Thursday, July 17, 2008
Swim Lesson Dropout
This post is for my friend Suz, whom I miss now that she is living in Texas. Suz somehow has the mistaken notion that I am a great mom and do all kinds of good things with and for my kids. While I do my best (most of the time), I thought I should let Suz in on one of my dirty little secrets....I allowed my son to become a swim lesson dropout! Now this will be particularly horrifying to Suz as she is a Red Cross certified swim instructor and teaches swim lessons at her local YMCA. It is highly likely that she will board a plane and come home to beat some sense into me after reading this post.
Ben started swim lessons again at a local park last week and did great the first day. He tested into preschool advanced, which shocked me, but I soon discovered the only reason he did well was because it was storming the first day of class and they were in the indoor pool. I discovered the difference between the indoor and outdoor pool (which is about 30 degrees in water temperature) last year during swim lessons--you can check out my postings from July 2007 for a recap. Anyway, last Tuesday we arrived at swim lessons and upon testing the outdoor water temperature with his toe, Ben promptly announced that he was NOT getting in the water. His teacher cooerced him in and he immediately burst into tears and scrambled out of the water...refusing to reenter. This was the day after the immunization drama so I just assumed he wasn't feeling well and didn't force the issue. He was allowed to sit on the edge of the pool and watch the rest of the lesson.
The next day swim lessons were cancelled due to a power outage (?) and the following day we headed to swim lessons where Ben, again, refused to get in the water. We had a heart to heart and I determined that he truly hated the cold water and it wasn't worth it to me to fight him about it and turn him off from swimming completely. I told him I would allow him to forgo outdoor swim lessons this summer, but that we were absolutely taking swim lessons this fall in the indoor pool. He agreed...for now. I'm sure it will be a battle again come September when lessons start.
Anyway, there you go, Suz. I am a terrible mother. I truly think swim lessons are one of the most important things your child can participate in and should be a requirement, not just an option and yet I let my 4-year-old talk me out of them....all because I didn't want to fight with him and endure his pool meltdowns. Great mom, huh?!
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2 comments:
Aww...the fact that you know how important it is to teach Ben how to swim makes you an excellent mommy! Too bad Ben doesn't like the cold water. I'd be right there with him though! Who likes to be in cold water!? We've been working with Carter and Nathan too this summer at my mom's pool. They both are getting their doggy-paddles down pretty well! Nathan's little arms go a mile a minute!
I got my site created- it's farrellfamilyof5.blogspot.com
I'll talk to you soon!
Dana
You are too funny! I am disappointed that little Ben didn't enjoy the water, but he will come around. I am a big believer that it has to be there idea and the more you coerce them into it the more they don't want it. That is true with all kids I teach and my own.
My biggest tip is bribery. I bribe my students with starburst and with jumps at the end and it works. Now, it doesn't change the temp of the pool but it does help them have a goal. To get the red starburst before the other kid does. I am home in three weeks. Should we schedule some private time with Benny in the pool... I am totally up for it.
Love and miss you lots... hang in there with work. I know all will go well. Make sure your boss knows and remembers that.
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