With Greer being the 4th baby in our family, when she was born and at her Christening she was given money as gifts because quite honestly there was absolutely nothing she needed. As a result I was left with a bit of a dilemma- the effects of the credit crunch had meant that both Nairn & Erica’s child trust funds lost 20% of their value last year when we had scrimped and scraped to be able to top them up. I have a thing about people working hard for their money and giving it to my children – it was really important to me that these gifts were used well so putting it into Greer’s CTF was out of the question.
I decided that it would be better to invest her money in a different way and instead signed up to do a Waterbabies course of lessons starting in November when Greer was just six months old and was surprised to find she was one of the oldest babies there. I had heard of Waterbabies but wasn’t really too sure what it encompassed so imagine my horror and surprise when – on our first half hour lesson – I had to dunk my baby underwater! Our amazing instructor Shauna warned us all how our babies were likely to react and my inner sceptic scoffed, “Yeah right, there’s no way she knows how every baby will react” but in fact she was right. Greer looked like I’d waved a packet of chocolate buttons under her nose and pulled them away but within seconds she was back to her usual happy self. The weeks progressed and Greer was taught to react to a variety of verbal cues – my tiny baby was swimming underwater, holding on to the side of the pool with no support from me and floating on her back.
Enthused by Greer’s confidence we booked onto a second block and alas, we were struck by the wobbles – a phenomenon so common that Waterbabies have an information leaflet about it! – where Greer simply freaked out any time I tried to hand her over to our instructor for her underwater swims. It coincided with Greer’s I’m-not-talking-to-you-because-you’re-not-Mum phase which meant I barely put her down from February until June but the Waterbabies staff explained it’s a phase of development when babies suddenly realise that actually Mum can leave their side and usually coincides with learning to walk. We decided to take a break after Greer’s underwater shoot and we got to see her photograph last week. Look at my baby!
I have to admit that I did have a sharp intake of breath when I first considered the price of the course but having been party to the Waterbabies expertise I would – and indeed will, when Greer restarts her classes -pay it again. Her water confidence is well worth the money. I can’t recommend Waterbabies highly enough and my sole regret is that I didn’t do the classes with my other three! If you’re even considering it, definitely sign up because it’s been an invaluable experience for us.
Waterbabies in Scotland is run by Hugh & Ailsa Davidson and the office phone number is 0131 554 6682.
Posted under with the kids
This post was written by Vonnie on June 30, 2010
Aww the foto is fabulous! Can’t wait to get Amelia’s done
I’ve actually inquired about becoming an instructor – the pay is pretty damn good! x
How cool is that photo!! If I ever have children I will definately remember this! xx
My mother had a book called “Teach Your Baby To Swim” which I read a while before my teens. It disappeared, but I never forgot it. I put both my babies underwater in the bath with me and took my first to splash in the pool a lot, and she swam independently a full width just a day or two after her third birthday. I couldn’t give my second the same exposure to swimming but I hope to manage it for the third.
Sadly formal age-2-to-4 swimming lessons really damaged my first’s ability to swim but we learned from that mistake and have been child-led for the second one’s formal lessons. And the first is recovering nicely and regaining the ability she had before formal lessons started.
We did Waterbabies when Jamie was 4m old and it was great, I wish we could have continued onto further sessions but the cost was just too prohibitive! Great photo of Greer, she looks like she’s enjoying herself heaps
Vonnie that’s a wonderful photograph! Looking back I wish I had done this with my two. They both love the water and we are about to start ‘proper’ lessons for them. My daughter is painfully shy but says she wants to give lessons a go now.
I so love these water pics and wish I would have done them with my kids.
Oh fantastic!! We’re Waterbabies too, and have also just had our photoshoot. Hubs and I swear that paying for the course is some of the best money we’ve ever spent – my 1 and 2 year old LOVE it. That’s a gorgeous picture!!!
That’s a lovely photo
My little girl goes to waterbabies too. We went through quite a long phase where I thought she wasn’t enjoying it and I was considering stopping but we persevered and now I’m so glad we did – she’s 2 and a half and absolutely loves going now. She’s really coming on well and keeps trying to push me away even though she’s not quite ready to go it alone! Pricey but worth it if you can manage it.
Lovely picture , wish i had signed up when my little ones were that age.
Just waving hello from scotland while your enjoying yourself at Cybermummy , saw your tweet about being round the corner from Susan Mann and so am i
In EK also . Nice to come across another local blogger..oh my kids are also close in age now just turned 5 ,3 and 1 . Love having them all so close.
Well look forward to reading more of your blog, added you to my reader
Mini Mint used to go to Waterbabies – he LOVED it too. The price of the lessons didn’t seem too bad, but the price of the photoshoot and photos was ridiculous (I thought). He’s 5 now, and has lessons locally and is doing really well – and has inspired me to have lessons too, as I’m the only one in the family who can’t swim.
Scratch that – just friended you! Your friends are my friends. We’ve been floating in the same ether. How amazing. xxx
my baby has been part of the waterbabies experience since 6mths old. again when we started i was very surprised with the fact that luna was nearly the oldest. it has been the best thing i have ever done for her. at the mo we are going through a funny stage but have been reassured by our wonderful instructor that its because she can speak and say no. when i dunk her there is no reaction which is why i know things are going in the right direction. i’m expecting my second child in a week’s time and will definately do the same for him. recommend the course big time! also did the underwater shoot and photos are brill!!!!!