times4

I messed up. I started my child in swimming lessons when he was just an infant but I didn't stick with it. I had him take 10 lessons again when he was about 9yrs old and he just couldn't get the hang of it. Now he is a pre teen and he says he is afraid of the water because he doesn't like it when the water gets in his eyes,ears or really anywhere on his head. Is there any hope that he will ever be able to learn how to swim?

nanaSue

Well, you know my daughter was exactly like this when she was 7 and I met my second husband and he took her swimming and helped her to swim underwater. Eventually she loved it and ended up swimming like a fish. She even joined the Navy, so there is hope!

rose

I never liked the parents (no offense) who are all "sink or swim" and I know a few parents who have managed to actually let people toss their kids in the water and force them to swim. Lessons can be redone even later in life, but forcing to me is like a form of child neglect/abuse/endangerment.