FOUR SUPERB BENEFITS OF SHARING HOBBIES WITH YOUR KID

From sports to collectibles to video games and beyond, there is an unlimited number of hobbies that you can choose from. As a parent, you also want to encourage your child to show an interest in the things you love, but this isn’t always easy. Some kids may not care about what you love, or they’d much rather hang out with friends or spend an evening in front of the TV. While this is understandable, it also means you’re both missing out on something special. So, what are the benefits of sharing hobbies with your kids? 

You Can Build a Bond

Building a strong bond between you and your child is something any parent dreams of achieving. In most cases, the bond is already there, but if you want to make more memories, sharing hobbies is a great solution. As much as family dinners or car rides to school will stick with them, the experiences they have with you when they score their first goal or win their first online game are even better, and you’ll be there for every success, so they know you've always supported them. 

You Can Meet New People Together 

 Meeting new people can be tricky as an adult, and if your child has struggled to make friends at school or around the neighborhood, a shared hobby can expand both of your circles. Wherever you go, a local club or activity gives you the chance to get to know someone different, or even build a friendship with someone who was previously a peripheral figure in your life. This is also great for teaching your child vital social skills and can help them get out of the house more and build friendships with kids their age. 

You Can Explore Something New 

There are so many hobbies to choose from that it can feel overwhelming. While most people are drawn to traditional hobbies like sports, others may prefer to look further afield. There are still a lot of hobbies you can get into, such as scale models, trading cards, or mini model painting. You don’t even need to commit to a specific hobby right now. Instead, try a few hobbies together and see which one you enjoy the most. 

It Can Build Their Confidence 

Confidence can be tricky for kids at any age, which is why trying new hobbies can be such a significant factor in their life. If your child is naturally shy, they may need evidence that they are more capable than they assume, so helping them improve their skills through different sports (such as boxing or MMA) or music will help them feel better about themselves. Once they master their skills, they will never worry about not being good enough ever again. 

Getting On Your Hobby Horse 

Sharing hobbies with your child brings plenty of benefits to your home and will do wonders for your relationship. They will learn an array of skills and even build other friendships that will stay with them forever. If you want to make the most of your child’s childhood, introducing them to your favorite hobbies is an excellent place to start.

GOLDFISH SWIM SCHOOL IS A GREAT PLACE FOR FATHERLY BONDING WITH KIDS

** A Geek Daddy is a Goldfish Swim School Brand Ambassador and receives free products and services **

Learning to swim is not only a valuable skill for children to acquire but can also be a great way for dads to spend some quality time together with their children.  Goldfish Swim Schools have a variety of options available that teach children the skills to be safe and have fun in the water that are also great activities for fathers to be involved with.  For dads with children ranging from infants to tweens, Goldfish Swim School is a great place to engage in fatherly bonding with your kids.

Infant / Toddler Classes 

Goldfish Swim School provides an opportunity for fathers help their children that are 4 months to 36 months old get comfortable with being immersed in water with infant / toddler classes.  Introducing a child to getting into a pool at a very early age can help prevent him or her from developing an anxiety about swimming or a fear of water later on in life.  Getting children accustomed to spending time in the water as preschoolers often times provides them with confidence to participate in swimming lessons when they get old enough for them.  My wife and I participated in infant / toddler classes with our twins and when it came time for us to sign up for swimming lessons my son and daughter had no hesitancy about getting into the pool and they honestly can be a pair of real scaredy cats at times.

Pediatricians recommend that skin-to-skin contact strengthens the bond between a parent and an infant.  Spending some time in the water during a Goldfish Swim School infant / toddler class can be a great way for a dad to get some of that valuable contact they might not otherwise regularly be getting as often as mom does with a little one.  Plus it is just a nice, enjoyable way to spend some fun time with a son or daughter by participating together in one of these parent-tot classes.  

Swimming Lessons

Each Goldfish Swim School location has a nice glass paneled viewing area for parents to observe their children's swimming lessons. Parents are encouraged to stay and watch.  At the conclusion of each class, the instructor provides an in-depth one-on-one evaluation to a parent about how the student fared and what the child needs to improve on.  Discussing what you learned from the instructor presents a nice opportunity for fathers to have constructive dialogue with a child.  Kids are at the age where they are craving a parent's attention when they are taking swimming lessons at Goldfish Swim School.  Knowing dad is watching them swim and taking an interest in their progress will mean a lot to a son or daughter.  At a  recent lesson while I was kneeling down by the side of the pool to hear my son's evaluation the instructor informed us that he was graduating up to a higher class level.  My son was so excited to be moving up and happy that I was there to share in the news.  Moments like that for a dad and child to share are really special.

Family Swim

A great way to bond with kids is to just let loose and have fun with them.  Take advantage of Goldfish Swim School's open swim hours that let dads jump in the pool with their kids.  Whether you are helping a child practice swimming strokes, racing for bragging rights, or just splashing around this is a great way to enjoy spending time with your family.  Family Swim hours vary by location.  The Goldfish Swim School we attend has their Family Swim on Friday nights from 6:30 - 8:30 pm which makes for a relaxing way to wrap up the week.  Keep an eye out for Member Appreciation Weeks throughout the year because Goldfish Swim School provides special activities and pizza during  Family Swim hours to make the event extra special for students and their parents to participate in.

Party!

Celebrate a special moment in your child's life by reserving Goldfish Swim School for a party.  Don't be shy and jump right in the pool with your child to make some memories to last a lifetime.  Friends and family are sure to have a great time at your child's pool party.  Goldfish Swim School handles all the details and cleanup so dads can focus on enjoying the moment with your child.

Swimming is a great way to spend time with a child.  Goldfish Swim School caters to kids ranging from 4 months to 12 years old and provides plenty of ways that a dad can be involved with the experience.  It provides a great opportunity for dads to bond with their children through engaging in its activities.  For more information or to find a location near you, please visit goldfishswimschool.com