After so many years of dilly-dallying, going back and forth on price, time of year, scheduled vacations, etc., after making excuse after excuse, I finally took Samantha to her first swim lesson on Sunday. About a year ago, we'd gone for an evaluation, to give one of the instructors some clue as to her present level (none), and Samantha was very receptive to her, following directions and cooperating. However, the lessons never happened due to our vacation schedule and then subsequent maternity leave of the instructor. But this time, there was far less cooperation.
I brought my bathing suit just in case, prefering to not have to suit-up. And I didn't. Uh, at least not in the first 5 minutes. But when it became clear that Samantha would not move from her perch on the step in the photo above, no matter how nicely she was interacting with the new instructor, I knew I'd have to stuff my out-of-shape body into my wetsuit and brave the chilly water myself. Yep, it was chilly. I almost couldn't blame Samantha, a child who absolutely loves the water herself, regardless of temperature.
Actually, I'm not sure what was going on with her, but once I was in the water it took a lot of coaxing to get her to even come in with me, and at that, she wouldn't let go of her death grip around my neck. She is usually much more at ease in the water, but I guess the fact that she was being instructed and expected to do something, she put the brakes on.
A half an hour went by, with nothing more accomplished than the instructor getting her to blow some bubbles in the water. But you know what? I was super-happy with that! I need to remember that things like this require baby steps, a little bit of leeway for the learning curve that's sure to accompany eventual success. I have to not look at it as a failure on Day 1, but as a single step in the long process required to reach the goal of self-sufficiency in the water.
We'll get there...
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6 comments:
baby steps are good! I'm not sure Sammi is the same in this regard but if that situation happened with Cate, my leaving the room and would have been the most like thing to get her going. Then talking the great reasons to see a fun swim teacher for the whole next week would be my strategy.
My first child started out like this...very fearful of the water. I think I paid for a whole year of private lessons to just get her to put her face in the water. But, once she took off and figured it out it was all good. Sammi will get there too. Some kids just take longer, and it is okay. I never liked it as a kid either so I feel for Sammi...and it took me a while too. Why is the water always so cold too? I have been there and done that with both my girls! :)
Sammi did good for day one! Baby steps are the way to go. I personally hate swimming so I never really learned how, I can doggie paddle, but that's about it. So maybe she will like swimming, maybe she won't...But I think it's awesome you are giving it a try.
The picture of her on the stairs is cute :)
We spent last summer making baby steps. Progress was made and that was what mattered. We were just starting her adventure with epilepsy so everything was hard. I am hoping as soon as the pool warms up we will be in the pool as often as possible. My friend was so excited to be teaching her that it was a win win situation. We also have free lessons for children with disabilities that I might check into. Great post!
I was just looking over the swim lesson schedule for this summer, contemplating if the girls are ready or not....we still haven't decided. Hope she does well!
She's doing great for her 1st lesson. We had Claire start in the summer, she loves the lessons. I tried emailing you but for some reason my computer won't let me from your profile, if you could email me than I'll be able to.
Wendy
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