Navigating Jules' Swimming Journey: From Tears to Triumph

Jules has always loved the water, her excitement for swim classes at Goldfish Swim School was palpable until she turned two. This milestone meant transitioning from parent-accompanied classes to independent group lessons, a shift that proved to be much more challenging than we anticipated.

Jules enjoying the boat with dad

The Goldfish Experience:

• Early Joy: Jules was the epitome of joy in water, her laughter and splashes filled the pool during our sessions together at Goldfish Swim School.

  
  

• The Big Change: At two years old, the expectation was for her to swim independently in a group. However, this transition was met with resistance. For a month, our once happy swimmer turned into a bundle of tears, screaming through each 25-minute class.

  
  

• Emotional and Financial Toll: Watching Jules in distress was heart-wrenching, not to mention the cost of paying for classes where she was learning nothing due to her emotional state.

The Search for a Solution:

• Re-evaluating Options: We were at a crossroads - continue with Goldfish, hoping she'd eventually adjust, or explore other swim schools. Goldfish suggested perseverance, but something told me there might be a better fit for Jules.

  
  

• Past Experiences: Remembering our experience with Madi at Swim Kids, where classes were notably shorter but one-on-one, I reconsidered this option. Although the brevity of the classes was initially a drawback, the personalized attention might be what Jules needed.

The Switch to Swim Kids:

• A Black Friday Opportunity: An email offering a discount on punch passes at Swim Kids was the nudge I needed. I saw this as a chance to give Jules the individual attention she might need to feel secure in her swimming lessons.

  
  

• Initial Struggles: Even with one-on-one classes, the first few weeks were tough. Jules still cried, and we hadn't yet found the right instructor for her.

  
  

• Finding the Right Fit: After trying out with four different instructors, we finally found someone Jules connected with. Booking her consistently with this teacher marked a turning point.

Jules learning to float

The Turnaround:

• From Tears to Smiles: With the right instructor, Jules' attitude towards swimming transformed. She began looking forward to her classes, her confidence in the water returning.

  
  

• Mother’s Intuition: I often wondered if it was just mother's intuition that led me to make this change. Whatever it was, I was relieved and grateful that Jules was back to loving swimming.

Jules' journey through swim school was not just about learning to swim but also about adapting to new environments and finding where she felt most comfortable. It taught us the importance of listening to our children's needs and sometimes, following our gut when traditional paths don't work. Jules is now thriving in her one-on-one lessons at Swim Kids, a testament to the power of personalized attention and the right teaching approach. This experience has been a lesson in patience, understanding, and the willingness to pivot when necessary for our child's happiness and development.