Dd and swimming lessons at 3.2; should I perservere or leave them for a while?

[milkymill]

I've found a really good group that does swimming lessons which I tohught dd would really enjoy. It's a small group with children of the same age, and the instructor is in the water which means I simply sit and watch from the side with younger ds.

Dh took her for the 1st time last wek and they left after 10mins because she hated it so much. Dd loves it whenever we take her, but she does seem to have problems with any sort of organised activity e.g singing time at toddler group. It's as though she feels pressured/embarrassed if asked to participate when a few children are doing something together such as singing etc.

I am so disappointed as I really want her to get a good start with learning to swim and I thought she'd enjoy something like this. Plus I was chuffed to find a non-extortionate lessons provider where I don't need to go in to the water.

Should I try again or admit defeat? She gets quite aggressive/dark if I broach the idea. I suppose I just feel I must be doing something wrong; I don't know where this anxiety of these 'organised' situations comes from, I can't imagine being able to take up any activity at the moment without getting a similar reaction and it upsets me .

try again in a year. She obviously hates it. ds2 was the same and it did my head in at the time (over anxious mum syndrome)
3 is still very very very little. my dd2 is 3.11 and loathes water so she can't have the hydrotherapy she needs. But whats the point of them screaming?

Leave it for now.

My ds 3.3 and it hasn't crossed my mind to take him swimming. He'll learn it when he's bigger, and when he's with other kids.

Mind you, I bloody hate swimming anyway

me too. Having to shave everything and hold in ones tummy. ick.
ds2 still needs to learn to swim and he's 11! he just hates it and is dyspraxic.

Thanks. I agree there is plenty of time. I suppose this is less about the swimming and more about me being terrified she's developing some sort of social anxiety! There are loads of things we could potentially do, but dd (who is usually lovely and well behaved) flares up like a cornered dog in these situations.

Oh - and she 100% loves the water, so I know this is about the whole 'group thing'.

my dd has just started swimming lessons but she is 1 year older than yours. If she doesnt like then I'd stop for a while and start when she is a bit older.

I always hated swimming when I was a kid. It's not that I can't swim (in fact I'm quite a strong swimmer with no fear of water whatsoever), but I just hate getting wet.

And you're right, NMC, I would have to shave places that haven't been shaved for many, many moons.

My dd didn't start until she was 4.5 and she loves it now. Wait and start later. Also, get your dh (or go yourself) to go with her in the meantime and just have fun - no pressure, just splashing about getting confident in the water. That really worked for us and we knew when we'd taken it as far as we could. She was then really confident at swimming lessons and has done well ever since. I'd also recommend a 'float coat' - brilliant for water confidence and doesn't get in the way of arms moving like arm bands do.

My ds started lessons at 4 and a quarter and he loves it. I would go with the advice various people have given and wait a year as most 4 year olds are much better equiped for swimming lessons than 3 year olds. I don't think there is much point persevering if she obviously doesn't like it.