My kids are 6 and 8. They should know how to swim. They can't. I took them to the pool a few weeks ago and saw how badly they are in water... my 6yo has zero confidence and my 8yo thinks she knows everything but can barely doggy paddle to keep herself above water. I have contacted the local swim school and classes are $30 per week for both kids. I asked my ex if he is prepared to go halves in paying for it, they are his kids too after all. He is refusing to respond to messages and when i called he said they dont need it cause they know how to swim. I took them to the swim instructor who did a free evaluation and has said both of them have very limited swimming skills and would benefit from classes, i already knew this though after watching them myself struggle in the water. What is a problem is my ex refuses to acknowledge they need to learn to swim, yet, when he gets them every second weekend, he takes them to the beach or the pool and sometimes wont even get in the water with them. My 8yo almost drowned in the surf 2 weeks when a big wave got her and my ex wasnt even in the water with them. Im considering not sending them back to him if he is gonna be like this. It makes me feel uncomfortable sending them to someone who doesnt supervise them in water and doesnt agree or support the fact they need lessons. Yes, i can afford the lessons on my own but i thought seeing as thougg theyre his kids too, he could and should help. And he pays child support WHEN HE FEELS LIKE IT but i just went 6 weeks without a payment, its not something i could rely on to help pay for the classes.... also, yeah he never used to send cards on their bdays or call on xmas either. he is a deadbeat and the only reason he has a relationship with them is cause the courts made him. but hes super neglectful and idk i just wish he had half a brain