My son and I spend several months out of the year at my parents lake house in Northern Michigan…read more Summer is very busy with dogs, kids, and adults running in and out of the house all day long. With the lake and boat dock just 100 yards out the front door, it can be very challenging with little ones who aren't quite swimmers yet, but want so badly to be out with the bigger kids playing. You just can't predict when they will try and sneak out and play while you aren't paying attention.
For this reason, this will be our third year taking lessons with Vicki. I wanted our son to be able to SAVE HIMSELF if god forbid something happened, he got out, and fell off the dock, or whatever. I know firsthand that being a good swimmer has nothing to do with saving yourself, especially when you are panicking. In addition to all of the water rules my parents have had in place for the last 40 years, which everyone, kids and adults included, are required to follow, these lessons are just one more tool in our safety kit. My mother is always super impressed with his water skills at such a young age.
Vicki is great, and makes sure the parent knows what is happening. However, it is uncomfortable for some kids, and can be uncomfortable to watch at times. The kids are getting their face and head wet, they are learning to flip over and float on their backs, learning to be calm and breathe while floating on their back. Lessons are work, it is not a bunch of splashing around and fun. They are learning a new skill, which can be frustrating and uncomfortable.
From my experience, many of the kids really blossom and start to love lessons towards the end, and some, like my son, tolerate it but don't love it. Which is fine, it isn't about him loving it, it's about him instinctually knowing what to do if he falls in the lake while we aren't around. I'm hoping since he is three this year, he will enjoy lessons more, but even if he doesn't, oh well.
For my family, these lessons are the equivalent of wearing helmets and pads while playing sports, or sitting in your car seat in the car. Safety comes first, then the fun.
We can't recommend Vicki enough, she has squeezed us in for extra lessons when needed, and worked with us by testing him not only in his clothes when he falls in the water, but also helping us select and test life jackets, so we were able to select the one which allowed our son to utilize his self rescue skills. Since we are on a lake, making sure we had selected the most appropriate life jacket was critical.
Sign your kids up, you won't be sorry!
