I've recently started thinking about the importance of my children learning to swim.
I'd like to concentrate on getting my eldest who is 4 in July lessons first and then start my youngest off next year.

I've looked into going with the local pools, but there is a waiting list a mile long and then they tell you when your lessons are.
I thought maybe a private teacher would be better as my littliest hobo does need a lot of one to one.

Do any of you have any experiences of swimming lessons with your kids that you are willing to share as I'm still not sure which way to go.

Thanks geeks
Ria x

My son turns five in July,he has a private lesson which last 30 mins every other week.

It costs £13.50 per session but it's worth it because he is doing well ... no arm bands

I went for yrs at my local swimming pool!! Was the best thing I ever did, I stopped training when I was 16 and still go once a week now.

Get them started young though!!

all mine go on a sat morning...have done since they where 4 ...its done them the world of good...my eldest now wants to go on and do her lifesavers.

I say do it.. xx

I didn't learn to swim till i was 8 then swam all the time even swam for my county. One of my daughters had lessons 12 in a group found this very frustrating ,will be having one to one with my other daughter feel she will do much better with more attention. It's what suits but do think it's a must for children to learn

The only swimming lessons i had were at school, i never got the hang of it and was terrified of the pool, on one of our lessons we had to jump into the deep part and retrieve something, i told my teacher i just couldn't do it but she thought she was clever and pushed me in, the daft cow had to jump in after me and save me, she wasn't happy as she was fully dressed, i wasn't happy as i nearly drowned.
I still cant swim to this day and thanks to her i don't go near swimming pools the thought of them scare me
You get proper lessons for your little ones hun, dont trust the schools

Funny to be reading this thread as I have just come back from taking my little bot to his 1st swimming lesson, he is 4 1/2. He was terrified of the water, but because I was not around he was fine! I was stood up on the balcony above the pool watching!!

He goes with the local swimming pool, and his name was on the list for 1 year. If you want to wait that long then imo it is very good, but if you want to do it sooner rather than later go private. Its worth it to have them swimming! My hubby cant swim at all, and wishes now that he could, hes gonna start having lessons soon aswell!!

This is just my opinion but yes I do think children should learn to swim.
I would hate for my children to end up in a situation where something tragic happens because they couldnt swim and it's also a very social thing that children do as they grow up in the summer holidays.

I think I'm going to go private because from what I can gather at least with our local pool you pay for terms and they teach you to a certain level for each term and earn a certificate.
For example the first level is water confidence: for this they splash about in the baby pool until the next term when they get taught something else which was also very basic

Now I'm not saying I want her thrown in and swimming within 10 weeks but for £55 a term it wouldnt be until about certificate 4 that they get to the proper basics of swimming.

Also I think my littlin wouldnt benefit from other children being there as she does like to have one on one in teaching situations or she can get a bit funny.

I've had an instructor recommended to me by a family member, I'm just waiting for her to call me back.

Now this is going back I remember going with my school and hating having to dive for that bloomin brick!

I'm not to sure our schools take them anymore, but in my day they didnt take you until you were about 8.

I agree with everyone else - let them have swimming lessons!

My three big lads could all swim at a very early age as my ex hubby was a strong swimmer and he taught them all. However, with the two littleuns, I have sent them to the local pool (Sam was just 5 and George just 2) and they love it! Like Becki's little boy, George (only 5 in March this year) can swim unaided in the deep end and it makes me really proud

Our local pool also does 1 2 1 lessons so perhaps you could look into that at your local pool!

Louise - check at your local pool and see if they teach adults - at ours they have three classes beginners, intermediate and advanced. (There are people of all ages and both sexes in all the lessons! I have done both the intermediate and advanced lessons and despite not really enjoying swimming before, I do now

Thanks for the advise snuggles and i know it sounds daft and pathetic but i have panic attacks if i get to close to the water, i don't even use the bath i always shower

What your teacher did to you was absolutely terrible and I am not surprised you have a morbid fear of the water now.

I am lucky in that I am a fairly strong swimmer but I still have a fear of the sea because it is such a powerful part of nature (not to mention the fish that are in it - scared stiff of them - LOL).

Maybe with some very sensitive and understanding coaching you may be able to swim one day hun.