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Swimming drama

61 replies

momofbhoys · 20/08/2021 08:27

I have a 5.5 year old who is obsessed with swimming. Always has been desperate to get into water. He had loads of operations and was unable to go swimming until 4.5... then covid closed all the pools here

We are in Ireland and swim Ireland say that no instructors should be allowed in the water. The club I am part of are saying one adult per child for all swimming lessons. I have a second kid (3- not really interested in swimming). I can't find a single lesson at the weekend. I have found one place that will take him in the water because they say it is a guidance not a law... but only 1:1 and it is €35 for 30 mins, it is a 2 hour round trip. What would you do? I tried you tube but swimming is so hard to teach and he has too much confidence

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Dancingonmoonlight · 21/08/2021 11:53

We are due some speech therapy publicly but it never materialised

Definitely do this privately. The public system offers 6 substandard hours a year. It’s dismal. It should be removed and privatised immediately.

He is 5.5 now and has already completed Junior Infants? That’s very young. Can’t he repeat it?

User5827372728 · 22/08/2021 07:37

We waited 14 months for speech therapy, even pre covid and then when he finally got an appointment, it got withdrawn as he was now at school and he was on the early years waiting list….!!!

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momofbhoys · 22/08/2021 09:55

@Dancingonmoonlight

He is starting school in 2 weeks. He wouldn't have been ready last year. We went to some speech therapy, it worked well. He is pretty shy and I know he doesn't follow instructions well. We were told that was normal and he would catch up but it would take as much time as is needed. I do worry about him going into school and needing extra help and having to fight every step of the way.

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momofbhoys · 22/08/2021 09:58

Good news we got some swimming lessons for both of them. On a Wednesday at 4:30. The instructor is in the pool and I am poolside. He will be so happy and the younger guy won't feel left out!

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Dancingonmoonlight · 22/08/2021 10:53

Great. Where did you get them?
Btw what age is hour youngest?

Gibbonsgibbonsgibbons · 22/08/2021 12:51

@momofbhoys

Good news we got some swimming lessons for both of them. On a Wednesday at 4:30. The instructor is in the pool and I am poolside. He will be so happy and the younger guy won't feel left out!
Hurrah! I'm so excited for your boy being enveloped in water is such a joy & the full body resistance will improve his coordination/proprioception hugely.
Original poster
momofbhoys · 22/08/2021 18:35

@Dancingonmoonlight

Youngest will be 4 end of September.

There are a few places that do instructors in the water but they are usually members only places. The place I have them is a community pool. I'm a bit nervous to say who they are in case I get them in trouble with swim Ireland. They say they take guidance from swim Ireland but make their own exact judgement on feasibility of the advice.

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momofbhoys · 22/08/2021 18:36

@Gibbonsgibbonsgibbons

Such a kind comment

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momofbhoys · 22/08/2021 18:37

I wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone who has commented on this post, so kind and constructive for people they don't even know ❤️

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momofbhoys · 22/08/2021 18:41

@Bananarama21

momofbhoys get a woggle you can get them in places like bm home bargains make a motor boat get him walk first blowing bubbles. It's important they move in the water and can stand up when needed. Then get him sat on the side kicking up and down. You can then get him in the water hold onto the side arms stretched out and lift his legs up, you can put a woggle against his chest to help lift his legs up, progress further get him to blow bubbles and kick if he's confidence promote getting his face in. Once his happy with that get a woggle make a motor boat so there a gap for him to put his chin forward and get him to lift his legs up to kick if he needs to stop tell him to put his feet down. See how he gets on. If you feel his managing get him on to front holding the tops underneath his armpits like airplane wings, he's got keep his arms still chin forward on the waters and legs up. You can hold on the floats aswell if he's unsteady, if he's happy promote getting his face in the water. You might struggle teaching him though. I can't teach my 5 year old as he doesn't listen with me being his mum even though I'm a swimming teacher.
This was very useful, i am quoting it so if someone in any country has this issue they can use this advice.

DS tried out the Motor boat and aeroplane (great names!), I can really see how this will develop.

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Bananarama21 · 22/08/2021 19:24

Aw thats great to hear op. Smile

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