A plug for Water Babies

If you haven't heard of it, Water Babies differs from traditional swimming classes in that, while obviously the emphasis is on having fun, the aim is to show parents how to teach their babies to swim. Lately, its methods have hit the headlines for actually saving children's lives.

So, back to the rave. Actually no, before I start gushing about the lesson, you realy need to understand just how cute the little uns look in the water.

They all wear trunks - even the girl babies (Mollie's are mulberry) - and they all love an audience. After performing each manoeuvre, Mollie's flashing coy smiles at the parents and grandparents gathered round the water's edge to make sure everyone's noticed what a clever girl she is.

And she is a clever girl! Six weeks ago she spent the lesson in a state of permanent bemusement. Now she swims underwater, holds her head afloat and yesterday - wonder of wonders - she held on to the side of the pool, unaided. Amazing! She's only four months old, you know.

All credit to teacher Jon who, with his bald head and smiley face, looks a bit like an overgrown baby himself. He's endlessly patient and instils confidence in us mums who balk at the swimming underwater part (dads incidentally have no truck with dunking their off-spring).

The half-hour lesson flies by in a whirl of nursery rhymes and splashes. Signature tune is 'Splish, splash, splish, splash, round in a circle and a big hurray' which annoyingly sticks in your head for the rest of the week.

The other parents who go are lovely and friendly. Most, like me and Mr F, alternate, so one of us will be in the water while the other holds the camcorder (or gasses to the other onlookers).

At around £10 a session it's a bit pricey but, quite honestly, I can't think of a better way to spend my Saturdays.

Jon and Cathy are soon to be expanding their business into Birmingham. My advice to other parents is sign up quick!