To think Saturday swimming lessons will be a bit miserable?

[MerryBeret]

DT (reception age) previously had swimming lessons but their teacher moved away and they got cancelled and we took a while to find an alternative, but spaces have now come up.

Previously it was before they started school so lessons were day time (late morning). Obviously that's not possible now they're in school.

We've been given a choice of 11 or 1130 on a Saturday or 5:30 on a Friday, and have to sign up for the full summer term.

530 on Friday will mean we won't be able to eat as a family any more, and the logistics might be slightly tricky as we also have a younger DC. It feels like it will end up being a bit of a rush, and also maybe not ideal when they're tired at the end of the week.

But I'm also loathe to give up my Saturday mornings - it means we can't go away for the weekend, or have a full day out somewhere without them missing swimming (and paying for two lessons they don't go to). The times feel like they're a bit too late to do anything beforehand, and then going out afterwards in the afternoon is also a bit tricky because of younger DCs naps. I don't know if it feels worse because it's summer and I want to have the freedom to just wake up on a sunny Saturday and go to the beach etc if we want?

Aibu about feeling annoyed about committing to this every Saturday, or will it not bother me at all once I'm in a routine?

YABU - just go for the Saturday lessons
YANBU - make Friday work so you can keep weekends flexible

If anyone wants to comment on swimming lessons and logistics and the least painful way of doing this, please do as I'm welcome to any advice! I think it's the having to commit to several months in advance that's making me concerned about it, as it's a long time if it doesn't work out.

ours is at 4.30pm on a Sunday - massive shortage of swimming classes in my area. we took what we got

I'd hate that

We are tied to football matches on a Saturday morning but they're done by 11ish usually, and in the summer it means we are outside and it's actually lovely because we can take the dogs, the other kids can go and play and then as long as he's not forgotten his normal trainers, we can go straight out after. The thought of being stuck in a hot swimming baths every Saturday, especially through the summer....nope!

Nonsense we live near the sea, it is a life skill once they can swim to the side ( aged 4-5 IME) you don't need to watch them by a pool so much.

Mine did lessons from before 1 and could both swim 25m before they were 6. It's just hours in the water Brazilian children swim by 2 or 3.

I would feel the same way. We have always done swimming during the week. I was concerned about tiredness on a Friday evening but found that slot was really quiet and DC progressed really quickly through that stage as it was 1:1 tuition some weeks! 100% I would not, and never have done, Saturday sessions for the reasons youve given. Also lots kids parties are on Saturdays so would mean potentially missing those or swimming.

DS2, also in reception does swimming Saturday at 11.30 and I think it's a great time. His brother is at football from 11 anyway. Then once they are both done we can have lunch and go out for the afternoon (occasionally we go to McDonalds straight after swimming/football so we don't need to also go home before going out).

IME once DC get to primary school almost no friends are available on a Saturday mornings because they all have a club, especially if there are older siblings as well.

I don't do any clubs on Fridays, both my DC are shattered and grumpy by 3pm Friday. (They are in after school club the other days)

Yes this is our current slot. It’s rubbish as they moan all morning they don’t want to go, tit around and we’re still usually late. Then when they’re done, say they don’t want to stop going. We’ll skip it for special days out/ parties etc every once in a while but you’re right, it does scupper plans and progress is slow going where we are, but after school isn’t doable for us really.

Ours is swimming Fridays 5pm, not happy about it as we need to eat stupid early before going. Its crap but frees up our Saturday.

I’d do the Friday one, and get something easy for tea after

We dedicate Saturday to any classes the kids want but have a hard no for any regular Sunday activities. This means we can generally see family/have days out/whole day home as needed. I wouldn't do Friday lessons while in infants as I think they do get tired and they'll suck even more in autumn/winter

We did this, actually they were council lesson at the local pool but a 5 day crash course in the holidays. I think the kids did it twice two years in a row age 5 and 6 and then they could swim. It worked so much better than the weekly lessons for us. Easier to build on what you learned the day before, and if your kids are nervous about lessons then doing the same thing 5 days in a row is better than a slightly different lesson each week, I think that was one of the problems with the weekly ones. My kids did do lots of trips to the pool as well though so they were confident in water.

When my DD was little swimming lesson times regularly changed as you moved up to the next level. I’d do it, it’s a great activity

I agree with you about Saturday mornings. It’s not about wanting a lie in or a morning to myself, it’s about going out and doing things as a family, or going away for the weekend. We’d never see my parents if Saturday mornings were blocked out because distance means we go for the weekend.
My DD does swimming and rainbows on weekday evenings, with weekends left free for birthday parties, having friends over, or family days/weekends.

Also check if the council pools do private lessons, we did lessons for 2 boys together with an instructor, it was probably about the price of 2 or 3 group lessons but I think they got 10 times the benefit as it was exactly at the right level for them. We did one or two each holiday for a few years.

The Friday lesson would be a big no for me. Poor kids will be exhausted.

All mine swim on a Saturday. We used to be home by 11am but now DC2 has been moved up the highest level group and they have lessons at midday. So I'm at the pool twice on a Saturday.

We aren't too precious about missing a lesson if we have plans or are away and we just make afternoon plans on the days they all swim.

Been at it for years now and we just make it work. We are very central though so we can swim / hit the library / cafe and park all on the way home.

Block lessons in the holidays are the way to go, if you can. They learn very quickly.

Sympathies OP- we’ve done both these slots, just viewed it as something that was compulsory. My youngest didn’t start till Y1 though. Each year we tried to move into a more favourable slot.

Yesterday evening youngest had his LAST lesson, Y5, completing his stage 7. EIGHT years I have been schlepping weekly, 40min each way, in an evening or weekend to finish the swim England stages.

Another mum in the same boat and I did a happy dance, hugging each other in delight that it was over. Felt like our own victory 😅

I don’t think there is any rush to start so little, but I feel strongly that encouraging kids to be strong, safe swimmers is an important life skill before they hit secondary school.

I hated all Saturday morning sports for DC with a passion unless I was just dropping off and picking up

Mine have always had Saturday morning swimming lessons.

There is no way I'd sacrifice a weekend (and not all sports or hobbies require this). We have swimming classes (1-1) Karate, Beavers, Rainbows all during the week. DS7 has now finished swimming lessons as didn't want to go past Stage 5, DD4 started at age 3 and goes 6.30-7pm.
Our weekends are busy, we go away at least once a month and see lots of friends and family.

Is it really a big deal to miss dinner together on a Friday? You could have family breakfast Saturday morning instead.

@Neurodiversitydoctor I did say for most kids- although I’m not sure how much being able to swim in a swim suit in a warm pool is going to help you in the sea. And I said swimming lessons, not swimming. As you said, it’s hours in the pool that count. Not expensive lessons teaching different strokes.

I'd do the Friday lesson (or another weekday). Yes, they're tired but the water will perk them up a bit and the lessons are short. Then home for an easy dinner and bed.

There is no way I would spoil a weekend morning by booking a regular activity but that's maybe just me.

My DGC has swimming lessons on a Sat morning. There is no issue. Can't see the problem tbh

A lot of kids are in activities on a Saturday morning (hence we never plan a birthday party for then!). My own reception child plays football every Saturday morning and I imagine will continue to do so now for the next 10 years. Yes, it is limiting but they enjoy it so I prioritise them on the weekend. If we go away, we skip a week, it's no big deal.

Lots of useful points to think about.

Just to be clear, I'm not saying I would never do anything on a Saturday if a DC was really keen and there was no other option. I'm more wondering whether it's a good option or there's a better way when it's not the only possible choice.

That's interesting about the intensive lessons. Might just have to work out logistics of younger DC. @NoisyLemonDog @Mustreadabook And anyone else who did them - how much swimming did you do outside of the holiday courses so that they didn't lose what they'd learnt?

I hadn't thought about birthday parties. We've actually had a few Saturday morning ones so far, including our own!

@ShodAndShadySenators really reassuring, thank you. I think it's not so much wanting my kids to be ahead, but just feeling like I'm a bad parent for not organising it already. But mine have definitely been to a swimming pool so I'm not the worst!

@GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing I think ideally a week night earlier in the week when they'd be less tired, and could guarantee that we'd both be around, or maybe earlier on the Saturday so it doesn't feel like the day is lost? Like other PP, we don't have any local family so it feels like it would impinge upon those visits quite a lot.