We want to be confident as parents that our child is safe. Since our girls were toddlers, we’ve always made learning to swim a top priority for our family. I want to feel confident when our girls are playing in a small creek, fishing on a pier with Papa, kayaking, or hiking near a pond. We want to be able to safely explore with our girls and know that, if water is near, they are capable swimmers.
You’d think it is as easy as signing
your little one up for lessons, ha.
We’ve learned over the years nothing about parenting is ever easy. Below are 7 tips we’ve learned over the last five years about raising little fish:
1. Make swimming a novelty. Sign-up for lessons when trips to the beach and local pool start to dwindle. Your little one witll enjoy lessons more during a time of the year when they have less opportunity to swim socially.
2. Sign-up with a friend. Consider signing up for lessons with a friend. It will make the class more exciting for your child and the watching more enjoyable for you.
3. Make leaving for lessons positive. You don’t want to be stomping around the house looking for a suit yelling “we’re going to be late.” Pre-packing swim bags is a great way to reduce stress.
Let’s Lasso the Moon Tip: We keep ours swim bags in the laundry room. When a suit & towel come out of the dryer, they go right into the bag.
4. Be empathetic. Imagine coming home from work to have your spouse tell you that you “have” to go exercise. Even if your child enjoys lessons there may be days they don’t want to go. Be understanding.
Smile and in a loving voice say, “Oh honey, I understand, you’re not in the mood today. No problem. You can tell [insert teacher’s name] that you’ll be watching lessons with me instead of swimming.” We’ve done this multiple times with great success. Usually, once your child is in the environment they’ll be exited to participate.
5. Pack loose clothing for locker room. There is nothing worse than trying to get leggings or jeans on after lessons. We love wearing our Melissa & Doug Beeposh gear to the pool. It is warm, adorable and easy to get on & off. It is also wonderful if you a take late afternoon or evening lessons because you’re little one can pop right into bed.
6. Provide snacks afterward. Children burn a lot of energy in the pool. You’re drive home will be much smoother if you have snacks in the car. No need to get fancy, something as simple as a water bottle and pretzels or an apple is perfect.
7. Set-up a pool-play-date. Give your child a chance to practice what they’ve learned. Your little one is learning a lot of new skills.
Let’s Lasso the Moon Tip: Asking your child to pretend to be an instructor and give you a lesson is a great way to reinforce what they are learning. Plus, it’s a hoot.
Most of our girls’ true advancements happened when they had an opportunity to “play” at the pool in between lessons. Have fun going as a family or schedule something with another child. Plan to be in the pool at least an hour. The key is to give your child an adequate amount of time to feel comfortable in the water.
Has your child taken swimming lessons? Do you have any additional suggestions? Let’s chat below.
PS: Are you thinking, “Oh my! Tell me more about those adorable and crazy pants the girls are wearing“?
Stop by Melissa & Doug and check out their new Beeposh line.
The girls have pants and boots from the Hope and Razzle Beeposh lines:
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2012 Blog Ambassador Let’s Lasso the Moon is proud to be part of the 2012 Blog Ambassador program. We worked hard alongside Melissa & Doug to explore fun ways to keep children inquisitive and to promote classic creative play. Click here to read our full sponsorship disclosure.
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