**I am pleased to be partnering with Goldfish Swim School to bring you this post. While they are providing lessons free of cost to me, all thoughts and comments are my own.**
Although Spring is just starting to show up here in Michigan (we had a few inches of snow on the ground just last week), my mind is already starting to wander to Summer. In particular, heading Up North for vacation. For those of you unfamiliar with the term “Up North” it’s what us Michiganders say when we head to a cottage or go camping in the northern part Michigan, or in the Upper Peninsula. Let me tell you, there is nothing better than a week away by the lake. S’mores, swimming, and my favorite? Sweet family members who watch the girls so I can have time to myself. But, lets get back to the swimming.
Now that Annabelle and Autumn are both older, I have a feeling they are going to want to go in the lake, or swim in the pool more often this summer. While an adult will be with them at all times I still want them to have swimming skills, and understand water safety. These are things that won’t happen overnight. They take practice. Lots. of. practice. When Annabelle started lessons at Goldfish Swim School in November, she pretty much had a death grip on her teacher, and had no desire to get her face wet.
But now? She will actually pull and kick towards her teacher, and she will put her face in the water. Her teacher works so hard with her, and is so patient with Annabelle. I don’t ever feel like he is pressuring her to do thing she isn’t ready to do yet. Instead, he supports and encourages her, and it is working great. It’s great seeing all the progress she has made, and watch her become more confident in her skills.
Like I said, getting to this point took time, which is why I am glad that we started lessons in November. By the time summer rolls around, I’m sure she will have made even more progress. I can’t wait to spend time in the pool with her!
As for Autumn?
She love the water. When we start getting our suits on before we leave for class she gets soooo excited. Her favorite part of class? When I dip her underwater, or when water is poured on head. Even though she’s still young, I love that she is still learning important water safety skills in her classes. She too, has improved over our course of time. She can now hang on to the wall for brief periods of time, and has started to climb out of the pool on her own. She’s not quite there yet, but I have a feeling she will be soon, and how amazing is that?!
When summer rolls around I have confidence that my girls will be ready to take on the pool and lake with confidence (and with adult supervision at all times, and flotation devices when appropriate).
What about you? Do your kids take swim lessons? If not, what is stopping you? Plus, if you are looking for somewhere to go, see if there is a Goldfish Swim School by you (they aren’t just in Michigan).