Kids and swimming lessons

Yesterday, my little guy Xavier had his catch up swimming lesson. While we were away at Serena's for the school holidays he missed 2 swimming lessons. It's been nice to have him back in the water now that we're home. It makes it even nicer when the weather is so stinking hot. Xavier and I walk into town (well - I walk and he just sits there lazily in his pram) which takes 30mins. It's nice to get out, smell the flowers, hear the birds in the trees, and avoid all the crazy drivers in this town (sometimes easier said than done).

I was amazed when we go to the pool, Xavier just wanted to get down into the water. We had to wait for another baby class to finish before his started. By the time we got into the water and Xavier was happier - one of the school's was at the pool so we had to get out and move to a different spot in the pool. All this rearranging was too much to bear for Xavier and another little boy in the same class. Xavier just screamed and screamed until we got back into the water on the other side of the pool. He was so distraught, poor little boy. He was in such a great mood, he loved going under the water - not once crying or spluttering after drinking the water. He's improving so quickly and amazing me more and more at each lesson. It's crazy to think he's only had, maybe, 6 lessons in total so far.

Kailee has been doing swimming lessons since January this year and she's moving along fantastically. She's just moved up from her "Tadpoles" class and is now a "Frog". Considering at the start of the year, she wouldn't even put her face near the water to blow bubbles in the water, let along swim 3m with her face submerged. Now, she's doing so great - she happily swims 3m+ and is getting really good. She's so much more confident and having such an awesome time in the water. Kailee has another lesson this afternoon, and it's great to see her learning new things each lesson and thoroughly enjoying it.

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If there's something I think all kids need to learn, it's swimming. Personally, i can't swim myself and if i was in a situation where i needed saving, i'd maybe only just be able to save myself. I'd hate to know what would happen if my kids were in a bad situation - that's why i'm so persistant with them having swimming lessons. Although pricey for 2 kids to have lessons each week, i don't want them growing up avoiding pools, boats, the beach etc just in case something happened. You hear all too often about kids drowing in dams, backyard pools etc and i don't want my child to be yet another statistic. So, people... teach your kids to swim, teach your friends kids. The more children that know how to get themselves back to the edge of the pool after falling in, the less distraught parents there are, after having buried their own child. It's too heartbreaking to not take precautions :-)