Child being 'punished' for a choice I made

Lifeisbutadream

barbarawright wrote: »

Yes indeed - I find it extraordinary that anyone thinks school swimming for 9 year olds should be about more than getting everyone to feel confident in the water and enjoy themselves. Why shouldn't kids swim slowly if that's what they want to do? Sadly the obsession some teachers (and parents it seems) have with competition is what puts most kids off sports for life.

No problem with kids swimming slowly! but being 'told off' for swimming too fast??

Lifeisbutadream

poet123 wrote: »

I think it far more likely they view you as a "difficult" parent and that they contacted you to try pre empt or diffuse the expected furore when you found out that your son could not swim for the school because the team was being drawn from those who attend school swim class.

The fact is that in this area you have seemingly voiced a lot of opinions and your son has stopped and re started the lessons. The school may view the reasons you gave as unreasonable. I am thinking here of your objection to them subsidising the swimming lessons for children of those on benefits.

Personally I suspect that is why they rang you....and you haven't disappointed! No offence, it is your prerogative as a parent, but it does mean the school will see you as someone to be "placated" rather than someone who is onside.

Nice. Thanks.

I think its highly unlikely they view me as 'difficult' I havent been anywhere near school for about a year.

poet123

Lifeisbutadream wrote: »

Nice. Thanks.

I think its highly unlikely they view me as 'difficult' I havent been anywhere near school for about a year.

But on this particular issue you have history with the school, that is what they will remember.

globetraveller

If you seriously think that they are doing all this to see your reaction, then you need to think about moving him. I can't believe any school would go all out to wish to make a parent react in the way you think they want. They have too many other things to worry about. Seriously- I would move him. He can then also get in to the galas.

barbarawright

It's just possible that swimming, for the school, may not be quite as important as it is for you. Are you planning to withdraw him from secondary school classes if you don't approve of the teaching style. And then send him back to the class when you realise he might be missing out?

Felicity

If you honestly believe the school are doing this to wind you up then your relationship with the school has seriously broken down and there will only be one looser in that - your son!

I suggest you focus on that, especially if he is going to need additional support following his recent diagnosis.

Schools should not be battlegrounds between parents and teachers, forget about swimming galas and glory chasing and concentrate on rebuilding your relationship with the school.

Lifeisbutadream

LandyAndy wrote: »

I haven't read through the whole thread, , so someone may have said this but maybe those children who can barely swim or even not swim at all appear to be intimidated by your son ploughing up and down the pool and so he has been asked to take it easy. Very tempting as a nine year old to show off something that you are good at.;)

Could you remove my name from your post please. Thanks

Lifeisbutadream

Can mods please remove the post with my name in it.

FBaby

Lifeisbutadream wrote: »

No problem with kids swimming slowly! but being 'told off' for swimming too fast??

Was he actually told off or was he just told to slow down because at risk of bumping into the child in front of him?

barbarawright

FBaby wrote: »

Was he actually told off or was he just told to slow down because at risk of bumping into the child in front of him?

I swim a lot but very very slowly. Drives me insane when people bomb up and down the 'slow lane' overtaking and bumping into me. I can't go any faster :rotfl: