Hudson had his first week of swim lessons this week. We went every morning starting on Monday and each lesson was 30 minutes. The instructions asked that if your child was visibly upset then you should probably wait in the car or come back at the end of the lesson. I chose to wait in the car with the windows rolled down so I could hear Hudson if he got hysterical.
The worst part was the hand off when I gave Hudson over to his instructor every morning. But that’s normal. Kids always do better when their parents aren’t around. It was a private lesson and the parents were invited to take pictures and video on the last day of the lesson.
My pictures came out kind of fuzzy because my camera had a hard time adjusting going from the air conditioned car to the 90 degree humid outdoors.
So as soon as I walked into the pool area at the end of the lesson today Hudson saw me and lost it. Just boo-hooing. But his instructor just had him keep on with the lesson. His name was Coach Ryan and I asked him later if he ever got Hudson to smile. Ha! Hudson was just so serious at the end of every lesson as if he was saying, “Mom, thank goodness you’re here. I’m tired!”
This week he learned to hold his breath, how to float on his back, and learned how to kick and hold his arms out until he touched the wall.
He just looks so little in there. Every time I came to pick him up I nearly cried just looking at his little body doing so much in the water.
And guess what! At the end of today’s lesson, Coach Ryan was able to let go and Hudson kicked his way all the way to the wall on his own. Coach Ryan was close by so he could grab him if Hudson started to struggle, but I’m just so proud of how much progress he made this week! In the pictures you can see that Coach Ryan was holding Hudson’s head down. That’s to teach him to hold his breath and try to reinforce that it’s much easier to move yourself forward to the wall if you’re completely horizontal.
I think we’re going to try to do another week of lessons in a few weeks so Hudson can stay confident in the water and not forget everything he learned. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to try swim lessons with him this year, but I figured if there was someone who was teaching infants and toddlers how to swim, Hudson could definitely learn. And we’ve spent a few days at the pool already, so I’m eager to help him practice some of his “tricks” when he’s at the pool playing with us.
I love that he’s learning new things and especially love that he’s learning how to keep himself safe in the water. But it is so bittersweet watching him do such big boy things.
How exciting! I think it’s great that you signed him up for this. Like you said, if nothing else he will feel safe in the water and YOU will have a little more peace of mind when he is around it! Too cute 🙂
I had no idea that they could learn to swim at this age. I’m very impressed!
I’m such a big believer in getting kiddos in the water soon and teaching them to be safe. My parents did that with me, and although I’m not a great swimmer (I freaked out when my parents left me at swim team practice…and that lasted the ONE time. I was 10. I wish they would have made me stick it out!), I always loved the water and always knew how to swim because I learned so early on.
So proud of your little Hudson!
I didn’t learn to swim until I was 7 or 8. Way to go, Hudson!
Impressive! I need to get Evie in some lessons. Pediatrican told me to capitalize on her interest because it’s easier to do it now than at 4. That’s for sure!
This is awesome! Jackson is in swimming too, and while he’s totally comfortable in the water – he isn’t exactly swimming. I wish I could have found a class like this, I was really hoping for survival swimming lessons. It’s important to me that Jackson can swim to the edge if he were to ever fall in the water!
I love when parents teach even the little ones how to swim. My mom and Dad kinda self taught me to swim when I was teeny tiny and I totally think it led to my comfort in the water – although growing up at the beach doesn’t hurt either. Still I think it is so smart for little Hudson to learn this so young!
So smart to start him young! We did the same thing and this summer I have actually been able to bring a magazine or my kindle to the pool…H-E-A-V-E-N…keep it up!
Good job starting him early. I didn’t learn until I was around 10 and I’m still not confident in water and I’m 27! haha 🙂
That’s so exciting! I coach swim team, and I always feel bad for the older kids who are trying to learn to swim for the first time- it’s way harder for them! Looks like Hudson is gonna be swimming laps in no time : )
Aww! What a cutie. I love the last picture where he is kicking his foot up out of the water. Way to go little Hudson!
Those pictures are so stinking cute! He looks so big! I really had no idea that kiddos could learn to swim this early. You learn something new everyday!
Oh, look at Hudson! Such a big boy! That is so smart of you to send him now though- my brother and I both had infant swim classes (because of the pool at our house) and we never had any qualms about water or swimming as toddlers and children. Plus, it’s such a great thing to do safety wise.
Oh my goodness, Hudson is swimming?!?!?! I had no idea you could start them off that early. He looks like such a pro!
By the way, I absolutely love your mom. She’s so much fun and has been such a wonderful help to me.
Go Hudson!! I cannot believe he’s kicking like that!
Wow, what a fantastic little swimmer Hudson is!!! Too cute!
My mom had us in water babys when we were little and we loved it! As kids and now grownups, I’m so thankful we learned early and the water is my playground!
BTW: You’re such a brave mommy! I would be sitting in the car bawling my head off, even though I know it’s good for him! 🙂
I had no idea there was such a thing as swimming lessons for babies. Thats so cool. Do they have to be walking already to do it?
Little camera tip: if you are in a hurry, you can warm it up faster by putting your camera in a plastic bag and then straight in to a warm room/outside. The camera slowly warms up and the condensation can’t get to it.
YEAH! I absolutely believe in getting kids in the water at a young age. Seriously, I could swim before I would walk, thanks to my parents. Loved it so much I was certified in water safety instruction and then taught all the beginning swim classes at my country club. I so enjoyed getting the little ones and teaching them not to be scared of the water. Congratulations to Hudson (and to you!!). 🙂
Oh my goodness! Swimming is such a big boy thing to do. Way to go, Hudson!
I just love how when he sees you he just knows it’s you. Love that. Oooh little boys just keep growing on me more and more.
Wow. I taught lessons for 3 years and only ever did Mommy-and-Me classes with infants. I had no idea classes like this existed. Very cool, yay Hudson!
You’re exactly right, big milestones such as learning to swim are bittersweet. Hudson looks like he is doing great!
My parents were both college swimmers and lifeguards (as was I), and they taught me to swim at 9 months. I think it’s great to teach kids when they’re so little – they pick it right up, and it’s definitely safer for them. I had to promise my mom that once I have kids in a few years, she can teach them too 🙂
Oh my goodness… my heart dropped when I saw his little head being held under!!! I don’t know how you stood it, but it’s such a great thing for him to learn!! I really want to do something like that with Josiah, but I’m a little chicken!
The humidity makes those look like vintage photos from the 70’s!!! How cute!
I just couldn’t do this! You’re very brave for going ahead with lessons like this for Hudson (his head being held down is just too much for me!). Pool safety is so important, though!
Way to go Hudson! Hudson is so lucky to have sucha great mom & dad who are looking out for him. Learning to swim is one of the best things you can do for your kids.
I never knew they taught swim lessons this young. This had to have made your Momma hart proud. Such a big boy!!
Oh my goodness, look at him go! He looks so little and grown up all at the same time while swimming. I can’t imagine how seeing this made you feel. I think it’s such a wonderful idea to keep at the swimming later on this year so that he doesn’t forget any of his tricks. You must be so proud. 🙂
I had no idea they could learn that young! Very impressive Hudson!
That is so amazing! What a good little swimmer! 🙂
I was a professional swimmer and won many competive meets, and a certified teacher to teach swim lessons teaching kids for years and I have never heard of holding a child that young head underwater. Just looking at that instructor I can tell his ways are not professional and he could care less about your kid. Most doctors and certified instructors wouldn’t dream of doing lessons this way especially at this young age. Most of the time, they are mommy and me classes, when an instructor tells you to wait and not watch in the car, that is a clue that the instructor is not a professional who understands young children and their needs to be with mommy making them feel secure not scared to death. There is plenty of time for private lessons when a child is older like 3 or 4 and can understand more, until then I would suggest mommy and me classes. I only write to you at of deep concern when I saw this just browsing. Please don’t take offense, I am just thinking of the emotional well being of your child and I do have a lot of experience in teaching swimming to young children.
Can you email me the info on these classes? I would love to sign Heath up! bjjmonroe@gmail.com
just wanted to say WOW! he is really brave. That’s amazing that he can do that! I am sure it was really tough to leave him crying though. My toddler is starting mommy and me this wk and I am so excited!