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Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

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Original poster

One year old hates swimming, what would you do?

43 replies

spewgloriousspew · 10/05/2012 11:03

We've been taking him swimming since he was about 3 months old. He's been having 'lessons' since he was about 5 months old.

He now HATES it - sobbing his way through. Proper upset tears, too. Not just pissed off tears.

I've tried him with a wetsuit, in case he is cold. Makes no difference. Tried taking him after a nap, in case he's tired. Again, no difference.

The teacher tells me to keep taking him outside of lesson times as he might get over it. We're half way through the term for lessons, so will persevere with those. But unsure whether to keep going at weekends in our free time.

Has anyone else had a child go through a similar stage? What did you do? Did they get over it, or did you give up?

Thanks

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

FunnysInLaJardin · 10/05/2012 13:37

at swimming lessons being a MC trap. They so are! I used to take DS1 swimming when he was a baby and he really didn't like it, so we used to sit in the shallow end all session getting cold. I finally gave up when he was about 2 mostly because I didn't like going anymore than he did. He is now 6 and started proper lessons last summer. He is now a very good swimmer who loves going underwater and has no fear at all. I wish that we'd done something else with our time now that he actually enjoyed and not thought that we 'had' to go swimming

ajandjjmum · 10/05/2012 13:38

Just have fun with water - swimming can come later.

Original poster

spewgloriousspew · 10/05/2012 18:03

Thanks everyone.

Bit confused at Quintessential's comment about the instructor asking us to get out of the water - that's not happened! If anything, she's pushing to keep us in even when he's screaming.

TheHouseofMirth - unfortunately, our swimming school won't allow us to suspend. It's a use it or lose it situation. Which doesn't mean that I'll necessarily keep going.

OneLittleBabyTerror - not Water Babies, but a similar company.

There is actually going to be another instructor there next week (in addition to our normal one) and she is going to "try to engage" my son. But I have said that if he screams like he did today, we're just going to watch and play.

OP posts:

Seona1973 · 10/05/2012 18:17

neither of mine started proper lessons until around the age of 4 - ds is 5 and can swim the length of the pool and dd, aged 8, is in the advanced swimming group. We didnt even take dd to a pool until she was about 18 months old (we took ds from about 3 months). We do go as a family a couple of times a month and they play about, swim, have fun, etc

MrsJohnDeere · 10/05/2012 18:31

Stop the lessons. Leave it for 6 months. Then try just taking him for a splash about.

Tbh I think lessons for most children are a waste of time and money until they are 4+.

InmaculadaConcepcion · 10/05/2012 19:08

My DD went off going into the water at about 16 months after quite enjoying it at a younger age (when gently introduced to it).

She's now 2.4 and starting to get interested in the idea of swimming because she has a number of books which feature swimming and she's very influenced by what she sees in books. So I'll give it another try soon and see how she gets on. If she enjoys it, I'll see about going more often, if not I'll simply leave it and try again when she's a bit older.

I know it's a bummer if you've pre-paid for the lessons, but it's probably as well to let your DS get over his negative associations with swimming (maybe try using books etc showing swimming as fun as a way of encouraging positive associations) by leaving off the lessons for a while and trying again when he's older and showing interest. There's no rush

Happylander · 10/05/2012 20:14

My DS was like that. Just started screaming and screaming and lasted for nearly a year and then I took him a few times with friends kid just playing and now he loves it and never wants to leave the pool.

Original poster

spewgloriousspew · 10/05/2012 21:59

Right, decision made. Thank you, MN Collective!

OP posts:

seeker · 11/05/2012 07:09

Could you do something else middle class instead? French? Ballet?

Original poster

spewgloriousspew · 11/05/2012 08:25

I was thinking maybe Capoiera, or maybe chess....

OP posts:

Octaviapink · 11/05/2012 08:33

Stop taking him - he doesn't like it so don't take him.

In terms of water safety it's actually considered safer for toddlers not to be able to swim until they're four or so - otherwise they have a completely unjustified sense of safety around water and are likelier to take risks they wouldn't otherwise.

OneLittleBabyTerror · 11/05/2012 10:10

The best thing DD has learned from swimming lessons (so far) is getting her hair washed in bath. We do the verbal command learned from the class, she will automatically close her eyes waiting to be dunked. Then we just pour a large cup of water over her head with this shampoo rinse cup. No tears, no cries.

But it's very expensive way to a no cry hair wash solution .

Woodlands · 11/05/2012 11:10

My DS used to love swimming at around 9-10 months so we started lessons, but he really didn't get on with them because of the structured nature of the class. He went through a phase when all he wanted to do was climb out of the pool, get back in, climb out, etc etc. So we stopped the lessons at about 15 months and now (21 months) I just take him occasionally and he LOVES it! They change so much at this age.

Mind you next week we are going abroad on holiday and it will be his first time swimming in the sea and a cold outdoor pool - am not sure what he'll make of that!

DesertOrchid · 11/05/2012 18:10

My Dad didn't learn to swim until he was 11, then swam for England at junior level. So it's probably fair to say that early learning doesn't make all that much difference! (Although perhaps if he'd started earlier he'd have made it to Olympic level... ;-) )

HandMadeTail · 11/05/2012 18:13

Desert, Michael Phelps apparently had no lessons until he was 7 or 8, and was very scared of the water!

gafhyb · 12/05/2012 05:46

Don't take him swimming

BananaSundae · 12/05/2012 06:04

We've taken my DD to swimming lessons (waterbabies) since she was 6 months. At first she seemed mostly indifferent with the occasional smile. Then at 12 months she started screaming through the lessons so my OH spent most of each class at the side of the pool playing with a toy with her. This lasted a couple of months then it was the summer holidays where she didn't swim at all. September arrived, lessons started again and she loved it, giggling the whole way through the class. At the same time some of the others in her class started getting upset but those who have persevered now love it and it's so nice watching (my OH does all the swimming ) a class full of giggling toddlers on the pool.

Waterbabies even have a leaflet on it called "water wobbles".

CecilyP · 12/05/2012 11:05

Swimming lessons for a 5 month old? Have I read that right? Honestly, I can't see the point of taking a child to an unecessary activity that they hate. It is a pain that you have already paid for the lessons, but I would just chalk it up to experience.

The lessons will not save your child's life. They could never be a substitute for adults being totally vigilant where water and small children are concerned. And in terms of being confident and comfortable around water - they seem to have had the reverse effect. I would give up the lessons and just go back to the pool for some fun in a few months time.

Woodside, DS had only been to the pool once, at about 4 months, when we took him to the beach for the first time at about 18 months. Didn't stop him wading right in, complete with shoes, socks, dungarees and nappy.

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