Swim class woes

SallyJean95

Ds just failed level 2. I am really pissed at the instructors. Today was the last class and they hand the letter with his marks to him to give to us. Then they ran onto the office. There has been absolutely no feedback that he was going to have to repeat the level. Dh went in and talked to them as to why they failed him and they said he wasn't comfortable in the deep water and clung to them. I already signed him up for level 3 to start in two weeks. Dh said that ds did everything they asked and did just as well as the other kids who passed and that we will be going to level 3 and it will happen even if we need to speak to a manager. Now I feel like we're being tiger parents. I guess my main beef is that the teachers never said anything to us and the mid session written progress report were all mets with a note to keep up the good work. What would you do? They suggested we get him more comfortable in the water but how the f do I do that? We work and can't take him to the pool at night, it's just not doable with our schedule.

somewhereincali

I wouldn't worry about it. Why does it matter if he goes to level 2 again?? I mean, if they give you problems about switching classes then I would complain but otherwise i don't see the big deal.
Unless you have plans for him to be an Olympic swimmer, classes are just for fun and getting comfortable with the water. It's not a competition. I would be more worried about water safety and trust the instructors that he needs some more time to get used to it.

Cherryblossoms07

I don't see the big deal either. I would trust the instructor.

I am in the exact opposite situation with DD. DD has been taking swimming lessons since 6 months. She is an excellent swimmer for her age. Her instructor says she should be in level 3, but that it will never be okayed by the manager because he is pretty strict on age guidelines. So, she is stuck in water babies for at least another year because they do water babies from 3-5 here (it was 6 months to 3 where we lived previously). Oh well. She still gets time in the water, is still learning something, and she is having fun.

TiffanyBerry

Swim class isn't generally the place where they are going to "warn you" far in advance that your child is "failing".  Because people don't really fail swim class.  Maybe they're ready to go to the next level, maybe not, but there's no expectation of moving up a level every class - many kids repeat the same class for a while.

I also think you are being tiger parents (and not in a good sense) about it, and may be hung up on the idea of him "failing".  At this age, swimming is about fun - success or failure isn't even a relevant concept.

dairygirl19

I'm with the pp. Why does this even bother you? He's young enough that it won't matter or will he notice that he's back in level 2.

You are way over thinking this. Who cares.

It's better to repeat when they're younger than to be stuck in something above their capabilities they can't handle.

Swimming lessons don't do levels until age 4 here but my 2 year old has been going to Mommy and Toddler classes Session 1 and Session 2 all fall. After Christmas I plan to repeat them both because she just loved it. What's the big deal?

Just ask if you can take the $ you paid for the next level and apply it back to level 2 again. Most places will.

erbear

I'd listen to the teachers. There are places to push your kid; in the water when they aren't 100% is not one of them IMO. I don't know how old your kid is, but anything under 4-5, swim lessons are purely for fun and to get used to the water.

luvmyducks

Oh Jesus. You are going to be "those" parents. Every time your kid isn't doing well at something, it will be someone else's fault. There's no way the instructor/teacher/boss is right and they are just big meanie heads picking on your son. ::smh::

ashiscute

SallyJean95 said:

Ds just failed level 2. I am really pissed at the instructors. Today was the last class and they hand the letter with his marks to him to give to us. Then they ran onto the office. There has been absolutely no feedback that he was going to have to repeat the level. Dh went in and talked to them as to why they failed him and they said he wasn't comfortable in the deep water and clung to them. I already signed him up for level 3 to start in two weeks. Dh said that ds did everything they asked and did just as well as the other kids who passed and that we will be going to level 3 and it will happen even if we need to speak to a manager. Now I feel like we're being tiger parents. I guess my main beef is that the teachers never said anything to us and the mid session written progress report were all mets with a note to keep up the good work. What would you do? They suggested we get him more comfortable in the water but how the f do I do that? We work and can't take him to the pool at night, it's just not doable with our schedule.

At the risk of sounding rather sarcastic I think the obvious answer to your question is that repeats the Level 2 class.  I'm also not quite sure what you're upset about.  Their reasons to repeat seem awfully fair.