Saturday, December 21, 2013

The Little Merman

Ayden turned 23 months today! This time next month we'll be wishing our baby a happy 2nd birthday.  I can't believe it...


We had a nice family day. We stocked up at the farmer's market since we haven't been able to make it every week. We came home for lunch and naps. Then we went to the YMCA for a swim. Ayden has always loved water but something has really clicked since we've started our new membership. He is so excited to go swimming, is so brave in the water and kicks his little feet as hard as he can while we glide him across the water.  On our way out we picked up a pamphlet with information on swim lessons.  The prices are affordable and we are considering trying out an 8 week session. For Ayden's age group the lessons are family based so we would be in the water with him so we'd be learning tips and tricks for teaching him to swim that we could continue after the lessons were over.

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I didn't learn to swim until I was 9 or so and taught myself after I had a scare in a pool.  Ever since, I always wanted to make sure my children were confident, and more importantly, safe in water from a very early age.  The only other issue to consider is our problem with hyper-scheduling our weekends.  His lessons would be on Saturday mornings when we are already spread pretty thin most of the time.  I suppose if we made time to swim this evening, we could just shift things around for 8 weeks and go in the morning instead...  It's always about finding and maintaining that balance, a never ending endeavor.

We got home around 5:30, had dinner around 6:30, got Ayden a bath and started our bedtime routine.  Things are going really well in that department and I do plan to share all about it once we know for sure everything is going to stick.  Our quality of sleep has definitely been improved the passed couple of nights so even if it doesn't stick, I'll call it a success!

Did you put your toddler in swim lessons?  Was it worth it?

~Sarah

Flashback!  Here's what we were up to one year ago today: "11 Months Old!"

2 comments:

  1. started our daughter in classes round 2ish after 3 years they could go in by themselves, she is now 9 years old and has continued going up and up the levels she is now only a few levels from the top and is a pro swimmer and diver, best thing you can do for your kids is teach them how to swim especially when you are near water like we are here in Australia with lots of pools and beaches and lakes around. he will love it too, learning young, he will be a little fish before no time. xx

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  2. Hi Sarah! I've never commented before but I had to on this post! I've taught swim lessons for the Y for several years (actually, I'm pretty sure I worked at your Y based on your description and the pictures from 2006-2008). The SKIP program is basically a water introduction. There will be lots of songs and games and the like, but not a lot of actual learning how to swim. It sounds like you are doing a great job of this already. My advice would be to keep doing what you are doing, and work on things like blowing bubbles, having Ayden put his face in the water and simple floating. Then, right before he turns three, enroll him in a Perch class. Usually what we would do is if a child takes Perch and does really well, he/she can skip the Pike level and go right into the Eel level once they are old enough. Hope this is helpful. If your Y is the one that I think it is, they have an excellent swimming program. (or at least they used to!)

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