how to try to encourage 20mo dd to like swimming

[mamacoffee]

we go regularly and 20mo dd doesn't really enjoy it. if she was my only dc i would just stop going as it would not be a big deal, but 3.6yo ds loves swimming and i don't want to stop him going.

one option we have been trying is dh to take ds, and me and dd don't go, but every now and then we try again and take her (eg today) and she still doesn't really enjoy it. she doesn't hate it but she doesn't love it either. so how can we make it more enjoyable for her and build her confidence in the water?

My DS was terrified of the water. We didn't make him go for ages, then we took him to a pool at a quiet time which had a baby pool with wide, shallow steps and let him sit on the first step with a little watering can. Little watering can was key!

Took a little while but he hasn't looked back (though now he whinges about the showers .)

Forgot to say we gently encouraged him to go in a step at a time, but no pressure at all.

I had this with my ds when he was about the same age. We went on holiday to a house with a pool and he wouldn't get in at all for 5 days!

Finally we did similar to the above poster and encouraged him to just stand on the first step and play with cups and bottles and didn't ask him to do anymore. After a few times doing that he asked to get in the pool properly in dh's arms and same as above, he's loved it ever since. I'm not sure if it's related but also, he never wants to wear arm bands or his brother's float vest.

Oh and on holiday it finally occurred to us to get a rubber ring! He felt really safe in it compared to armbands.

When you say "doesn't enjoy", what actually happens? Toddler DD was very clingy but didn't scream her head off or anything that implied she loathed being there. Got over it eventually (now 12 & in a competitive club).

Thank you I will try just staying near the stairs with toys next time.

She doesn't scream she just doesn't look happy and whimpers a bit until we get her out. She's only in for about 30 mins max, shorter if she really isn't happy.

gentle persistance, me thinks. Good luck!

Thank you and thanks all for the advice!