Swim Classes for Kids and the Benefits

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on swim classes for kids.  While most people know how to swim, few people think about actually getting swimming lessons. That’s especially true of anybody with kids, as they often overlook the opportunity. Either that, or they decide to teach their kids themselves.

Though that’s an understandable approach, it may not be the best one. Instead, you could be better off getting your children swimming lessons. You might be wondering why you should shell out the money for classes rather than teaching them.

Aside from saving you some time – you can do other things as your kid learns – there can be quite a few different reasons to get swim classes.

 

 

 

swim classes for kids

 

 

Swim Classes for Kids and Benefits

 

Swim Classes Teach Water Safety

While swim classes are primarily focused on learning to swim, they also teach water safety. Many aspects of this can be obvious, but they wouldn’t be to a child. As a result, the lessons could provide  practical benefits that you may be aware of.

These water safety rules will stick with them through life, which will make them much safer around any body of water. That’ll provide a significant amount of peace of mind, both for you and your child. That could be one of the most positive benefits behind the swim classes, as your children’s safety is paramount.

 

Strengthen Your Lungs

One of the first things that any swimmer learns is how to control their breath. They’ll obviously need to hold their breath for periods of time. While this might be short at first, it will be longer and longer over time.

The practice is proven to strengthen your lungs and increase your lung capacity. That’s true regardless of what age you are. As a child, that could have much larger benefits over time. Once this happens, there should be more physical benefits, such as allowing blood and oxygen to pump more efficiently.

 

 

swim classes for kids

 

 

Reduces Stress

What many people don’t realize is that swimming can help reduce stress and anxiety. While that’s primarily true of recreational swimming, it’s also true with classes. When they’re learning, they’ll be in a supportive environment with like-minded individuals.

That support could also help reduce stress. Once they’ve learned how to swim, your child will then be able to take full advantage of the skill. They’ll be much more active, which typically makes people healthier and happier.

Couple that with the other advantages associated with regular exercise, and your child’s physical and mental health should see positive benefits.

 

Last, there can be quite a few other reasons why you should put your kids in swim classes rather than teaching them yourself. The end result will naturally be the same, but professional classes will do so in a much more efficient and disciplined manner.

Classes could also mean that your child will be a much stronger swimmer. You can still bond by swimming with them recreationally and encourage them to keep learning. Like many other things, however, teaching them might be best left to the professionals.

What’s stopping you from signing them up? It’s almost guaranteed to be an enjoyable experience for everyone.

14 Reasons You Need To Get An Outdoor Pool!

Swimming is something we all do as kids, and then as we get older a lot of us start to lose interest.  It’s not because it’s not fun, but as we get older we have other things to do.  We get hang-ups about our bodies in a way that few kids really do. That’s not to say it never happens to kids; regrettably it does.  But whatever age we are, we can all benefit from time spent in the pool.  Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on why families should purchase backyard pools.   

 

 

backyard pools

 

If you’ve already researched the pros of  backyard pools or just starting to get more use from the one you have, you’re on the right track.  There are so many reasons having a backyard pool is an excellent choice.  The reasons range from the obvious health benefits to many others.  Although it’s not cheap, the benefits will pay for itself.  Particularly if you have the climate to use it year round.

 

Swimming Is Some Of The Best Exercise You’ll Get

 

backyard pools

 

A lot of people talk about swimming as a low-impact form of exercise,  and in some ways it is.  It is an excellent way of getting aerobic and cardio exercise, which everyone needs.  It doesn’t put much pressure on muscles, and if you struggle with endurance time in the pool is a great way to build it.

 

Getting In The Pool Is A Great Way To Cool Off

It’s a fact that, globally, temperatures are on the rise, and are staying higher for longer periods of time.  It is also a fact that heatwaves are happening more often.  Heatwaves has its benefits for those who love the sun. However, anyone who says that it’s not occasionally uncomfortable is either untruthful or some sort of lizard. We’re not built to sustain heat indefinitely. Getting in the pool is heaven on hot, steamy days like these.

 

Swimming Is A Communal Form Of Exercise

 

backyard pools

Going to the gym has its place. We all benefit from running machines and exercise bikes, but it’s not for everyone. It’s certainly not “fun for all the family.” You don’t really get to have a fun chat as you’re pounding the treadmill. That’s not least because you fear being sling-shot into the weights machines if you pause for a moment.  Using backyard pools at your leisure makes it a family thing.

 

Helps In Recovering From An Injury 

As mentioned earlier, swimming in a pool is a low-impact form of exercise from a muscular point of view.  Doctors recommend backyard pools as a part of an injury recovery regime. To get back in shape you need to exercise.  With the support of the water, you can do it without over-exerting and aggravating the injury.  It will also strengthen muscle generally.

 

Perfect For Parties

Backyard pools can be an excellent venue. For grown-ups, they allow an outdoor space to enjoy good music, food, drinks and a place to cool off in summer. For kids’ parties where games are an absolute essential, they provide a great setting.  From the classics like Marco Polo, to Noodle Jousting and Octopus, all are a lot of fun and easy to monitor.

 

Enhances An Outdoor Space

When you move into a house, most of your time is spent thinking about the indoors. But the outdoor areas are in many ways just as important. A well-tended garden can make a house feel more like a home and increase its resale value. A pool and outdoor seating area can make it special too. When friends and family come to visit, you can be sure that they will appreciate the chance for a dip.

Each Pool Can Be Customized To Great Effect

It could never be said that when you’ve seen one pool, you’ve seen them all. What you do with your pool is up to you, but you can add a waterfalls,  put in a springboard or set up a hot tub and that’s just to start.  Even a waterslide is a possibility; however, unless you have a lot of disposable income you’re not going to challenge the theme parks.

 

Out Of The Pool Onto The Patio

Setting up a seated area on the patio is the perfect way to follow up a relaxing time in the pool. After you’ve had a bit of a workout and swum until you can swim no more – or if you feel like a change of scene – a few patio heaters will make a big difference. You’ve worked those muscles and now they deserve a rest. Get a towel wrapped around you and let the heat radiate and soothe any aches away.
As the temperatures drop and you’re still in your swimming costume, warming up by the pool is essential. Next to a heater on a comfortable patio chair, you can relax with a drink and carry on conversations begun in the pool. It’s worth checking sites like Hot Tub Advice to get a bit more information on what will suit you.

 

It’s An Incredible Way To De-stress

In the course of a day’s work, the stresses and strains can build up to the point where you feel like one big knot of frustration. Getting in a swimming pool and swimming or just floating for a bit can be a wonderful way of letting those stresses melt away. Think of it as being a big, gentle massage that encompasses your whole body. Can you think of anything more relaxing than that?

 

Strengthening Athletic Abilities 

 

summer activities, summer family activities

 

A child can demonstrate a talent for swimming or diving in the swimming pool. Maybe they’ll be great at water polo or synchronized swimming.  In any case, the chance to practice at home is something that could make things much easier for them.

 

Any Day Can Be A Holiday

Your familiar with the idea of a “staycation.” You do all the things that you would do on holiday (try driving a few towns over for some sight-seeing). The kicker is that you don’t have the travel costs to worry about. So if you like to spend a holiday by the pool, now you can do it at home. Weather permitting of course!

 

It’s A Great Convincer For Playdates

Let’s be honest, you’ll see your kids more.  Inviting their friends over to swim and play is a great way to get to know other parents too.  You can use the time for adult interaction. Having your own pool is a pretty useful card to have in the deck.  Kids like swimming and it’s good for them – and it could be good for your kid’s social life too.

 

A Pool Ups Your Resale Value

Having a pool in your garden compared to not having one can up the resale value on your property by 5% or more. If your house is currently valued at $500,000, you could add another $25,000 on to that.  The more you add around it – pool house, gas grill, diving boards – the more the value can rise. You’ll be sorry to leave it, but you’ll have the funds to do it again!

 

Do You Hate Bedtime? Not Anymore!

Having a backyard pool means that your kids are getting exercise all summer long.  You may not realize the full benefit that this gives you until a couple of weeks into the summer. At some point, you realize that you haven’t had to shout at your kids to go to bed.  They have tired themselves out swimming all day.  A sound night’s sleep is good for them and for you.

The initial outlay of a backyard pool may seem excessive; however, the fourteen reasons above is worth it.

When it comes down to it how would you like to spend the sunny days of the year?  With a meal and a drink, and relaxing swim, and than looking over the sparkling water of your backyard pool sounds like a winner to me. You’ll never regret making the choice to get a swimming pool.

Leave us a comment and let us know what your dream pool looks like.

10 Beach Safety Tips

Kids often get excited and need reminders on beach safety.  Being safe in and around the water is a must. Although my granddaughter doesn’t like the ocean, she heads toward the water to fill her bucket for sand castles.  As a result, we need to have somebody watching the water and somebody watching her on the beach.   My grandson on the other hand will stay in the water until he shrivels up. We need someone to stay in the water with him until it’s time to take a break.   Today, we are sharing parenting tips on beach safety. 
beach safety, children's beach safety tips

 

I’ve put together a few rules that we use for beach safety. Our beach safety tips will help keep your child out of harm’s way in and out of the water.  As parents it is our responsibility to keep our children safe:

  • Never enter the water alone  –  Make sure children understand that they should only enter the water with an adult or older child.
  • Set limits – Provide an area that they are not to wade past while in the ocean.
  • Observe your surroundings  – Teach them to look for family or landmarks when they want to come out of the water.
  • Train your children to listen – Teach them to listen for the lifeguard’s whistle when they’re in the water and to follow instructions from the lifeguard and family.
  • Stay Hydrated  – They should understand the importance of taking a break from the water to rest and drink plenty of fluids. Offer water, fruit flavored waters or Gatorade instead of soda or sugary fruit drinks.
  • Apply Sunscreen – Make sure everyone is adequately covered in sunscreen. My dermatologist recommended Neutrogena. A beach hat is a good idea too.
  • Explain Signs – Make sure kids understand safety signs posted around the beach.
  • Provide Adult Supervision –  Make sure an adult is always present to oversee the children in the water and on the beach.
  • Re-enforce Stranger Danger  – The beach is full of people, so go over the rules of interacting with strangers, especially adults.
  • Provide a Shaded Area – Set up an umbrella so everyone can rest in the shade and allow the body to cool down and refuel.

What rules do you have for the beach?  We would love to add them to our list.  You may also like:  15 Summer Activities For Kids

6 Things To Do Go In Atlanta for the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game






Heading to Atlanta to watch the West Virginia Mountaineers play the Alabama Crimson Tide game this upcoming week-end.  Kick off is Saturday, August 30, at 3:30 PM at the Georgia Dome.  While you’re there, here’s a list of Things To Do.  If you can’t fit all of them into your schedule, check out a few:




6 Things to Do in Atlanta for the Chick-fil-A Kickoff
Game

1)     
Fan Days at the World of Coca-Cola are August 26 through September
2. Buy your tickets here
and receive $3 off general admission to get a glimpse inside the world’s #1
brand and see what the fizz is all about.
2)      As a
football fan, how could you not visit the new College Football Hall of
Fame? The attraction is going all out for its Grand Opening on August 23.
Celebrate the rich history of the game and make memories of your own with
historic and contemporary artifacts, interactive multimedia displays, children’s
activities and more.
3)      For
some free fun, grab your fellow fans and hit up Tailgate Town on the West
Plaza. How can you resist food sampling, games, giveaways and a BBQ cook-off?
4)      If
you want to take your tailgating up a notch, purchase tickets for the
Mountaineer Madness Team Tailgate at the Georgia World Congress Center.
Yes, that’s an air-conditioned tailgate featuring pregame entertainment and a
delicious buffet.
5)     
Refresh yourself with an ice-cold drink and cheer on your favorite team
at its Pep Rally when you visit the FanZone presented by Coca-Cola Zero.
Don’t miss out on the dozens of interactive games and sponsor
attractions.
6)     
While walking down the Atlanta streets, it’s likely that you’ll find
yourself in the middle of a science-fiction scene. That’s because Dragon
Con
is returning to Atlanta this Labor Day weekend. For
some fantastical fun – and lots of Storm Troopers – check out the annual
parade.



This list was provided by The World of Coca-Cola.  To celebrate the Chick-fil-A Kickoff, Mother 2 Mother will be giving away 4 tickets to The World of Coca-Cola on Saturday.  Be sure to return and enter this awesome give away.    




My Little Diva – Beach Fail

My Myrtle Beach vacation is over.  I could use another one, this time without the kids. They require energy, lots of energy. The weather was beautiful for the majority of the week, we had a great time.  


Things didn’t go as we had hoped with my little diva. She’s modeling her new bikini in the photos above, but that is as much use as she got out of it.  In a previous post, I talked about how Zarriah wasn’t fond of the beach. Well, she’s still not fond of the beach.  We attempted to take her to the beach twice during our vacation.  The first day, she lasted about 30 minutes. She decided that she wasn’t interested in building sand castles, she rather munch on chips.  After a few handfuls, she wanted to return to the condo.  Thank goodness her grandfather was there, he’s not fond of the beach either so it worked out.  He was happy to babysit while we enjoyed the beach.  






The second day out we took her out in her new bikini.  It didn’t end well, she said a fly got on her sandcastle and on her belly.  She wasn’t having any part of it.  She insisted that she be returned to cleanliness and she wanted the bikini off immediately.  What’s a diva to do?  This one decided to eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and watch cartoon network.  She was perfectly content, and later decided to take a nap.  After all a girl needs her beauty sleep.  


Needless to say the beach is not working out with this diva.  We’re looking at the Disney cruise for next year’s vacation.  Do you have a diva?  How do you handle yours?