Continuing swim lessons - WDYT?

Brias3 wrote: I've had Ryan enrolled in swim class for the past four years now. He is now at the point where he can swim above water unassisted, will swim with his face underwater unassisted and can tread water pretty well in depth. He's very comfortable in the water and always has been. However, lately he's been really complaining about starting up the summer swim class again. The other day, it was to the point of near tears when we were discussing it and all he's had to say about it lately is how much he doesn't like it. Now, I'm not one to force my kids into activities but I'm not one to brush to the wayside an important skill class like swim lessons. On the other hand though, my husband has been saying that he thinks Ryan would be fine at this point not finishing the last two swim groups offered- the ones that teach diving and more deep end related activity. I'm having mixed feelings.

Honest opinions on this...should I make him continue? If I do, it would put him at two more years of class, if he continues his pattern of passing the level each session.

C&K*s Mommie replied: I would allow him to take a break- with the understanding that it is your wish for him to continue in the near future. He may not be able to make the most important of decisions on his own, but this may give him confidence that he will be able to make decisions that will be listened to one day. KWIM?

I would allow him to take a breather. JMO.

Congrats to him on his mastery of swimming, thus far.

punkeemunkee'smom replied: ITA with Nicole! I know that some people feel that you should not allow your child to quit anything but if he was that upset about class I would let him take a break. It is supposed to be fun right? I would not make him continue this 'fun' activity if he is suddenly opposed to it. Could something have happened in class to make him feel this way? Tay loved the water but went through a stage when she wanted NO water in her face and wanted to be held(in the pool) only-I was not too concerned-I think a healthy dose of fear in the water is a good thing...anyway she is over it now and I don't see any lasting effects from our break You never know what is going through a kid's mind and a reprieve may do him some good!

luvmykids replied:
ITA!

And I agree that letting him take a break isn't so bad, I think I truly would have ended up continuing a lot of things if I'd felt like I had some choice in the matter.

MommyToAshley replied: I would let him take a break, but I would probably probe a little more first as to why he doesn't want to take the class. Kids aren't always completely open unless you ask a few questions. I'd want to make sure he really didn't want to take the class and isn't quitting because something happened or there's a bully in his swim class or another issue that could be resolved. I'd hate to see him give up something he loves because of another kid. But, if he honestly just wants a break, I'd let him.

mom21kid2dogs replied: It sounds as though he already is a swimmer and that's great. You might point out that if he choses not to continue he might not have deep end privledges at the pool. That may or may not matter to him, likely depending on what his friends water abilities are. Does he have friends in swim class? That might encourage him more. If you or your husband are water proficient he can learn from you. I taught swimming lessons for years~there's no real magic to it, especially with water happy kids.
Personally, I wouldn't push it if he really doesn't want it. I'd outline what impact not going might have and let him chose. Why set it up for a two week battle when you don't have to?

TheOaf66 replied: I would not push him into it, if he has the basic skills that is fine. The rest he can learn as he goes, if you push he may not want to do it at all.

b&bsmom replied: I would not push him. He will just end up rebelling and it will be more of a hassle for you then it would be for him to go. Plus he might regresse and decide he doesn't want to swim at all. I would let him take a break, ask questions and find out why exactly he doesn't want to do it and then ask him about it again when it comes around for sign ups again. He may see that he really misses it and wants to go back.

That is JMHO

KUP

AlexsPajamaMama replied:
I agree

Brias3 replied: Thanks for the advice all. I think its unanimous- I'll let him take the break. Though I do fear this might put it into his head that he can keep putting it off next time I ask him, I don't want to force him into things. To my knowledge, nothing has happened in class to deter him from wanting to be there when I asked him about it, I think he's either just bored with it or genuinely interested in other things. I think I'll continue allowing him in the deep end of our home pool when he wants to, just for the continued practice of treading water, swimming independantly, etc. My husband and I are both confident swimmers so its not like I need to be concerned about lack of supervision in those areas of the pool I suppose.

Thanks again...looks like the fish will be on training hiatus!

holley79 replied: I would allow him to take a mini break. Maybe allow him to take something else for a little while. JMO. Maybe when you think he is ready to go back maybe it can be made into a family thing.

ETA: Just curious. Are the swim lessons so he may at some point participate on a swim team? I am a very avid swimmer and have been since I was an infant but it was all mommy teachings. KWIM? I also don't think he will give up on things just because you allow him to take a break from this one thing. I'm sure he is bored with it. I am looking at taking Annika to infant swim classes.

Brias3 replied:
No, not for swim team or anything, unless of course he was interested one day. It was mainly just so he has been taught swimming skills to the fullest. Seeing as though we expose the kids to water alot, with our backyard pool and beach trips, I want them to be 100% confident and comfortable in the water, including the deep end. I guess I was just kind of thinking he'd finish the last two levels offered at the Y swim program but oh well. It might be something he'll continue, if not- I do feel he has the basics down.

MommyToAshley replied:
If he only has two more levels to go, then it sounds like he has the basics and should be fine. Sounds like a break is a good idea if that's what he wants.

Ashley is taking her lessons at the Y too. She can swim 5 feet without assistance so she was moved up to the "Eels" this session.

Brias3 replied:
Awww, good for your little Eel! She's doing really well for her age