i've been having that feeling of regret over so much wasted time, money, and emotion ever since i signed mimi up for private swim lessons with a life guard at Upton Hill pool. five years of group swim classes, some times even two group classes in one summer, and mimi's fear of the water was steadily getting worse. to the point where she would cry about having to go to the pool and begging me to take her out of swim classes and regaling me with "what ifs", like "what if i drown and no one saves me." "what if water goes in my __ (fill in the blank: nose/eyes/ears/mouth)" "what if my hair gets wet." and at the end of each swim class, the only way her hair would be wet was if the instructor took the time to cup some water in his hands and lightly poured it over her head. we took a swim class earlier this summer and while she was making a little bit of progress, there were days when she would cry that she would never be able to swim, that she was too scared, and that she didnt want to go to the pool anymore and please take her out of swim classes.
i told her it was an important skill to learn and that she had to learn how to at least stay afloat in the water. after seeing how very little one-to-one time she had with the swim instructor in a class with just 5 other kids, i decided to just go ahead and get her private swim lessons with a life guard.
what a difference. after day one she was noticibly less reticent about the water. by day two she was excited about going to the pool. by day 3 she was holding her breath and staying under water for 3 seconds, fully submerged. this after 5 years of keeping her head/face dry! and then today, day 4, she swam a 2 meter length under water all by herself. i wanted to cry...just so happy for her and relieved that she's not so afraid any more, and anguished over how many years she had been kept so afraid when the answer was so simple.
i told her it was an important skill to learn and that she had to learn how to at least stay afloat in the water. after seeing how very little one-to-one time she had with the swim instructor in a class with just 5 other kids, i decided to just go ahead and get her private swim lessons with a life guard.
what a difference. after day one she was noticibly less reticent about the water. by day two she was excited about going to the pool. by day 3 she was holding her breath and staying under water for 3 seconds, fully submerged. this after 5 years of keeping her head/face dry! and then today, day 4, she swam a 2 meter length under water all by herself. i wanted to cry...just so happy for her and relieved that she's not so afraid any more, and anguished over how many years she had been kept so afraid when the answer was so simple.
yay mimi! must be such a relief that she is getting excited about swimming now! i'm about to sign george and kayla up for classes at the rec center :)
ReplyDeleteyes, it is a HUGE relief. honestly karen, i could kick myself for not doing it sooner. i'm sure g and k will have a blast in swim class! how sweet that g. is willing to do it!
ReplyDeleteThat is so great! Adam just had his first private lesson last friday at the Donaldson Run pool and he loved it. We refer to them as his lifeguarding lessons because he loves the lifeguards. I had called to ask about private lessons earlier in the summer and when nobody called me back, I just figured, they were all booked up. Then last week I figured I'd try one more time bc Adam really loves the pool and he just really needs to begin learning some basic skills. I figured at his age, a group would be too overwhelming. Anyway, a guy called me back and we set up four lessons and he loves them! I'm so glad Mimi is learning to swim! Next summer will be so different for you!
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