I am new in the area and wanted to get going with swim lessons (my daughter is 20 months) as a way to have one scheduled activity per week. My daughter had a couple of series in Arizona and loved it. I have heard great things about Rose Bowl acquatics, but given how chilly it is right now I would really like to find an indoor place. We are in East Pasadena.
PS. If anhyone has any advise on how to stop very persistent finger sucking, I will gladly listen :)
Happy Holidays to everyone
We go to Water SAfe Swim school in Seal Beach, it's GREAT! My daughter is 18 months and floats on her own...
I've done both Australian swim school and Water Safe, aka Nova Swim school. Water is absolutely better and we love it! At Australian, they simply teach babies to "play" in the water and like it. They don't teach them to float or "survive". In Water safe, my 18 month old was floating on her back at her first private lession. She is 2 years 6 months and CAN TOTALLY SWIM! she is learning the back stroke, can dive to the bottom for dive sticks and can pull herself out of the pool. When she was barely 2, we were on vacation and people all around were watching and commenting on her skills. My 4 year old can do side breathing and is learning the breast stroke.
I highly recommend the privat lessions over group at that age. It's well worht the extra money for the individual attention!
If you feel like driving to the Valley, you can check out Australian Swim School on Tampa in Tarzana. They have all sorts of classes for babies - you or your husband go in the pool with the baby in a group - it always looked like the babies were having fun. We didn't start there until my son was 3 or 4 so parents didn't need to go in the water. They have lessons all day during the week and Saturdays.
For the finger sucking, my daughter did that for a long time. We tried those little infant scratch mittens with no luck, putting the bitter stuff on her finger nails didn't work either.
She only stopped when she had a bad cold and couldn't breath while sucking on her fingers.
Since you've just moved, I wouldn't worry about it for now. the sucking will give her comfort in new surroundings. After a while, try some big gloves or mittens.
The Rose Bowl is good, but don't overlook your local YMCA. All three of my kids went through the Y program. The instructors have to go through a good training schedule. Good luck!
no advice on the pool situation, maybe there is a
YMCA. Not that many indoor pools here in So Cal
the move may have something to do with the funger sucking
stress on them too!!! Reminders may help, but she's only a baby. Don't think you have to do everything so soon. Babies don't crave as much activity as we do.
You are lucky to be home, keep it simple. slow down and the stress level will reduce too and maybe the sucking will go away soon. D. my kids are 19 and 17. neither sucks their thumbs or fingers. sorry to be sarcastic but just worry about the big stuff.
Hi S.,
I take my daughter to the Australian Swim School in Costa Mesa. The swim school is located in the Bally's gym (and there are several throughout Orange County). They offer several different levels of swim skills. We do a parent and me class once a week. My daughter is 10 months old and loves the class.
Hi S.,
The Santa Anita Family YMCA has an indoor pool and offers lessons year round. It's located on Mountain Ave in Duarte. Not too far from East Pasadena. The instructors are very nice. My son has been taking lessons there for a couple of years now and he loves it. Good luck, N..
