We know that exercise is good for our kids, and we know that finding popular family activities can be hard work. What we might not consider, however, is that some “fun” activities can actually be great parenting tools and a great way to connect with our kids in intimate and learning ways. I happened to discover swimming was just that sort of activity when my kids were quite little. Who knew?
I knew that swimming and playing in the water was incredibly popular and a great family activity, but in the year I first became a single parent and my children were a young 4, 5 and 6 years old, I also learned that swimming could be an opportunity for us to bond, spend time together as a family, work on trust and sharing issues, and settle down and get calm after a busy, hectic day.
Going for the evening swim became a favorite activity for my kids and I and a way for us to get out of the house and away from homework and other stresses, and focus on each other. My kids and I would make up games, they would climb all over me or have me be the “boat” or sea monster that they tried to float on, we would practice swim strokes, and we would just generally be having a lot of eye-to-eye contact, laughs, and hugs. By the time we would finish our swim and take our hot shower, we would all four be ready to head home and have a bed time snack before waddling off to bed—warm, clean, and feeling as though we’d had a great night together. Not to mention, the evening swim helped all three of my kids get the last of any restlessness out of their bodies so they could have a good night’s sleep.
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