Flame away, but I think it is irresponsible parenting to not teach your kid how to swim by age 8 or so.
posted March 18th, 2012 at 9:06pm in Toddler
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- ditto 3-18-2012 9:06pm
- agree. Unless sn, no excuse. 3-18-2012 9:07pm +2 likes
- My SN dc has been in swim lessons since 5yo and I feel strongly about this too - it is a HUGE safety issue! 3-18-2012 9:08pm
- same, and he is a great swimmer, but I can see if a child has physical issues, it might not be possible. 3-18-2012 9:09pm
- For sure. For a child like that the chance that he would be near water lightly supervised is lower, too. 3-18-2012 9:10pm
- same, and he is a great swimmer, but I can see if a child has physical issues, it might not be possible. 3-18-2012 9:09pm
- My SN dc has been in swim lessons since 5yo and I feel strongly about this too - it is a HUGE safety issue! 3-18-2012 9:08pm
- thanks for the info 3-18-2012 9:07pm
- yep. they should also know how to ride a bike. 3-18-2012 9:07pm
- and tie shoes 3-18-2012 9:08pm
- i'm 39 and can't ride a bike :-/ 3-18-2012 9:13pm
- OK. 3-18-2012 9:07pm
- ditto 3-18-2012 9:07pm
- ideal to do so, but hardly irresponsible across the board 3-18-2012 9:07pm
- Ideal to do so by 6. By 8, come on. 3-18-2012 9:08pm
- generally speaking, I agree. But shit happens. 3-18-2012 9:07pm
- NP like what? like you're too lazy to take them to the Y once a week? it's only $8 a lesson at our Y. 3-18-2012 9:08pm
- People get sick, or unemployed and can't manage everything they might want to. 3-18-2012 9:09pm +1 like
- np or you're working two jobs and can't take time off to go even if you had the money. 3-18-2012 9:09pm
- exactly. life is often less than ideal. 3-18-2012 9:09pm
- DH didn't learn how to swim until college. He was never near the water, never had access to a pool, why would his mother prioritize it over food. 3-18-2012 9:10pm
- In most cases people can do it but just don't make it a priority. Or have a skittish kid and don't feel like dealing. 3-18-2012 9:11pm
- My kids both swim, but I've known enough people in enough difficult circumstances to understand why a lot of kids haven't learned. 3-18-2012 9:12pm
- well I grew up poor and still don't swim very well so I make time to spend that $8 a week to make sure it doesn't happen to my kids. 3-18-2012 9:11pm
- are you currently poor? 3-18-2012 9:12pm
- no. and so I make it a point to provide them with this life skill. it's one of our top priorities after school. Not stuff like tennis. 3-18-2012 9:13pm +2 likes
- right. so you are able to prioritize it. You're not choosing between school supplies or swimming. 3-18-2012 9:14pm
- correct. and I appreciate that we can do that. 3-18-2012 9:15pm
- i must have you confused with someone else above. 3-18-2012 9:16pm
- correct. and I appreciate that we can do that. 3-18-2012 9:15pm
- ^ was the reason you didn't learn becaus your mother was too lazy? 3-18-2012 9:15pm
- well since you have a computer and internet service, I think you can probably afford swim lessons at the Y. they have them on weekends too. and if you are working 7 days a weeka...(more) 3-18-2012 9:17pm and cannot take your kids, I'm sure someone is watching them, right? perhaps they can take them. Good luck.
- oh my kids swim competitively. I just understand that there are circumstances where it isn't that easy. 3-18-2012 9:19pm
- ^ but you didn't answer my question. Was your mother just lazy? 3-18-2012 9:20pm
- oh my kids swim competitively. I just understand that there are circumstances where it isn't that easy. 3-18-2012 9:19pm
- well since you have a computer and internet service, I think you can probably afford swim lessons at the Y. they have them on weekends too. and if you are working 7 days a weeka...(more) 3-18-2012 9:17pm
- right. so you are able to prioritize it. You're not choosing between school supplies or swimming. 3-18-2012 9:14pm
- no. and so I make it a point to provide them with this life skill. it's one of our top priorities after school. Not stuff like tennis. 3-18-2012 9:13pm +2 likes
- are you currently poor? 3-18-2012 9:12pm
- exactly. life is often less than ideal. 3-18-2012 9:09pm
- see my post below. Tough kid. Not sn. 3-18-2012 9:09pm
- right. and now he swims. 3-18-2012 9:10pm
- not length of pool. Hopefully this summer. :(. And he's really bright. 3-18-2012 9:11pm
- and you managed to get him swimming by 8. Good job, mama. 3-18-2012 9:11pm
- not length of pool. Yet. 3-18-2012 9:12pm
- right. and now he swims. 3-18-2012 9:10pm
- NP like what? like you're too lazy to take them to the Y once a week? it's only $8 a lesson at our Y. 3-18-2012 9:08pm
- totally. Who are these people? 3-18-2012 9:07pm
- seriously? My ds had soooo many lessons. Finally started at 7. Hell. He had to be ready. Shoving it down his throat didn't work. 3-18-2012 9:08pm
- ITA. 8 yo DD is still not a strong swimmer and we had her in weekly private lessons for a year. She has some sort of phobia even the teacher couldn't overcome. 3-18-2012 9:11pm
- yep. Is she bright? Ds is. 3-18-2012 9:12pm
- Np: wtf does being bright have to do with anything? I have two bright kids, both competitive swimmers. 3-18-2012 9:13pm
- Mine is an over thinker. Not saying bright kids don't swim. Jesus. Relax. 3-18-2012 9:15pm
- it's just weird to think they are related in any way 3-18-2012 9:16pm +1 like
- ok. Well, I think for him, it is the case. You sound über competitive. Gl. 3-18-2012 9:16pm
- Mom with 8 yo DD above and yes! she is definitely overthinking it. The teacher (who was good) couldn't believe he couldn't get her to let go of him. He was really getting...(more) 3-18-2012 9:16pm
- yep. Awful. Phobia. 3-18-2012 9:17pm
- it's just weird to think they are related in any way 3-18-2012 9:16pm +1 like
- Mine is an over thinker. Not saying bright kids don't swim. Jesus. Relax. 3-18-2012 9:15pm
- Np: wtf does being bright have to do with anything? I have two bright kids, both competitive swimmers. 3-18-2012 9:13pm
- This was me- I finally freaked out on my mom and refused lessons. 3-18-2012 9:14pm
- This is how DD is, too. She has major anxiety issues around it. 3-18-2012 9:15pm
- ds, too. 3-18-2012 9:15pm
- yes, I had a full out phobia- Id come up with excuses to sling to the side of the pool and get out early. It was bad... especially since we LIVED in the water. I got over it as...(more) 3-18-2012 9:19pm
- This is how DD is, too. She has major anxiety issues around it. 3-18-2012 9:15pm
- yep. Is she bright? Ds is. 3-18-2012 9:12pm
- ITA. 8 yo DD is still not a strong swimmer and we had her in weekly private lessons for a year. She has some sort of phobia even the teacher couldn't overcome. 3-18-2012 9:11pm
- seriously? My ds had soooo many lessons. Finally started at 7. Hell. He had to be ready. Shoving it down his throat didn't work. 3-18-2012 9:08pm
- we told our kids it's not optional. 3-18-2012 9:07pm
- i think most people will agree with that. 3-18-2012 9:07pm
- eh. 3-18-2012 9:07pm
- in many cases, it is about access/cost. our town offers free lessons, cullen jones is coming to town to do swim lessons for kids-this stuff helps 3-18-2012 9:07pm +1 like
- absolutely 100% 3-18-2012 9:08pm
- what about tying shoe? what about wiping tush? what about washing own hair? 3-18-2012 9:08pm
- None of those things can KILL YOU. 3-18-2012 9:08pm
- op: agree with all of those, but at least they are not life/death 3-18-2012 9:08pm
- i basically agree, but lots of city kids are rarely around water, unless $$$ 3-18-2012 9:08pm
- Which is why NYC for one offers free swim lessons in the summer. 3-18-2012 9:09pm
- np and has free pools in every 'hood 3-18-2012 9:10pm
- Yes. I have swum in many and they are very clean and nice and civilized, too. 3-18-2012 9:12pm
- np and has free pools in every 'hood 3-18-2012 9:10pm
- this. 3-18-2012 9:09pm
- there are public pools all over nyc. 3-18-2012 9:11pm
- yes, but sadly the rate of drowning deaths among african-american dcs is higher than among white dcs. 3-18-2012 9:12pm
- Which is why NYC for one offers free swim lessons in the summer. 3-18-2012 9:09pm
- I agree, but only for people in middle and upper classes. 3-18-2012 9:09pm
- yes. that said, i have an 8 y/o whom i have invested a LOT of time and $$ in trying to teach and he is not a strong swimmer. can he make his way across the pool? yes. is he a...(more) 3-18-2012 9:11pm
- ditto. Posted above. Took forever. And he wasn't ready until he was ready to let go and float. 3-18-2012 9:12pm
- treading water is all that's needed 3-18-2012 9:12pm
- That is okay. If he falls into a pool, he will not sink. That is the real issue. 3-18-2012 9:12pm
- This is my DD. I posted above. I'm not sure she could save herself in the water even and this is after a year of lessons. This post annoys me because it makes me feel like a bad...(more) 3-18-2012 9:14pm
- ignore. You are doing your best. 3-18-2012 9:16pm
- ITA 3-18-2012 9:12pm
- gf's ds drowned in a pool. so itttttttta. 3-18-2012 9:15pm
- Oh jesus 3-18-2012 9:15pm
- ^That is my nightmare 3-18-2012 9:16pm
- ditto 3-18-2012 9:16pm
- ^That is my nightmare 3-18-2012 9:16pm
- Oh jesus 3-18-2012 9:15pm
- Ita. Live in Miami and my cousins 10yo doesn't know how to swim! My cousin doesn't seem to think it's an issue. 3-18-2012 9:15pm
- op of that post and my ds still isn't a strong swimmer after 3 yrs of lessons. I don't feel comfortable sending him to a pool party without me 3-18-2012 9:19pm
- yup. my ds has had lessons for 5 years and i still don't feel comfortable either. 3-18-2012 9:19pm
- Well, I work with a man whose 5 yo DD, who was a very strong swimmer, died in their pool this summer. Her mom had walked away for a minute and her brothers were in the pool with...(more) 3-18-2012 9:23pm her. As if I wasn't neurotic enough, that scared the living shit out of me. I mean, all these moms on here who think they are being so responsible don't realize that even kids who know how to swim can drown in a second.
- That was one of the very saddest stories I have ever heard about. 3-18-2012 9:23pm
- was this the jersey shore mom? terrible. 3-18-2012 9:23pm
- Yes, that's them. I think about her every day. 3-18-2012 9:24pm
- do we know what happened? was she trapped under a float? not trying to be ghoulish, just trying to understand so i can protect dcs. 3-18-2012 9:26pm
- I don't know. I am not close enough to ask, but it's my best guess that that is what happened. She probably was under something and panicked. That's all it takes, a moment of...(more) 3-18-2012 9:29pm panic. And I read tons of articles afterwards about drowning and they said that there have been tons of instances where people (mainly kids) drown right in front of people, because they don't really look like they are drowning when they go down (you apparently do an instinctive climbing motion trying to get above water that looks somewhat intentional.) That's probably why her brothers didn't notice. So awful.
- so sad. friend's ds died while everyone's back was turned for a moment, too. 3-18-2012 9:30pm
- I don't know. I am not close enough to ask, but it's my best guess that that is what happened. She probably was under something and panicked. That's all it takes, a moment of...(more) 3-18-2012 9:29pm
- do we know what happened? was she trapped under a float? not trying to be ghoulish, just trying to understand so i can protect dcs. 3-18-2012 9:26pm
- Yes, that's them. I think about her every day. 3-18-2012 9:24pm
- You can be both, you know. Of course you work hard on giving your child good swimming skills but you still have to understand that drowning can be instant and you can never let...(more) 3-18-2012 9:24pm
- Well, I work with a man whose 5 yo DD, who was a very strong swimmer, died in their pool this summer. Her mom had walked away for a minute and her brothers were in the pool with...(more) 3-18-2012 9:23pm
- I'm the mom with the 8 yo DD and I won't send her to a summer camp that has trips to swimming pools and beaches. I'm too worried. Without enough supervision, it's so easy for a...(more) 3-18-2012 9:20pm
- yup. my ds has had lessons for 5 years and i still don't feel comfortable either. 3-18-2012 9:19pm