Mom and Dad, you know that kids complain about everything! They are fickle – quickly switching likes and dislikes on a whim and doing about faces on choices that you think are solid.
So – even though your kid has acted thrilled about coming to swim lessons – they may come up with some interesting complaints just before time to leave for swimming lessons.
And bonus!! We even have great responses to these three common complaints!
You have lots of questions yourself, so when your kid comes up with one of these doozies and adds a few tears to boot, don’t be caught off-guard. Stay vigilant.
- Mommy, I don’t like my swim class! I don’t want to go!
The unknown is a huge factor in inspiring complaints in kids of all ages. It’s amazing what they can come up with – simply because they don’t know enough about something they’re getting ready to do. Often not “liking” their swim class is just another way they’re saying that they are just afraid of what is going to happen. Will I be able to do what the instructor asks? Will other kids be able to do everything and I won’t? These are common fears and ones that can invoke complaints like “I don’t like my swim class”.
There are lots of ways to prepare for your kid’s fear of the unknown. Visit the swim school and let the kid see the kind of class he/she would be taking, the activities they would be doing and how much fun the kids in the class are having. The promise of familiarity and fun almost always erases complaints!
- Mommy, I’m not comfortable in the pool! I don’t want to go!
Your child may not be comfortable until they learn to swim so this could be a repetitive complaint. When they figure out that they can stay above water and even swim on their own, they will be fine. Relate this to how you may have felt about something you were learning as a child. Roller skating, riding a bicycle, your own learn-to-swim experience. How did you feel when you had no confidence and feared the consequences of not being able to do whatever it is you’re learning. It’s likely that your kid feels just like this just before swim lessons
Kids adjust at different speeds in different ways and show how upset they are about things in different ways. Sometimes complaints are just uncertainty and doubt in themselves in disguise. Don’t give in to their complaints. They must know that swim lessons are not an option. Learning to swim is something they must do for their own safety. When they know that it’s simply going to happen, kids usually just do it. If they think actually have a say in the matter, they will complain and rebel.
Swim instructors have specific techniques for helping kids to build confidence. So truly, the best way to help them overcome this is to continue to bring them to swim lessons.
- Mommy, I’m afraid of the water!
Beginning to take swimming lessons is a time of great uncertainty for kids. But there is no reason for you to worry about them.
Little Otter’s instructors are highly qualified, love teaching, love swimming and love the water. There is no better person for helping your child overcome a fear of the water or swimming. Regardless of what they want you to believe, kids are very capable of doing difficult things. So sometimes you just have to let them get through the crying and complaining – regardless of their age – and accept their instructor’s help in overcoming their fears.
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