Our Puddle Ducks Journey

Back Story

I absolutely love swimming, it’s frustrated me for years that Mr Mumbler can’t swim (won’t learn!). I used to say things like what if we’re on holiday and you’re the only one there and one of our kids falls in the pool – what are you going to do?

I decided that I needed to make sure that at least my children can swim (in case they have to save their dad!).

In all seriousness, I think learning to swim is as important as learning to read. When Mini Mumbler was born I had no idea that you could take babies for swimming classes, although I did take her swimming myself when she was a new-born.

By the time she was a year old I was looking for something we could do on my day off and discovered a swimming class through Harrogate Mumbler (most likely the start of my Mumbler Story.) We went along to lessons for about 6 months; she only went underwater a handful of times and seemed to enjoy it.

We then had a terrible experience with the underwater photo shoot, the photos were horrendous, she looked terrified and I felt like the World’s Worst Mother for putting her through it, I knew she wasn’t ready but I was assured that she would be fine by the teacher. I was offered to redo the shoot but there was no way I was going to do that to her again.

We carried on with our lessons but she was never the same, always clinging on – she was frightened.  I decided that she‘d had enough and stopped.

When we moved to Wakefield a year or so later I started taking her swimming again myself and built her confidence a little. We tried a swim class but with me in with her she was like a limpet and kicked up a fuss.

Tiny Mumbler

You know what it’s like with the second child, you’re more relaxed, you feel like you’re neglecting them but are less worried about it and you try to correct the mistakes you think you made with your first.

As soon as Tiny Mumbler arrived I was already thinking about taking her to a swimming class. We are very lucky to have a number of classes running in the area but Puddle Ducks came recommended from friends and other Mumblers.

We’ve now had two classes at the popular Newhall Farm Pool. I was worried that she would instantly hate it like she does the bath but I think being in the deeper water and floating about must be a different experience (maybe I should be less tight with the bath water!).

The water is lovely and warm, changing facilities are as good as any private pool can be. I would recommend taking another adult though! I’ll be taking Grandma next week because getting two of you warm, dry and dressed plus children get hungry and very tired after swimming – the whole process would be a lot quicker and easier with an extra pair of hands.

We did get a bit of a shaky start with our classes having two cancelled in a week due to the boiler not working and the chemicals in the pool being out of tolerance.

Yes, it wasn’t ideal and a minor inconvenience but after seeing the poolside assistants checking the levels and temperatures of the water before each session (something I hadn’t seen before during our previous classes with another provider in Harrogate) I feel assured that the water is comfortable and more importantly safe for my baby with Puddle Ducks.

The First Week

I’m not one of those mums that worry about everything but I was a little anxious that she would get dunked and hate it after week one. Puddle Ducks do not submerge your child on their first class, which allowed us both to relax into the routine and try to get into the songs!

I was really happy with our first session the teacher was really helpful and was able to show parents how to handle their children of varying ages safely in the water. I have to say that my previous experience of swimming classes did not go into as much depth.

Week 2

Our teacher had told us on our first lesson that if we felt comfortable we would submerge our babies this week. I was nervous but also excited, it fascinates me to see other babies going under and coming out relatively happy!

I always wanted this for both my children, so I’m really keen to encourage Tiny Mumbler to have a go. There were a few tears but more shock than anything else – she quickly got over it, was able to do it 3 times within the session and carry on with the class after. I’m really excited for next week!

Puddle Ducks Wakefield is giving £20 off for new customers who quote Wakefield Mumbler on booking.

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