I reckon if all parents wrote near daily, they would discover some good opportunities.
I am glad your parents persevered and taught you. Mine (mother) encouraged us not to swim at all, because of the fears of drowning. When I was revived, my first words were "Don't tell my mother".
This is where our parenting fears restrict our children from learning what they need. Australia is a massive island, Finland has 200,000 lakes - swimming is a must have skill and I am lacking.
The thinking exercise would be good indeed.
Well, it was simples. Besides we live near the coast and swimming is important. My father can't swim. That's another important thing. I even got to compete and stuff. But I wasn't very athletic. And also had to through a fear of depths.