Part 3 & 4 of the blog post series!

I wanted to create a final recap of the first 4 swim lessons plus a little blurb about how swim lesson 5 went! And all my best tips compiled into 1 blog.

Trying new experiences with toddlers can be tough, here’s why:

1. Toddlers like routine and this is a new experience
2. Toddlers can have stranger danger….
3. Toddlers don’t have all their communication yet
4. Toddlers don’t have adult level problem solving skills
5. Toddlers are just learning to navigate their emotions and don’t know how to regulate their emotions yet

A quick recap from swim lessons #1 and #2

Swim Lessons #1: Huge Meltdown from my one twin toddler because he didn’t want to wait to get in the pool and we had to wait 10 minutes which seemed like an eternity!

Swim Lessons #2: Went really well! We arrived right when it was time to get in the water.

Now for Swim Lesson #3. We had some changes in variables. First change was it was now at a different location because of issues with the water. Also my mom who was joining in on the lessons as the second adult (you must have 1 adult per child!), couldn’t make this lesson so my husband helped instead.

It started off rocky because we changed the boys into water diapers and since this was a new place the changing station was different and it was very high up and narrow space to change the boys on, which started things on a shaky note.

My husband wasn’t familiar with a lot of the songs and moves so the instructor (a different instructor from the last 2 lessons) picked up Jace, to demonstrate, who had been doing very well at swim lessons…and stranger danger kicked in! So Jace was upset the rest of the time, bummer! Not to mention Sky who had the meltdown during lesson #1 was not comfortable with the new instructor, there seemed to be more kids in the water and adult bystanders then ever before…and he cried the whole time….

We seriously debating if we should continue the lessons….but here’s what happened!

The next weeks lesson, Lesson 4 went extraordinarily well and Lesson 5 Magnificently well! It was worth waiting it out but also being pro-active.

Lesson #4 I made sure to have a slow transition with Sky in the water going down the water entrance ramp, and we didn’t even fully join the class until halfway through (15 minutes in), but Sky was SO SO PROUD of himself and so were we!

Lesson 5 was like a dream! Pure Bliss and beautiful bonding moments with the twins!

Here are some Swim Toddler Twin Hacks!

We put the boys in sperate strollers!

We also put their water diapers on at home, then their wet suites, and then over top a regular diaper, just in case…because those water diapers leak fast if they pee.

It worked! And made the transition so much easier and boys were so much happier when arriving to swim lessons!

Okay so here are all the tips and proactive strategies if you toddlers are struggling with Swim Lessons!

1. Timing-arrive when swim lessons start, eliminate waiting
2. Waiting-work on waiting skills at home
3. Individuality-Let twins have their own stroller so they can ease into lessons at their own pace
4. Timing-Don’t let twins out of stroller until time to get in water
5. Needs-Make sure your toddlers are warm and buy a wet suit if needed for the water
6. Transition-Put water diapers on under wet suites and then regular diaper on top if that transition is setting your toddler off
7. Needs-Pack waters and snacks for after the lesson, swimming burns the calories and your little ones need to replenish
8. Routine-even new experiences can become routine if you stick with them, if it’s important to you then keep with it, just see how you can make the experience better with proactive strategies
9. Meltdown Toolkit-know when to teach and when to support your little one with Meltdowns

https://www.twinmomroadmap.com/meltdown-thermometer

Use the link above the get your Meltdown Thermometer! It’s so handy to have especially when you can print it out and put it on the fridge 🙂

Incase you didn’t know, Hi I’m Heather! a Teacher for Ten Years Turned Twin Toddler Momma! My passion is helping twin moms and toddler moms, get their toddlers to listen in 2 seconds and to build the beautiful bond between mom and toddler 🙂

I’m all about being real! And sharing when Meltdowns do happen and what we do to overcome them to help foster and parent more Resilient & Self Regulated Toddlers, which in many ways is education for the parent including myself! I’m a life long learner!

You can check out my free guides at www.twinmomroadmap.com/guides

or find me on Instagram @twinmom_roadmap

If your a twin mom, I have a cozy and friendly FB group community where we share resources and double the laughter, join here!