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Parenting

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Original poster

I know I am odd; I haven't ever taken DD swimming but I wondered if anyone else felt the same way as I do...

72 replies

CrushWithEyeliner · 27/05/2009 14:40

She is 2 and has been into the sea on holidays I have no problem with this. However, swimming pools just scare the hell out of me. The potential accidents, the germs, the noise . I just can't face it. Is it such a big deal?
I would like her to learn to swim - I am open to be convinced if anyone feels it is wrong to leave it till later....

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Original poster

CrushWithEyeliner · 27/05/2009 19:02

Thank you BetaD that is really sound advice

OP posts:

SoupDragon · 27/05/2009 19:06

All 3 of mine have been swimming since they were babies and it has been neither a waste of money & time nor has it been counter productive. I did it to avoid passing on my own dislike of water to them and it has also helped me overcome a lot of my hatred of being splashed etc.

Each to their own.

Paolosgirl · 27/05/2009 19:13

My eldest 2 had swimming lessons from babyhood - also agree it was a complete waste of time. Neither really learnt until they were about 7. DC3 is 2 and has been swimming once with Dh. I loathe swimming pools, private or council-run. They are always cold (or at least the air temp is), you're swimming in other people's urine and it's always such a palava getting changed and dressed again - someone always needs the loo, or the towel drops into a puddle on the floor, or it's crowded and you have to wait ages for a cubicle. I also find the whole idea of getting partially undressed and swimming around in front of a bunch of strangers really weird.

In answer to your OP (sorry, I digressed there ), don't worry - leaving it until she's older won't do her any harm at all.

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Pyrocanthus · 27/05/2009 19:41

I did what SoupDragon did, and it was fine, but I think I could have left it much later to start and still ended up with safe swimmers. Do it sometime though, in case Riven's ds is the exception rather than the rule.

nickytwotimes · 27/05/2009 19:45

I've only once taken nearly 3 yr old ds and

a) I can't be arsed with the faff
b) he refused to get in so it wasn't worth it.

We will go again when he is maybe 5 or something.

I didn't learn to swim till I was 9 but it didn't stop me being a fairly successful competitive swimmer in my yoof.

kif · 27/05/2009 19:48

Not much point at 2. I have enough trouble getting my 2 year old to listen to me on dry land, let alone near a pool.

3 or 4 ish - my Dd adored it. It was our special mummy daughter outing. Now she's 5 and going to classes.

LeninGrad · 27/05/2009 19:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Lovelyboy · 27/05/2009 19:53

I am exactely the same you are not odd.

GetOrfMoiLand · 27/05/2009 19:58

I grew up by the sea and spent most of my childhood on the beach, so learnt to swim in the sea.

Never took dd to the swimming pool until she was about 3, couldn't face all the chlorine nonsense whilst she was a baby. But she played in the sea also from a very young age and learnt to swim in the sea as well.

Think it is very important to learn to swim, DP can't swim at all much to his shame. But I don't think it is at all necessary to teach babies to swim until about school age, it's not as if you will be leaving them on their own near lage bodies of water.

SoupDragon · 27/05/2009 20:03

"it's not as if you will be leaving them on their own near lage bodies of water. "

Well, I was watching DD (2.6 then) in the paddling pool on holiday last summer when she got out and sprinted to the large pool and jumped in. I couldn't catch her but luckily could shout to DS2 who retrieved her safely. She thought it was superb fun . Luckily she was able to push herself up from the bottom of the pool and get another breath whilst he got to her. By this summer, she will be able to swim to the other side by herself.

You don't have to leave them alone for it to be dangerous.

notsoteenagemum · 27/05/2009 20:39

at people thinking the sea is less germy than a swimming pool.

I think water confidence is important and swimming is great fun.

I would definitely rather take my dc swimming than to soft play area, now they are germ ridden places.

Luvoneson · 27/05/2009 20:56

It is very important dd is confident around water for her safety (ie learn to swim). With respect I think you have this fear which if not careful could rub off on dd which you really dont want to happen. If you take dd to a pool to have lessons at some stage (which may I suggest sooner rather than later) you dont have to get in the pool with her. We belong to a private Health Club which is really nice and clean. I know what you mean about pools and germs though, our local council pool is rotten, changing rooms are grim. I have got to say I am more scared of the sea than a pool, at least you can see where you are treading.

Original poster

CrushWithEyeliner · 27/05/2009 21:01

The sea contains minerals which purify and heal the body. The high salt content acts as a kind of disinfectant, to me preferable to chlorine. Less irritating to the skin; quite the reverse actually.

OP posts:

Original poster

CrushWithEyeliner · 27/05/2009 21:02

The thing is I swim v well so is not a fear of water per se. More about the germs and faff. But I will do next year when she is older.

OP posts:

angelene · 27/05/2009 21:11

Taking DD swimming is one of my favourite things to do and I have done so since she was about 6 months - when it was much more hassle because I had to smear epaderm all over her before and after.

I have grown up in swimming (and I am very healthy despite all the germs in the pool ) and swam competitively for many years but I haven't got DD (3.7) into lessons because it's just too early for her. My sister is a former National finalist, British Universities swimming champion and top triathlete and didn't start properly learning until she was six.

I think enjoyment and confidence in the water is the most important thing. Formal learning and classes I wouldn't start until school really. The main problem I have is that we rarely go through the winter because of all the colds and coughs!

notsoteenagemum · 27/05/2009 21:44

The sea also contains rubbish and sewage.

I think it sounds quite lazy to say going swimming is too much faff, is having a bath too much faff?
I think you should find yourself a nice private pool, theres a lovely one at a hotel near me and have some fun.

paisleyleaf · 27/05/2009 21:54

We live on a riverbank and by the sea, so investing time and money into DD swimming has been a priority.
Babies often love that they can move around in water when they can't move so well yet on the floor.

For a while dd had lessons in a salt water pool - I think they're becoming more popular now, so might be worth looking out for a local one.

piscesmoon · 27/05/2009 21:57

'The sea contains minerals which purify and heal the body. The high salt content acts as a kind of disinfectant, to me preferable to chlorine. Less irritating to the skin; quite the reverse actually.'

Not according to the latest reports on British Beaches!

Paolosgirl · 27/05/2009 22:04

No, having a bath is not a faff, becuase I don't have to undress 3 kids and myself in a tiny cubicle, then gather up all the clothes and stuff then in a locker whilst keeping an eye on a 2 year old bolter, then swim in cold, urine infested water, then get 3 kids plus myself dressed and organised in a cold changing room, with the same 2 year old screaming and crying because he's hungry/cold/tired/fed up/not happy about being out of the water when I'm having a bath. Private pools are just as tedious.

Oh honestly

Nighbynight · 27/05/2009 22:38

I have never taken my children to a closed swimming pool either, and the youngest is 5.

We swim in an open air pool, or in rivers/lakes.

Pingpong · 27/05/2009 22:41

Angelene - I'm so with you on this (although I'm not a competitive or confident swimmer myself)
swimming is undoubtedly my favourite activity with my DD and enjoyment and confidence in the water is what it all about.
We do go to classes but they are fun with lots of singing and splashing.

lambanana · 27/05/2009 23:04

I detest the baths.

I have taken my dd's once - never again.

I do want them to learn to swim but I would rather wait till they are older and pay for them to have lessons.

MrsASHLEYBanjo · 27/05/2009 23:22

My eldest first went into a pool when she was 5, not with me and very nervous but enjoyed it. Then had swimming lessons and can swim like a fish now. Haven't been near a pool with my 4-year old - hate the places. I will get her signed up for lessons in the next year or so. So, no, you're not odd

bruffin · 28/05/2009 00:07

Mine have had lessons since they were babies and I don't regret a penny spent on it. The baby lessons were lovely with lots of fun games but it also about safety. little ones are taught to automatically turn to the side when they jump. Also one of the reasons children can drown in just a few inches of water is that they panic and inhale the water. In the lessons they are taught to hold their breath under the water and because they are not scared will not panic.

You can always tell the kids that have been taught by their parents, they don't know how to breathe, which makes a huge difference to stamina.

DS 13 for the first time since he was one is not having swimming lessons. He just passed his Bronze Medallion which is essential for him as he does a lot of water sports such as kayaking, also I hope it will be a good source of income when he gets older.

ipanemagirl · 28/05/2009 00:23

We always took ds (8)swimming so he'd be confident in the water and he did aquatots classes from around 1. but I could never get him into the popular classes when he was 5/6 so he's self taught and after joining a diving club he swims like a fish under water. But I wish I'd persisted with lessons as his stroke is not that efficient and I think he'd enjoy swimming even more with some variety of stroke. There still time but I think he's got some bad habits.

dd is 8 months and I've started taking her to an aquababies class even younger than my ds was. I'm glad I have because there are some things you can sort of teach them this young and she absolutely loves it and I can see how she's growing in confidence and familiarity with water. I'm lucky though that ds is at school; I know that if I had two little ones it would be nigh on impossible except maybe at week ends if you have childcare.

I think it's a huge gift to children for them to experience being in the water because it's so liberating and really uses their energy but I understand how hard it is particularly with toddlers.

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