Should a parent force a child to jump into the pool if the child is crying his b

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   6hotfingers3posted 14 years ago

   Should a parent force a child to jump into the pool if the child is crying his brains out? Even if
   
   the parent is waiting to catch the child?

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2. 78

   Polly Cposted 14 years ago

   No, absolutely not. Forcing a child to do such a thing against their own choosing might only result in fear and negative feelings, which may be very long lasting.   It will quite likely be counter productive, taking away the child's enjoyment of the water. Children have to go at their own pace, the pace that is right for them. Sometimes, even when it seems as though a child will never come around, they will suddenly surprise you with a complete change-around.  The most important aspect when trying to teach a child to swim or become used to the water is positivity on all accounts. I'm speaking from experience actually, as I have a child who point blank refused to ever put his face in the water. I even had to speak to the school teacher about it, though he was never forced, only encouraged. Then one day he suddenly decided to, it was completely his own decision. And now he loves it.

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3. 59

   Allan Douglasposted 14 years ago

   No.  I believe the better solution would be to ease the child into the water cradled in your arms.  Once that bond of trust is sufficient to overpower the fear they feel, they will then be willing to jump into your arms while you stand in the water.

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4. 59

   MrAungstposted 14 years ago

   My mom did this to me, and guess what? I learned how to swim.  I love water now. Some say that it can create feelings of fear or distrust, but those people are glass half empty people.  It can also create feelings of pride and bravery, and that can really carry on with a child as they move on through their lives.

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5. 59

   dabeanerposted 14 years ago

   Oh boo hoo.  Too many parents cater to whiny crybabies.  Too bad they can no longer set them out in the forests for the wolves to get.

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6. 60

   6hotfingers3posted 14 years ago

   Great responses to this question. My grand hild was excited about going to swimming but for some reason she became very
   fearful of the situation. We tried to show her she would be alright but she did not want to have anything to do with it.
   Thank you!

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