Since moving to Seattle, I’ve joined quite a few meetup groups.  Some have been wonderful.  Others not so much.  What does this have to do with swimming lessons, you ask?  Well, it began with one question at a not-so-much meetup group:

‘He’s 8 months old and you haven’t started swimming lessons?’

Cringe.

I mean, babies are eligible for lessons at six months.  And two whole months had passed without him learning anything about water safety?

Oh, the horrible-mommy-humanity.

I went home and began researching baby swim classes.  Simultaneously wondering how I’d managed to keep my son alive for 8 months when he doesn’t even know how to swim!

Luckily, we found a class at our local YMCA and signed Colin up for the next session.  He could finally show off his ridiculously cute bathrobe [a gift from one of John’s college friends]!

Now, I’m not making a joke of water safety.  It’s important.  Totally.

But let me be clear on my opinion–  swimming lessons for a baby this little are purely for parental entertainment.

Case in point:  The instructor says that the most valuable lesson to teach our kids is ‘not to run by the pool.’  Great lesson, but at the time Colin couldn’t even crawl.

Do I recommend swimming lessons?  Sure.  I am having a great time splashing & blowing bubbles in the pool with my baby once a week.  And look at him ‘swim’ to Daddy…

But should you feel like a bad parent if your 8 month old isn’t in swimming lessons?  No.

Did it warrant the judgment from meetup mom?  Absolutely not.  [If we’re being honest, I’m a little ashamed I signed up on account of her asinine question.]