2925 Swimming with a Toddler

Not something I had ever thought much about. But I got the opportunity to take my nephew swimming for the first time. He had been to the beach but never in a swimming pool. Plenty of paddling pools, because they are the best. I have always loved swimming, which I’m not terrible at. My sister isn’t a big fan of swimming, so it was that special thing I could do for my nephew.

I had no clue what his reaction was going to be. He might have taken one look at the pool and decided that wasn’t going to happen. The very first time I took him, he had just turned 2, I think. 

Oh my, it was so amazing. I got him ready; I got ready and when I got to the pool and looked, I did get a sudden feeling of “I am solely responsible for your life right now” which was a bit daunting. The pool was only a meter deep, so I was safe, but for him, I was his only way to stay above water. The only way I can think to describe his reaction was a monkey. I carried him into the pool (holding the handle don’t panic) but I thought if he saw me walk in, he would feel more comfortable.

The second he hit the water he wrapped around my arms and legs and just went into monkey mode. The first few minutes I wasn’t sure what to do with him, but we got into in the end, he was jumping off the side (into my arms), kicking his feet, I was throwing him up in the air, there was also a baby section with toys, so he got to have a go on that.

I thought I would also throw in some tips because yes, we did have a meltdown when we had to get out of the pool, yes, I did drop his onesie on the wet floor and yes, I did forget to take a spare nappy into the swimming centre with me. I had to get him ready super quick and run to the car, luckily, he didn’t have an accident!

So, my tips…

Take 3 towels. It is just easier. The first time we went, I got him dressed and dried first which is okay, but because you aren’t dry you have to be careful how you hold him and the clothes. The second time I started getting ready first but quickly discovered the poor guy was shivering so I reverted to him, but again trying to keep a toddler dry when you have wet hair and there are wet swimming costumes on the floor not the one. The third time, I took a third towel. And it just meant I had somewhere to put him to stay dry and knew. I could throw the costume to one side, and I didn’t have to try and keep everything on the bench with a fidget bum sitting on there.

Bribe/distract when you have to get out of the pool. Once I tried to just pick my nephew up and take him to the changing rooms, but he screamed the pool down. He wouldn’t let me get him dressed. I had to get myself dressed and scoop him up in the towel to get him to the car and dress him. So now, I start talking about lunch, and how we have to get ready for lunch, what he might eat, and the exciting buttons in the shower. (It’s worked so far).

I recommend wearing comfy loose-fitted clothes. Trying to put jeans on when it is hot and humid, and you potentially have slightly wet feet from the ground etc. Just not worth it. I plan to do nothing after I take him swimming, so I don’t have to get ready after. I just shove the hair in a bun, wear a nice hoodie and sorted. Remember to wear warm though, swimming is a lot of exercise, so you don’t want to get too cold after especially If you can’t or don’t dry your hair.

That’s my tips so far, let me know your tips if you have any.