That’s how I learned

Try to keep track of what old-folks homes in the area have the most egregious and disturbing incidences of elder abuse and neglect. Send your father-in-law to the worst one.

I almost drowned this way. In this case, I was 8 and it was my 12 year old sister. She insisted this was the way for me to learn. I remember thrashing in the water, making it to the wall she wanted me to touch (it was only about 3 feet away), touching it underwater, turning back to her for her to pull me above the surface, and her backing away because she didn’t see me touch the wall. This is all I remember. She told me years later that a lady jumped in and pulled me out. I don’t remember that part, just the near-drowning and the vivid fear. To this day, I cannot swim, and I feel like I am drowning or being waterboarded if there is too much water in my face. I see movies of people in the shower just letting the water rush down over their whole face and NOPE I’ve tried it and it feels like I’m drowning. I’m jealous of people who can do that because it looks relaxing and pleasant but it just feels like torture to me. It took me years to connect the incident with that, as well as my inability to go “down deep” into water - even at 3 feet. Fuck people who teach kids to swim that way. It’s just a psychotic dick move with a complete lack of empathy for the struggling and terrified child. Fucking shitbags.

I learned how to swim this way

I see a number of "I learned this way comments" and frankly it doesn't matter. The choice of how to teach the child was the parents. They were right to toss him out, simply on him disrespecting their wishes alone, to say nothing of their daughter having a legit fear that may now take years to fix. Father-In-Law can fuck right off, thanks.

that is NOT the way to do it! -someone who isn't a strong swimmer and almost died by drowning that way

It not about learning to swim it was about getting her over her fear of the pool. So learning to swim wasn't the point nor what it was about.

poor kid, but let's be honest, you knew the guy is a dick and is likely to do this sort of thing. protect your kid.

now he can get a restraining order the right way

Hide his dentures, make a steak dinner, and tell him you're trying to teach him how to chew like a real man