumstances, but for most people it isn't.

Yep.

It's a skill, but not one that I think is essential for everyone to learn.

I have managed to have fun in pools without swimming and my crap swimmers aren't about to jump into water without proper supervision knowing they can't swim very well.

I get that it is important to some, that is great. It's not important to me and I am fine with that and happy with my choices and don't think I have been neglectful in not pushing mine more.

Take no notice of anyone else. Your helping just by taking him swimming and him being in the water. If you can afford it have you thought of one to one tuition? This may be the answer if he's very anxious. I do agree swimming is a life skill though and should be learnt.

did why don't you ask them? Did they never come home with any certificates?

I agree with U2. I think the 'essential life skill' stuff trotted out on Mn is often a cover for 'might be embarrassed in front of friends/awkward on holiday/may restrict social life.'

Getting him sat in bath learning to put face in water first then head under with goggles ?

Mine have been on trips with school ( primary and secondary ) / scouts etc and all involved water sports / trips to pool . As teens they meet up with friends to go swimming in the holidays . Being scared of water would really impact their enjoyment on what should be fun trips .

There's some great advice from posters , he is only 7 .

I've watched a kid being pulled out of a pool and resuscitated.
My kids have been taught to swim because it's a life skill, not because I give a fuck about being embarrassed about what other people think.

I'm a strong swimmer and thought I'd be able to teach DS no problem. Wrong. As a baby he screamed blue murder at bath time and don't get me started on hair washing

This lasted into toddlerhood and being as we holiday by the sea/pool every year, I was concerned.

Fact was, I was too close to the elephant. Swimming lessons worked for us, taking me out of the equation. He responded well to someone else telling him what he needed to do.

I also consider an essential skill.