Both my boys have been going to the swimming pool since they were 4 weeks old. Teaching the boys water confidence and eventually to swim was really important to me and today witnessed a first for me letting the boys going swimming on their own.
Now when I say on their own, what I really mean is that I sat and watched from the sidelines, well the cafe with Cass from Diary of a Frugal Family. But the boys packed their own swimming kits, paid their entry, got themselves dressed and put their things into a locker.
I was not too concerned about them in the water as they are both pretty competent swimmers and have had lessons.
No it is the other aspects of letting them do this alone that had me quaking in my boots, leaving my boys to go this alone with the hope that they wouldn’t fight with each other and then once they had to get out, to be trusted to actually have a shower and not just stand under the water, but wash themselves and their hair. Get in to clean clothes, remember the pound from the locker and put everything in their bag.
These boys of mine are only eight and nine and I did wonder if this was far too much to expect of them. Was I being unrealistic in thinking that they were capable of doing this. However, this is what they wanted to do, so I sat on my hands, squashed down my concerns, had faith in them and waited.
Thankfully Cass was with me and knew how I was feeling as Master Frugal is the same age as the boys and she encouraged me to believe that letting them have this independence was a good things to do and what more it was in a safe and supervised environment.
You know what she was right. They managed, they even brought home everything that they took with them! What more Maxi even brushed his hair and Mini told me that he put his specs inside his shoe like I had taught him.
We all came away feeling really proud today. We all achieved something. I am giving these boys roots, so that they can grow wings. We are one more step to rising the men I want them to be.
Good for your boys. Our local swimming pool says 8 is the minimum age you can go swimming by yourself so it can’t be too young. However if I had been caught taking a quick snap of my kids at the swimming pool I would have been banned for life!
Fantastic! You must be so proud to be raising such sensible and mature boys. You are giving them the tools and self confidence that they will need as they move on to adulthood.
Well done the mads. Mine are not swimmers yet so wouldn’t be doing this yet. Have let them go across the road on their own so far. X
They did so well and my two said that they all had so much fun in the pool together and can’t wait to do it again x
Well done you and to the boys. It must be so difficult to loosen the apron strings, I know I am going to find that difficult x
Wow they are very grown up, my eldest has been before and I suppose my daughter is old enough now and responsible but I still have to go in with my little man. Be nice not to have to join them in the pool.
I am trying to teach mine a bit of independence – starting small and then getting more and more – well done on their achievement xx
That’s great they did all of that by themselves. I long for the day when mine will.
Wow! Well done them! You must be so proud.
Well done them!
It must be a great feeling knowing that they listen and learn and can actually put this knowledge to use.
I’m all for giving kids independence – Kitty and Ozzy have been getting more and more this summer and thriving on it!
I think it’s fab to give kids more independence! Well done them and so pleased you all came away feeling like you’d achieved something x