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?

My 4 year old swims without armbands, I wanted to get her swimming as basically I can't swim very well at all as my parents never pushed me. I remember at age 11 I started high school and was one of the only ones who couldn't swim. It was horrible.
So I decided that my daughter wouldn't be like me. The thing is she loved it anyway and took to it really well, not sure what I would have done if she didn't want to.
She goes to a lesson every Saturday and it's not very expensive.

I agree it is an important skill but the judgemental attitude towards parents who have not had their kids in lessons on here is terrible, there are many reasons why someone may not have got their kids swimming. Expense is one, travel to a pool which has lessons at a suitable time, juggling other children..........my ds1 can swim now but only started with school in year 3. We are very lucky as our school do 2 years of swimming and have small classes. Dd moves up to year 3 in September so will start but we are now hopefully in a position to be able to manage lessons so am,looking to get her and ds2 signed up. Unfortunately ds1 wouldn't be able to go unless he gave up rugby. I know rugby won't save your life etc but hey ho, he loves it, has a good group of friends there and dh coaches it.

did your bang out of order And I think you should go and calm down.

How is did out of order?

I am 38 and I hate the fact I can't swim!! I have tried intensive residential courses/adult group lessons/one on one but the water fear is still there so I have now given up. I first went in a swimming pool at 8, told my parents I didn't like it and they said fine. I wish they had forced me!! Now I am a parent myself I have insisted my husband takes our child when he is old
enough. It is an essential life skill and the earlier it is encouraged the better, in my opinion.

Why is it different to other medical issues?

There's a girl in our swimming club with profound physical disabilities, including no arms.

I have watched her learning to swim from being 3 years old - propelling herself by dipping her head in and our of the water. This at an age when my children wouldn't even put their faces in the water.

She's 10 now and has won a commonwealth junior Paralympic medal. She still swims with our grassroots club every week.

Inspiring girl.

Her disabilities don't stop her.

FATE well how lovely that it hasn't stopped her. However, it does stop some people.