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Original poster

To think it's worth the money ? Is it really

41 replies

Lankysara · 05/08/2017 18:20

Hey !

So I don't know if you all remember a thread where I posted about DD having private swimming lessons for a number of years but just couldn't learn to swim ! She has Dyspraxia and other things.

A friend, who has a child with Down syndrome and learning difficulties, recommended me this particular swim school where they taught her DS to swim and her boy is a really good swimmer !

The downside is... it costs around £30.00 for 10 mins session (1:1). The majority of you agreed with me that it was a waste of money. After that, I persevered with DD's usual swimming lesson but she just wasn't enjoying it anymore, she felt like she wasn't progressing, was quite upset and we gave that up.

During the Easter, the expensive swim school were running a swimming crash course.. I buckled up and thought we could try this ( just for two days). Oh my goodness... when DD started the crash course at the expensive swimming school, I was just shocked. The swim school taught DD different techniques which I haven't seen at DD's previous lessons. I could instantly see why it was only for 10 mins... it's actually pretty intensive and DD progressed very well with short bursts of lessons, plus their pools are much smaller ( which is helpful for DD as she gets easily distracted). The swim school weren't fazed by her Dyspraxia.... DD progressed in her swimming with this swim school than her previous swimming lessons ( which she did for four years !). We went for a couple of more days and DD learnt how to kick her legs up and down in the pool !!

I know it doesn't seem like a huge deal but it was a huge deal for DD and I ! Because of them, DD's passion for swimming has returned and she's been progressing in her swimming skills !

DD wants to carry on with them in the upcoming term, this time the lessons will be longer (30mins) as DD has passed their first swimming stage programme. However Sad, it's £500.00 for a term.

Is it worth it ? It just seems like so much money ( though really I can't talk as I was spending £25.00 a week for 1:1 lessons for two years ! And other failed group swimming lessons.

Should I pay for it ? Is it worth it ??

OP posts:
scaryclown · 05/08/2017 18:26

The joy of being able to swim is amazing. If it's not going to break the bank, satisfying and enjoyable progression towards full swimming is very rewarding, and a skill you don't lose once its fully embedded, so if you can afford it, I think it's worth it.

My allegory is I resolved to improve my breaststroke and learn crawl last year using YouTube, swim fit classes and a lot of self taught drills, and to do it properly took a lot of application. Short circuiting this with teachers she responds to is positively priceless in my view. But I am an extreme fan if swimming, it's so delicious 😋

glenthebattleostrich · 05/08/2017 18:28

Swimming is the only hobby that can save a child's life. If you can afford it, do it.

IWantABlueBanana · 05/08/2017 18:30

Swimming is a definite must! Go for it!

Ellieboolou27 · 05/08/2017 18:32

Yes worth it, skill for life blah blah blah, also so far I've spent over £400 in the past year on dd's swim school lessons, she still won't put her head under the water! If by the end of the year she's not moved up I'll consider private expensive lessons

JennyBlueWren · 05/08/2017 18:43

I suppose it's more of a question of can you afford it?

I wouldn't be able to afford this so it wouldn't be an option but if I could afford it (without any huge cut backs) then in your boat I would do it. Does DD do any other expensive hobbies -could you make her choose?

Certainly don't get into debt for it!

JennyBlueWren · 05/08/2017 18:45

Oh also -if it is too much for you to afford- could you ask relatives to fund it as a birthday present? I can imagine my DM being so pleased to pay for something like that.

Witsender · 05/08/2017 20:08

Depends how affordable it is for you?

Supermagicsmile · 05/08/2017 20:12

Can you teach her yourself? If not and you can afford it, go for it.

cafenoirbiscuit · 05/08/2017 20:19

(OT here) - swimming is great for DCD - plus improves water confidence and therefore socialisation through teen years. And if your DD is enjoying it and learning well, then go for it Smile

Allthewaves · 05/08/2017 20:36

it's more can you afford that amount

jay55 · 05/08/2017 20:37

Can you afford it?
It's only going to help your daughters coordination and it sounds like it has been amazing for her confidence so far.

AndNowItIsSeven · 05/08/2017 20:38

Do you get dla for your dd if yes then I would definitely pay.

wrenika · 05/08/2017 20:48

If you can afford it, I think it'd be well worth doing. It's a fundamental life skill to be able swim and (god forbid) it could save her life one day.

OverOn · 05/08/2017 20:59

If you can afford it (or ask for contributions as Birthday / Christmas gifts from family as PP suggested), I'd go for it.

TheSnorkMaidenReturns · 05/08/2017 21:13

If you can afford that, do it. I have a child with severe dyspraxia and he has regular normal lessons, but we have had 1:1s a few times over the years. If I could find decent specialist disability lessons I'd book them in a shot!

SafeToCross · 05/08/2017 21:19

You might have to be clear with her that it is a time limited opportunity, and hope that after that she might be interested in other swim classes of casual swimming,

NK493efc93X1277dd3d6d4 · 05/08/2017 23:51

Definitely for a while and perhaps reinforce what she learns with midweek practice.
There's nothing like actually swimming for developing swimming skills and just 10 or even 30 mins a week is too little.
Once she's proficient you may no longer need the same type of lessons.

Haggisfish · 05/08/2017 23:55

We had similar. We are doing a crash course every termly holiday and practise with us in between.

SuperBeagle · 05/08/2017 23:58

If you can afford it, I would suggest to continue doing it. As others have said, swimming is more than a hobby; it's a vital life skill.

But if it's going to put you into debt or financial stress of any sort, then reasonably you cannot continue. Perhaps watch what they do with your DD and try to imitate that/reinforce it with her?

Original poster
Lankysara · 06/08/2017 00:08

Hello Everyone again,

Yes I can afford it but it will be a bit of a stretch.

DD is quite tom-boy-ish and is only interested in sporty activities (despite her co-ordination difficulties). Apart from karate ( which she only does over the holidays) swimming is the only extra curricular activity she enjoys and is currently doing.

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 06/08/2017 00:20

I think learning to swim is a must. But the lessons do seem very very expensive. It took me ages to learn to swim when I was a child. Couldn't get the hang of it at all but I did in the end. I think I'd explore all local pools and see if there are any instructors who charge more reasonable fees.

C0untDucku1a · 06/08/2017 00:21

Relading your update id definitely keep going with this swimnschool

Original poster
Lankysara · 06/08/2017 00:28

Viven it is expensive. I can see why it is... they have to hire out a private pool and the pools they hire out are specialist pools due to also teaching children with a variety of SEN (lighting in the pools, projectors etc.

OP posts:
SweetLuck · 06/08/2017 00:39

It sounds great, it's not in the south west is it? Swimming lessons my DD went to were crap!

Justaboy · 06/08/2017 00:46

I think you should do it, there will be a time in her life where she might have to swim to save her life something could go wrong at the seaside beach whatever, or a unintended dip in the river canal anywhere so do it!

And what if she's a tomboy?, nowt wrong with that its just the way she is, and if she enjoys swimming all the more!

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