Dilemma

So I have just started swim lessons with my twins (16months old), and originally the instructor (who teaches from her home swimming pool), was keeping the class small - only 3 students/class. The teacher had offered to take one of my twins during the lesson so I wouldn't need to bring a second person, but knowing that my twins are going thro a clingy stage I said I would bring an extra set of hands just in case, well it turns out the last 2 wks that my twins didn't want to go to the teacher, so I had to have my "help" get in the pool and take one of the twins, then everything was fine.
But, here is my dilemma, another twin mom has now joined the lesson, and she doesn't have help, so the teacher is taking one of her twins, but she is also having the same problem, her twins scream and scream while being held by someone new. Not to mention that her twins (who are about 18months old) throw crazy tantrums and basically either one or both scream the entire 30min lesson (while mom ignores them). So that makes it hard for me to concentrate on what the teacher is trying to teach, and my twins were starting to get really upset by the end of this last lesson with all of the screaming going on....so my dilemma is - do I ask to be transferred to another day/time so that I can avoid being around the other twins as they are just really upsetting to me and my kids? I would like to do this, but I feel horrible that I am not being "supportive" of another twin mom who is struggling...but in the end I am paying a lot of money for these swim lessons and I find that everyone in the class is completely distracted (including the teacher who is trying to calm down a child all the time)...any advice is most welcome!

I should also add that I am not opposed to hearing some crying in the class, I fully expect that there will be some, but this just seems to extreme.

 

QUOTE(isis @ May 28 2009, 06:02 AM) [snapback]1330892[/snapback]
So I have just started swim lessons with my twins (16months old), and originally the instructor (who teaches from her home swimming pool), was keeping the class small - only 3 students/class. The teacher had offered to take one of my twins during the lesson so I wouldn't need to bring a second person, but knowing that my twins are going thro a clingy stage I said I would bring an extra set of hands just in case, well it turns out the last 2 wks that my twins didn't want to go to the teacher, so I had to have my "help" get in the pool and take one of the twins, then everything was fine.
But, here is my dilemma, another twin mom has now joined the lesson, and she doesn't have help, so the teacher is taking one of her twins, but she is also having the same problem, her twins scream and scream while being held by someone new. Not to mention that her twins (who are about 18months old) throw crazy tantrums and basically either one or both scream the entire 30min lesson (while mom ignores them). So that makes it hard for me to concentrate on what the teacher is trying to teach, and my twins were starting to get really upset by the end of this last lesson with all of the screaming going on....so my dilemma is - do I ask to be transferred to another day/time so that I can avoid being around the other twins as they are just really upsetting to me and my kids? I would like to do this, but I feel horrible that I am not being "supportive" of another twin mom who is struggling...but in the end I am paying a lot of money for these swim lessons and I find that everyone in the class is completely distracted (including the teacher who is trying to calm down a child all the time)...any advice is most welcome!

I should also add that I am not opposed to hearing some crying in the class, I fully expect that there will be some, but this just seems to extreme.


I would change class u have to do what works for your family and get the benefit of the lessons you have paid for, its not like ur being unsupportive as u can't really do anything to help anyhow. Hope u enjoy the rest of your classes.

 

I once pulled my dd out of lessons b/c her carrying-on was too disruptive. Seems to me like the teacher should speak to the mom if it is that bad. Some toddlers just aren't ready for the water experience!

 

I would talk to the teacher about it, she may have to see if the Mom can bring some help to class but if you are paying a lot for these lessons and feel your children are not getting anything out of them, then I would switch classes. I'd hate to seem unsupportive of another twin Mom but is it fair to your children if you paid all this money for lessons and at the end of it all, they still can't swim? Good luck to you in your decision!

 

Yes, if one (or two) children are ruining the class for everyone else, I'd ask to switch. Is private lessons an option?

 

Does sound like chaos! To be honest if I had paid all that money and saw that the teacher was actually with a child all the time I would not be happy. How can they go around and help others? It is incredibly disruptive and off putting for everyone when another child constantly screams and they should be taken out of the pool. I like to support any mother but there are limits!

 

I would talk to the teacher and if she doesn't have suggestions, then switch the time/day. I think its great that you want to be supportive of another twin mom, but like you said, you are paying a lot for these lessons and you aren't getting your money's worth right now.