Dh and I bad at swimming - how to help dc?

[looseleaf]

Hi
Dh and I have never liked swimming nor been good at it.

I'm already anxious Dd (5) won't be competent either by the time she has to learn at school due to us not doing enough but been procrastinating guiltily for a long time. (DS is only 1)
On Saturday I finally took her and we really enjoyed ourselves splashing around in the shallow children's pool. I'd bought her a Konfidence vest on eBay but she didn't want to try it and was very confident/ happy and played with a noodle a bit. She didn't want to leave and we really had a positive time.

Should we start formal swimming lessons once we've had a few more fun sessions of just playing? Any tips to how I can best help her? I hate the whole environment but is this just me and might she even enjoy lessons??

Thanks for any advice

I'd sign her up for lessons ASAP - you might get in from after half term.

If she goes for a lesson each week, she'll quickly build up confidence, and as you won't be in the water with her, you won't pass on any nerves. You might want to think about taking your 1year old for a splash about in the children's pool while your DD is having her lesson.

Id get her into lessons sharpish - before you go down the route of using floatation aids.

You might consider taking lessons too. Plenty of adults do and you'll have more fun with her if you feel confident.

We just got this book to give us find ideas about taking DS swimming. DH and I aren't great swimmers either, but we're going every week now, and will sign DS up for swimming lessons when he's a bit older. We might sign ourselves up too .

Thanks so much for replies. I'll try and get her into lessons- she is reluctant as wants to stay with me but I'll see if any available. I think we've masked our dislike of pools quite well so far(!)

Parents and siblings watch from the end of the pool at DS1's swimming lessons. If she can see you watching it might be less of an issue, and you can give her the odd wave or thumbs up during the lesson.

I swim quite well but wish I'd had the lessons he's getting!