When Nathan was about 8 months old, E and I decided it was time for him to have some swimming lessons. Water safety is very important to both of us! After doing some online research and speaking with friends, I found that Goldfish Swim School in Livingston was the best reviewed option in our area. So I called over and signed him up!
When we arrived for our first lesson, we were pleasantly surprised by how happy and warm everyone was! The place was PACKED! Parents and kids moving from the dressing rooms to the pool and back again. We dressed Nathan in a swim diaper, a bathing suit, and a rash guard, and he was ready to go.
Nathan started in the Mini 1 class. Mini 1 has a 6 child limit and runs for 30 minutes. That sounds like a long time, but it FLIES BY! E and I would switch off every other week in the pool with Nathan. It was around this time that I found out that I was pregnant with Nora. For the first few months, I was able to comfortably get in and out of the pool but, as my pregnancy progressed, it became harder and harder. As a result, we decided to take a step back from swimming for a little while.
Just before Thanksgiving last year, E and I began talking about signing up Nathan and Nora for swimming lessons at Goldfish again. A few days after we discussed it, Goldfish reached out about the possibility of collaborating together! It was like they were reading our minds. Since we were already big fans of Goldfish, we decided to move forward with lessons for both kids! We decided to hold off until after the holidays to start up again.
Starting on the first Sunday in January, Nathan started in the Mini 3 class (no parent) and Nora started in the Mini 1 class (with a parent). That first day back, E and I didn’t realize that Nathan wouldn’t have a parent going in the pool with him. We both came dressed to swim! Nathan insisted that I come watch him, so E hopped into the pool with Nora.
The Mini 3 class is limited to 3 children and runs for 30 minutes. Nathan was SO excited to meet his classmates and his teacher! After a few introductions, I found a spot on a bench not far from his lane and watched! Nathan couldn’t wait to jump in. He had to wait his turn, though, which was not easy for him at first. The teacher moved Nathan through different swim skills over the course of his lesson. Floating, kicking, paddling, etc. They also spent time learning how to get in and out of the pool safely. At the end of each lesson, the teacher takes a few minutes to go over your child’s progress with you, and then presents your child with a special ribbon as a prize. Nathan LOVES carrying his around and showing it to everyone!
As I mentioned above, the Mini 1 class also runs for 30 minutes but has up to 6 kids in it. This class really focuses first on getting your child comfortable in the water. Nora LOVES the water, so that wasn’t really much of an issue for her. She would spend all day in the bath or pool if you let her. Once the kids are comfortable, the teachers move onto swim skills such as floating, kicking, and paddling. They also spend some time teaching the babies to climb in and out of the pool safely. That is easily Nora’s LEAST favorite part of the lesson. She hates getting out of the pool, even if it is just for a few seconds! Sometimes, the instructor will break out a slide or a foam canoe for a little fun. At the end of each lesson, the teacher sings a song!
After each lesson, we dry off and change into street clothes, and then we blow dry our hair. I love that Goldfish provides blowdryers for their members to use. It is an essential part of our post-lesson routine during the winter months. Nobody wants to go outside with wet hair in 30 degree weather. Then it is off to the welcome desk to scoop up that week’s special giveaway! Each week, Goldfish has a little giveaway for the kids. One week it was rubber goldfish for the bath, another week it was a coloring sheet. It is always something fun!
Nathan and Nora have loved their swimming lessons over the last several months! Unfortunately, Goldfish had closed its doors temporarily in early March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nathan and Nora miss the pool (and we do too!). Thankfully, Goldfish is still engaging with their members through virtual lessons offered on their Parent Portal as part of their “Goldfish At Home” program. This week, Goldfish is hosting “Spirit Week” on their social media pages. Click HERE to check out their Instagram account. Today is “Write A Letter Wednesday.” Write a letter to a friend (or Bubbles the Goldfish), post it on your Instagram stories or feed, and tag Goldfish! If you are currently a member at Goldfish, or thinking about joining, you should definitely check them out!
We are all looking forward to getting back into the Goldfish pool soon!
Thank you Goldfish Swim School – Livingston for sponsoring this post.
