Recently I was asked by a parent of a fully skilled "clothing tested" swim-float-swimmer, how are Maintenance lessons different than Refreshers? ISR recommends "Refresher" lessons every 6-12 months depending on your child's age and skill level. A typical Refresher lesson can lasts 1-2 weeks depending on how long it has been since your child's last ISR lessons, how much they have grown, as well as any new skills being taught. For example a floater last season will need to learn the swim-float-swim sequence next.

​In this case, the child mentioned above would not necessarily need a full Refresher, therefore I would suggest a few scheduled Maintenance Lessons. You see ISR of Lake Lanier offers year round Maintenance lessons. These lessons are designed to fine-tune your child's skills or to prevent problems from developing in your child's technique. Being out of lessons for a prolonged period of time, your child may develop unwanted habits out of regular play time in the pool. For example, your child may begin to swim farther without rolling over for breath or may try swimming with her head out of the water. Some habits formed from normal exploration in the water may begin to affect your child's ability to swim and float.

As I explained to the parent above, her child will become more comfortable and confident in the water, he will begin to experiment and explore the aquatic environment. It is important to know that this does not mean that your child has "forgotten" the skills learned during ISR of Lake Lanier lessons. However, it may be necessary to schedule a Maintenance Lesson just to give you peace of mind! There are no set time frames for Maintenance Lessons. They are contingent upon the behaviors being exhibited by your child. In most cases, behaviors can be reinforced or corrected in one or two Maintenance Lessons. However, at ISR of Lake Lanier, many of my parents love to bring their children throughout the year scheduling lessons every other month, once a month, or more to consistently reinforce proper swimming behaviors...and to keep from having to schedule an actual 2-4 week Refresher. Contact me today to schedule your child's next Maintenance Lesson! 

​ISR of Lake Lanier is now scheduling 2018 Winter Maintenance Swim Lessons which are designed to fine-tune your child's skills or to prevent problems from developing in your child's swim and floating technique.  A few months after completion of ISR lessons, your child may develop unwanted habits out of regular play time in the pool.  For example, your child may begin to swim farther without rolling over for breath or may try swimming with her head out of water.  Some habits formed from normal exploration in the water may begin to affect your child's ability to swim and float. Upon completion of lessons, you may see behaviors in the child's swimming at home that is not consistent with what your child was doing during lessons.  This is a natural progression for your child.  As he becomes more comfortable and confident in the water, he will begin to experiment and explore the aquatic environment.  It is important to know that this does not mean that your child has "forgotten" the skills learned during ISR of lessons.  However, it may be necessary to schedule a Maintenance Lesson.

During Maintenance Lessons, Ms. Robin will discuss with you different ways to swim with your child to reinforce the correct swimming behaviors and how to control the swimming environment to avoid negative behaviors.  There are no set time frames for Maintenance Lessons.  They are contingent upon the behaviors being exhibited by your child.  In most cases, behaviors can be reinforced or corrected in one or two Maintenance Lessons.  However, some parents choose to bring their children for maintenance lessons once a week or every two weeks throughout the Fall and Winter to consistently reinforce proper swimming behaviors. To schedule your child's next Maintenance lesson please click the button below! 

Copyright © 2018 ISR of Lake Lanier, LLC

Lake Lanier's own Infant Swimming Resource Certified Instructor Robin Adams' training was completed in July of 2007 and included 60+ hours of supervised in-water hands-on training. A 1995 graduate of Gainesville High School and 1999 graduate of The University of Georgia, Robin's ISR education included extensive academic study and testing in child psychology, physiology, and behavioral science, trained by former Georgia now Texas resident Senior Master Instructor Tanya Carew and 18 ISR students.  As an ISR instructor, Robin is required to complete annual reviews and re-certification to ensure that her skills and techniques continue to meet the highest ISR standards.  ​
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The ISR Self-Rescue™ Swim-Float-Swim program teaches the skills necessary for a child to reach the steps, edge of the pool or shore.  This process begins with teaching breath control and the skills to turn around in the water to secure the edge.  Children learn correct swimming posture, movement through the water, the rollback-to-float sequence, as well as rotating to a face down position to continue to swim.  This “swim-float-swim” sequence can be repeated until safety is reached. 

At ISR of Lake Lanier your child will receive hands on one-on-one safe instruction from a highly certified and effective instructor.  With just one student and instructor, this allows your instructor to focus fully on the individual needs of your child as all children are unique in their personalities and cognitive learning abilities.  

When you learn about ISR, you know this is the most important level of protection you can give your child to prevent drowning. If fences, supervision, and alarms fail, your child's skill is an additional measure of protection! 

Copyright © 2017 ISR of Lake Lanier, LLC 

I am excited to share with y'all one of my favorite recipes that I make for my daughter, Homemade Oatmeal Cereal with Avocado. I do modify it a little now that she is not a baby, however her little brother will need the baby version as shown below. I began making this particular concoction when she was about 6 months old. I chose to exclusively breastfeed her until she was 6 months and introduced meats when she was 8 months. This was my own personal decision, she was thriving and that's all that matters! Once I introduced food it was generally as a snack, not meal replacement until around 12 months. Now that my little guy has turned 13 weeks, starting him on solids is just around the corner!

I'm starting to get really excited because I used to love coming up with new ideas for how to feed my daughter regular food, baby-style, not "baby jarred nastiness". I typically would make her combinations of what I would eat, because if I wouldn't touch it why should she?! Plus, she got used to what I cook daily and you should see her eat now!

My next favorite part of making baby food is using my squeeze pouches. I wrote about both in my previous blog about Fall Pumpkin Banana Puree. We are a family on the go, and when it comes to feeding my kids, our favorite go to snack is our homemade recipes using our squeeze pouches! These squeeze pouches are so easy to grab and go...even for us adults! Store bought pouches can costs anywhere from $1.25 - $3 and that just adds up. That's why we make our own at home using our squeeze pouch station. I am a huge fan! I can puree fruits and veggies, fill them myself so that I know exactly what I'm feeding them. You can purchase it using my link above! I highly recommend this system!

So without further ado, here is my recipe for Homemeade Oatmeal Avocado Puree.

1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1 1/2 cups of boiling water
1 medium avocado
1-2 ripe organic bananas
Nutmeg (optional)
Cinnamon (optional)

1. First I measure out the rolled oats and place in a medium bowl or your Cuisinart chopper/grinder attachment.

2. Using either a handheld blender or food processor, blend the oats until they become a fine consistency. Similar to the boxed baby oatmeal.Done! You now have baby oatmeal. Now you're ready to boil the oatmeal in a medium saucepan bring 1 1/2 cups of water to a boil. Stir in the processed oats. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered for 5 minutes, stir occasionally. Remove from heat.

3. Peel your avocado and place into a medium sized mixing bowl or the saucepan with oats. Add 1-2 bananas. Using your handheld blender again, blend the ingredients together. Let it cool. While cooling set up your squeeze station and label your  squeeze pouches. Finally, using your squeeze pouch station fill your  squeeze pouches and serve or store in your refrigerator or freezer using the recommendations provided by the  squeeze pouch manufacturer.