Swimming lessons for your toddler

[Flynn]

We've never formally done swimming lessons but they were inexpensive, near our house, and a friend of mine joined with her son as well. Yesterday was our first lesson and we just had such a BLAST!!!!!

My daughter was kicking (she's been in a pool twice before this when she was 10 months old) like a champ and using her arms as if she really wanted to swim. She was so excited and amped, that when we got home, she took a three hour nap -- that's 90 minutes than usual for her!!!

For all the parents out there with older children or parents who recently has experienced this with their toddlers, I just thought I bring a warm memory to the board.

What a fun experience! I can't wait until next week!

PS
The one (very minor) downer was the fact that I had to pull out the maternity swimsuit! Yuck!!!

[houseelf]

Flynn,

This is fantastic news! It is neat to see what your child falls in love with. We have tried everything: skating, gymnastics, spanish, sports class, and t-ball. Even though neither of us were big swimmers, it seems to be our son's favorite activity by far and he begs for more. They really are their own little people, aren't they? We thought that if we exposed him to our loves, he would just love it too. Turns out that he has a mind of his own.

I *really* love the idea of swim classes for kids. This is one activity that is more than just fun. It can save their lives. All of my kids will take swim lessons until they are able to tread water and swim the length of the pool because we are absolute beach bums and go boating at my parents' cabin every summer.

Kelly

[SueC]

I so want to do swimming lessons with my kids this summer--I mean to do it every year but haven't been able to work it with dh's schedule (so he could watch the other child/children). I'm hoping it works out this year since my kids do seem to love the water.

[Rapunzel]

I've decided that my month in Texas during the August "dog-days" will be spent in a pool with my kids. I was a Red-Cross swim instructor years ago so I've taught kids as young as 3 to float, swim basic strokes, and dive. Because I know how to do this I have been absolutely loathe to pay the exorbitant fees that I would have to pay in order for my three older children to learn to swim. So, Jennifer the former swim-instructor's children can't swim yet!!! Hopefully that will change this August. And, hopefully the next place we move we will have better access to a pool or two.

Swimming really is so fun for kids! (And, it does wear them out!!).

Jennifer

Swim lessons are great as is swimming in general. I think it's the combo of the exercise in water (disguised by play) and the heat.
Even my no-way no-how not gonna nap daughter has been known to fall asleep after swimming.
And our pool sells popsicles. Woohoo!
Now I just have to find a good outdoor pool in Portland....