This summer I’ve had great ambitions of getting both boys accustomed to pools and lakes, so they’re not scared of swimming. They both love the water – but Andrew, my 3 1/2 year old would cry when he was put into anything deeper than his knees.
I’m so glad that I teamed up with SwimSteps as part of their Swim Team, to show you their awesome swimming gear and the progress of teaching my boys to swim.
I started both boys out with Swim Step 2. In this step, we received both the Swim Vest and the Swim Sweater.
We brought them to our first water ‘outing’ this summer – to the Kings Pointe Resort last month.
I was really excited that these had the sleeves on them, adding the SPF protection to their sensitive shoulders.
Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed with the Swim Vest overall. It was really large on my boys – but we gave it a try anyway.
Andrew got really nervous in the deeper ends, and didn’t feel safe when we let him go – on top of which, the vest ended up covering up his mouth when we let him go a little, because it was far too large.
So we put them into regular life jackets that the pool provided for the rest of the day. unfortunately the Swim Sweater requires a tire pump to fill up – otherwise we would have put them in the sweater.
Our next adventure was at my Sister-in-law’s pool. I was nervous because Andrew really got freaked out swimming in water that he couldn’t touch in, so bad that he would scream and cry and give us the death-grip around our neck.
We finally coaxed him into the pool with the Swim Sweater.
Again, they were a bit baggier than I would have liked on my boys, but it really didn’t matter, because the tube is under their armpits – so there’s no bunching at the top by their faces.
The swim vest worked great for them!
After a bit of crying and kicking and screaming – Andrew finally calmed down – and trusted the tube.
By the end of our swimming session he was jumping off the sides of the pool.
Ethan – He was very ‘chill’ about the whole thing, and fully trusted the tube from the beginning.
Overall – I’d highly recommend the Swim Sweater for any younger toddler who is uncomfortable swimming by themselves, but doesn’t want the bulk and crotch strap associated with a regular life jacket.
Have you gotten your kids in the pool/lake this summer?
I received the items for review purposes as part of the swim ways swim team in exchange for sharing my honest thoughts with you all! My opinions are 100% my own.
A friend of mine teaches classes for toddlers (even babies!) and it can certainly save lives!
i have taught all three of my boys
That is such a great idea to teach them while they are this young. Love the Swim step2 gear to give them security and safety.
Great line of products for all stages / ages.
We haven’t gone swimming yet this summer. But the swim sweater sounds like a great product. Thanks for sharing!
My son has a vest one but I like the tube type one. Thanks for sharing these.
I love these vests… mine is so brave now that he’s got the basics of swimming down… I think I’d feel much more comfortable having him wear one of these though… he just wants to jump right in the deep end even though he’s still just a beginner.
wow,i think I may have to invest in some of these,most of my grandchildren are toddlers an they can share
These products are a really great way to help your children learn how to swim! Parents need to find ways to have their children learn to love the water and learn to swim!
Adorable! P has one of those shirt, floatie things but it has a strange strap in the middle, around his legs. We hate using it.
What a great way to teach your child how to swim! I wish I would have had some aids like this when I was teaching my son!
Swim Ways sounds like an amazing product!
Maureen
maureen.tenney@gmail.com
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