Encouragement to go to swimming lessons

[Chioni]

Hello everyone
I wonder if you can help? DS, 6 throws tantrums when its time to go for swimming lessons. But when we get there, he is happy and enjoys the lessons. He loves being at home and playing in his own world and hates leaving home for anything else.
I would like him to continue his lessons and wondered if anyone had any suggestions that could encorage him to leave home without the kicking.

He does this for other trips as well, suhc as going to visit friends or days out. He fight to get into the car and probably cry the whole way there bt once we get there he has a good time.

Any help welcome

Chocolate raisin as a reward for getting into the carseat nicely?
Sometimes works for ours, but usually ours get over it (no longer need the regular bribe) once they are used to it.

What's he doing right before the strop, is it more of a "I don't want to stop this fun activity I'm already doing" problem than a problem of what he's going to do later?

bribery

Do you give him 1 hour, half hour, 10 minute 5 minute and 1 minute warnings? Would this help him to be prepared, or would it just elongate the tantrum?

Hi Chioni.My DS1 is 5'he does have very mild Aspergers,and used to get really upset about "doing" anything.We started taking photos of him doing the things we wanted him to do,like swimming,playing in the park,being with friends etc.Then we would show him the photos before going,and it really helped him to remember having a good time.My childminder uses it too,with photos on her phone of him playing in certain places,then he runs to the door to go! Hope it helps,and don't worry,I'm not saying your wee man has Aspergers,LOL.

Thank you for your comments. I really appreciate it.
He is usually playing in the garden and has differnt thing, such as cities, jurassic park etc. We warn him from about an hour and he whines from then until the full on trantum before we go.
This week DH didnt take him because he could deal with it anymore and i felt that was the wring approach. If he didnt like swimming then, i would cacel the membership at our local pool. But he has such a good time when he is there.

Will try Bribery, Ice cream probably. Will also try the photo trick. Last week we went going rock climbing and he threw the same tantrum. But when we got there and he started paying in the wricks and climbing, he asked me if we could come day.
Thanks again for your help.

By the way its still chioni. It was my first post on mumsnet although i have been urking for a whlw now. I realised i had not created a created a a nickname. Now I have.