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Swimming issues

2 replies

t1a1c1h · 22/10/2025 12:10

We have been taking our almost 3yo daughter to a toddler swim class for a year now. It's basically nursery rhymes and toys in structured in- water activities. However even after such a long time going our LO refuses to follow instructions, engage in the activities or do anything that isn't clinging to me for dear life. If I try and encourage 'swimming' I get thrashed and screamed at. She is capable of lying in the water and kicking/ running in the water held up with floats/ climbing in and out and jumping in. She just plain refuses to do it except very occasionally on her terms. She is a very willfull child in general tbh which is challenging enough out of water. We got fancy patterned swim stuff and floaty jacket which she chose and likes. The pool is warm and the teacher is friendly. Do we abandon? All it seems to do is stress me the hell out which obviously rubs off on her to some extent. I dont want to disadvantage her in swim lessons later on, and we have a boat so kind of need her to not instantly sink and drown at the first touch of water! Any ideas? Anyone else been through similar? Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
BunnyRuddington · 22/10/2025 22:55

I’d work on being a bit more chilled yourself and continue to go, if you’ve already paid but then give her a few months out or maybe a year and start again.

skkyelark · 23/10/2025 14:25

I think I'd try taking her to just an open swimming session for now, especially if you can find one that has a decent toddler-depth section (even better if it has a ramp entrance where they can just play in knee-deep water if that's what they want). Then try again with lessons when she's a bit older, and hopefully more on board with the idea of structured activities.

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