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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To not have organised swimming lessons for DD

23 replies

YellowgreenLily · 04/01/2019 14:45

DD is 4.5... I used to take her swimming, say, once a month myself. Loosely teaching her how to swim but mainly for fun.

Since she started school in September I haven't taken her once (I've had a newborn DD since October so partly to do with that)

Nearly every one I know have taken their DC for lessons (some from 6m old)...

AIBU to have not done this with DD1?

I know it's not too late to start but , is it? Will she be in lessons with 1yr olds if put her in lessons now ??

OP posts:

Wolfiefan · 04/01/2019 14:48

My DD didn’t start until just before reception class. Her school does swimming lessons and I didn’t want the first time she went into a pool for a lesson to be with her class and teachers. I wanted to take her and ensure she was confident without me in the water before going with school.
It’s not too late. But definitely a skill worth having. Ask the pool.

UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername · 04/01/2019 14:51

DD's best friend didn't start till she was 6. From what I've seen, they mostly start around 4, so she'd fit right in now.

NeutralJanet · 04/01/2019 14:51

I doubt she'd be in lessons with one year olds, at my pool the baby lessons which require a parent in the water are totally separate from children's lessons with just the instructor and start at age 4.

SnowdropFox · 04/01/2019 14:54

I was a swimming teacher for years. What class she goes in will depend on her ability. If she can't float or can't swim a few meters yet then she would have been put in the level 1 class for example. And yes that could mean she is in with the 3 year olds (or whatever the lowest age is for that council or company). It's never too late to get her started! I really believe it is an important life skill to learn in case they are ever in an accident (fall in a pond or river for example).

madmum5811 · 04/01/2019 14:55

She will catch up. You will be taking both of them in soon enough.

Amallamard · 04/01/2019 14:56

She'll be absolutely fine to start now.

Nomorechickens · 04/01/2019 14:56

If it's like our local leisure centre, she will be in the small pool till she can swim properly, which is fine at age 4-5 but probably not so great at age 7.

Redgreencoverplant · 04/01/2019 14:57

IMO swimming lessons are essential but 4.5 isn't late as far as I am aware. Just get her signed up for a class and nothing to worry about :)

Satsumaeater · 04/01/2019 14:59

My ds started when he was 5.5, Easter of reception and he has an autumn birthday. He wasn't the fastest learner so did end up eventually being a bit behind in terms of age but caught up and is still swimming now at 16. Not with a club but does an adult swimming session with me once a week (but in the fast lane, I am in the slow one!).

Starting a bit later is fine, they can probably concentrate better and probably make a bit quicker progress if they are a bit older, though obviously depends on the child as mine didn't and messed around at times!

ScabbyHorse · 04/01/2019 14:59

You're worrying unnecessarily. I didn't put my son in swimming lessons young and by six or seven he could swim anyway. We live by the sea and he's a strong swimmer. I couldn't face lessons! Don't fret!

BloominCold · 04/01/2019 15:00

My DD started when she was in year two around Easter as she wanted to be able to swim when she went with school in year three. She progressed extremely quickly (far quicker than her four year old sister who started at the same time) and only did them for a year before she was cabablr of swimming properly for five lengths at a time xx

Desmondo2016 · 04/01/2019 15:02

We have a structure that is 6mths-18mths for the first class and 18mts to 3yrs next, both with parents in the water and irrespective of ability. Then from 3 it's ability based so no, I can't imagine at all that she's going to be in 1 year olds.

FooFighter99 · 04/01/2019 15:03

I've only just got round to taking DD for swimming lessons and she's just turned 7!!

The other kids in her class/group range in age from about 3 upwards, but it's never too late to learn and DD loves going

catkind · 04/01/2019 15:06

Loads of kids start lessons for the first time at reception or year 1 age, and plenty in DS's class hadn't had lessons or still couldn't swim when they started doing it at school in year 3.
Many swim schools have separate classes for school age and preschool children so a beginners class for school age would be 4+ although a stage 2 class for school age might also have some little 4 yr olds who've learned to swim as preschoolers. Not all preschoolers attending classes actually learn to swim anyway, some don't have the coordination yet or just learn swimming under the water baby swimming style rather than actual strokes and staying on top.

Glittertwins · 04/01/2019 15:09

It won't be a problem, she'll go into a group for her ability and if she is older, she will probably understand and grasp the concepts and move along quickly. My two started lessons when they were 3.5 and are now top 10 fastest in the county aged 10 so it makes no odds.

PaquitaVariation · 04/01/2019 15:13

Learning to swim is important, swimming lessons aren’t. Especially those which insist on teaching all the strokes and won’t let them move on until they’ve mastered everything. I’m willing to bet no one ever fell in a river and decided to save themselves using butterfly. Get her some 1:1 lessons, you’ll be amazed at how fast she progresses.

Hullabaloo31 · 04/01/2019 15:18

Most of my son's classmates seemed to start in reception, as did he. He went to lessons as our local pool were a bit funny with adults with 2 non-swimmers, so it was tricky to take both children, and teach him.

LazyDoll · 04/01/2019 15:18

Water confidence is more important I’d say at her age than lessons. My 3rd child had lessons much later than my 1st who we took as a baby as I just couldn’t face carting the 3 of the month around to lessons and the third is so confident in the water/sea and making enormous progress in lessons so it’s not hindered him at all. Go when you’re comfortable. They catch on quick especially if she happy in the water already.

Fundays12 · 04/01/2019 15:24

My oldest started swimming lessons at 3 and can swim under water now etc at 6. My youngest is 2 years 2 months we tried swimming lessons with him and he hated it. Screamed the whole time but I plan to try again in 6 months. I know plenty of ds1 classmates who can’t swim though. I am just nervous of the water as I nearly drowned as a child and only survived as i knew how the basics of swimming so kept afloat long enough for someone to get to me and pull me out from the sea. I wouldn’t feel guilty just start going when you can.

cocodash · 04/01/2019 15:24

i taught my DH to swim at 29!! and taught my DN at 3.
your never too old or too young to learn

Bluesmartiesarebest · 04/01/2019 15:36

YANBU I’ve never had a swimming lesson but I learned to swim aged 8. Many children don’t have lessons because parents can’t afford it. Another year or two really won’t matter and it is hell dragging kids to a swimming pool after school when they are tired.

goldengummybear · 04/01/2019 15:39

My children learned "late" but learned faster. If you feel guilty, get a week long crash course over half term. Many pools will do 1 to 1 or when your h is off maybe he could look after the baby while you go with dd?

Di11y · 04/01/2019 16:11

our local pool only let children over 4 have lessons without needing an adult in too, so they'd not be in with 1 yos.

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