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Author Topic:   young 'uns and swimming lessons
crabbypatty
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posted December 20, 2009 07:42 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for crabbypatty     Edit/Delete Message
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Dervish
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posted December 20, 2009 07:58 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Dervish     Edit/Delete Message
I can't think of anything really helpful to say.

But I can say that when I was 4, an Aunt of mine put a life vest on me and threw me as far out into the middle of a huge lake she could from a dock. This was her way of teaching me to swim.

I cried for I don't know how long, and the memory of the terror I felt at first is burned into my brain (it's a vivid memory to this day), but I eventually did calm down and start to experiment. And I think I'm an excellent swimmer today, with no real fear of water.

I would never recommend this method of teaching (especially as me and another cousin actually had those vests hold us upside down, our heads underwater, out of anyone's reach, though we both managed to kick our legs in the air hard enough to turn back over). But I'm just saying that as much as I recall it, I'm not SCARRED by it. And if I could bounce back from that fairly quickly (by 5, I was an avid swimmer), I'd think forced swimming lessons wouldn't be so bad a thing. Especially as it's a potentially life saving skill.

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Spanky Butler
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Posts: 623
From: Australia
Registered: Apr 2009

posted December 20, 2009 08:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Spanky Butler     Edit/Delete Message
It's a wise thing to do, if only for the fact that some people are lax in regards to pool fencing etc.

Here in Au it's almost mandatory that babies become acclimated to the water asap. Too many kids drown.

I think I have a link you might be interested in.

This is for us down under but it may have something for you

http://www.kidsalive.com.au/

http://www.swimaustralia.org.au/dsp_content.cfm?CAT_ID=25&CAT_PARENT=5

Good luck CP

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GypseeWind
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Posts: 3144
From: Dayton,Ohio USA
Registered: May 2009

posted December 21, 2009 02:56 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for GypseeWind     Edit/Delete Message
I think you should do it! Not only because swimming is a wonderful family activity, and great exercise, but for other reasons.

Helping a child get over a fear or anxiety is a great example for future things they may encounter in life.

Two out of three of my kids were scared as well. They clung to the sides in terror. I never gave them lessons, because I am a decent swimmer and knew my Mommy-ness was more comforting than an instructor with whom there would be no trust factor.

It wasn't easy, but SO worth it, because now that they are older they can partake in swim parties and such, enjoy boating with family and all those things without feeling left out.

My Aunt, she was a lil out there, back in the seventies, threw both her children in water as infants! I thought I would have a heart attack watching! Apparently she took a class that said, the natural survivial tendancies will kick in at that early age and the babies will go under, but remember somehow that they were once in water, and bob up. She was right. It was scary as heck, and of course, she was right there ready to jump in, but both my cousins were swimmin like the fishies by the time they could toddle, so maybe there is something to it.

I know this is a big fear. But our bodies are made of mostly water, I think the fear is sort of conditioned, and that innately we are supposed to be able to swim..

Just me two cents of course.

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blue moon
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From: U.K
Registered: Apr 2009

posted December 21, 2009 04:57 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for blue moon     Edit/Delete Message
Can't stand water in his eyes? Swimming goggles.

Personal experiences? My kids get: your mother is more stubborn so just give it up.

Swimming lessons at school might help. He will just have to get on with it.

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crabbypatty
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posted December 21, 2009 07:02 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for crabbypatty     Edit/Delete Message
thanks, guys. Nobody so far has said "just give it time" or "back off". That's good. My instincts might just be right. Kid needs a push. Will do!

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PeaceAngel
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posted December 21, 2009 07:17 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for PeaceAngel     Edit/Delete Message
You're viewing it through your own fears. I've done the same thing. I hesitated sending mine out of my own fears - as well as their reluctance. Now I just make them go. It's an important life skill - that could save their lives or those of others.

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bunnies
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Posts: 152
From: u.k
Registered: Apr 2009

posted December 21, 2009 07:48 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for bunnies     Edit/Delete Message
Find the right teacher and never give up.
I had one swimming lesson as a child, found it terrifying and said that I didn't want to go anymore....and that was it.
Biggest regret of my life.Wish my parents had continued.
Always felt I was missing out on something, on holidays watching other people fearlessly playing in the water whilst I clung like an idiot to the side (if I ever ventured near water).
So don't push...but don't stop. It will happen, probably if you take him with a friend and the competitive thing creeps in.

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blue moon
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Posts: 1340
From: U.K
Registered: Apr 2009

posted December 21, 2009 04:44 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for blue moon     Edit/Delete Message
When my children were very small we lived by the sea. See that crashing against the cliffs in winter flooding the coastal path to the next town, well, not liking water splashed in their eyes is really a secondary consideration. I say your instinct is right.

Too pushy? Sometimes little boys need pushing towards water, big boys too. There's a couple in my house would sit around stinking like beasts of the field without feminine guidance.


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