I rang DH and his simple no BS response was "F**k the money, you're not taking her back, no way, we'll do it ourselves".
I feel horrible for her being put through that when it doesn't seem to be the norm. Poor wee sausage. I'm going to take her swimming on Monday - just the two of us, to make sure she's not completely traumatised. I hope this hasn't done any damage. DD is very sensitive and aware of her surroundings so fingers crossed she'll be ok - she loves swimming with me!
I found with DD that just by playing in the shallows of the toddler pool where she could sit was enough. Sing little songs like "wash your dirty hair, wash your dirty hair, rub and scrub and rub and scrub, wash your dirty hair" while flicking little bits of water onto her head from the top.
we sing ring a rosie and at the end I count 1 2 3 and make a big puffy face for DD and quickly dunk her but it has taken a while to get to that point.
We also sing humpty dumpty on the edge of the pool and I encourage her to jump in, not go under at first but its a trust thing. We also swim in the deep end of the toddler pool I hang on to her under the arms and go SWISSSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHH SWISSHHHHHHH and move her around, I try to make it as silly and as fun as I can.
Maybe start just bobbing in the water making a silly sound like bop bop bop and you bob along??
Just enjoy yourself don't be nervous or anxious as she will pick up on that and become more clingy.
DD has almost finished her first term of lessons and we are yet to dunk or even put face in the water. She is nearly 8.5 mths. I know some swim schools do just dunk them in, first class, but I'm not comfy with that idea either.
In our class we are teaching them the cues for going under the water, so you say "DD, are you ready? 1, 2, 3!" and on the "3" you do things like pour water over their head/face, or if you are 'swimming' them along on their tummy you dip them down towards the water to chin depth and up again. So basically they get used to the cues and on the "3" they should start to close their eyes (and hopefully mouth!) in anticipation. You can also do this in the bath, and the washing hair thing is a good idea too. And lots of nursery rhymes/singing as Nae suggested
Honestly MummaSue, lessons conducted by properly qualified instructors are a very good investment, please dont let this one bad school taint your idea of lessons and instructors!! Teaching your own kid to do things only works to a point, and its not about knowing or not knowing the drills to do (although I had to do extensive training to be qualified to teach) but more that once your child is settled in with a teacher they love, that teacher will push their capabilities further than a parent would. Im a pretty strict parent on my kids, I have never pussyfooted when it comes to getting my kids to do things, but they STILL do it better for their swim instructors than they do me and I DO have the training to teach them properly.
That said, PLEASE call the school back, ask for the manager or even owner (if its owner managed) and tell them if they dont refund your money because of your justified complain about their shoddy service you will call fair trading and report them. If they still have that disgusting attitude and refuse to help, A) tell them you'll be ensuring you tell everyone you know that they should NOT utilise their services, and B) actually call fair trading and report them. You can also try calling Swim Australia (if they are a reputable qualified swim school they will be registered with Swim Australia) or ASCTA (Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association) and ask them what you can do to make a complain to them about their clear disregard for childrens wellbeing.
All swim schools and teachers should be registered with Swim Australia and ASCTA. If they arent, walk away and find a service that is. If they are registered with them their training is undetaken by them, I had to do 30hrs training in the pool with a qualified instructor PLUS the SAT course PLUS a specific Aquababies training course. It has to be renewed every four years because obviously things can change the way we teach kids. My work actually keeps up with the latest research in swim teaching and adjusts it accordingly as needed. We have quarterly staff training and always have staff meetings before shift to get reminders about what we can and cant do as well as any other complaints or issues that have cropped up from parents or the bosses.
ETA - most swim schools Ive been to have a first lesson or two free policy so your not locked in incase the swim school does not suit your needs. I think its disgusting they charged you a full term, did not give you a free intro lesson and are now being horrible about your justified complaint. Shame on them.
Last edited by Freya; April 14th, 2011 at 11:34 AM.
Yeah, we sacked swimming lesson for exactly the same reason. Our DS is a water freak and lessons had him clinging to us screaming.
We come from a long line of water freaks, both DH and myself grew up in the pool, spent our summers on the beach and surfed.
We found our biggest issue with DS in the pool when we took him by ourselves was that his desire to be independant was causing him huge frustration. We caved and did something I really didnt want to do and bought him floaties.
This summer just gone, we spent most afternoons at the pool, DS (just turned 2) willingly jumps in the deep end, head under and all, can crawl on his tummy out of the pool, can jump in, head under and turn around to find the edge no worries, floats on his back, has me or hubby throw him in the air and dunk him ect.
Admittedly, he wears floaties the entire time, BUT,now we have a confident kid, who loves the water and TBH, without floatation devices, kids this young really struggle to be independant in water over their heads.
I would be more worried about having a child who is scared of water than going to formal lessons, especially if you or your hubby are happy to get in with them and play with them.
GL
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