I was dreading swimming lessons this week. The past three classes have been an exercise in frustration because Sam seems to be incapable of listening to the teacher and wants to do his own thing. So while she’s talking about floating on his back, he’s jumping off the edge. When she wants them to jump off the edge, he’s chasing balls around. And when it’s time to leave he’s screaming “I don’t want to go home! I want to swim some more!”
And the locker room is the most exciting place in the world. Every locker must be closed. Every corner must be explored. Dressing cannot take place.
Yesterday started with more of the same but there was light at the end of the tunnel. Sam “swam” unassisted from me to the edge of the pool. It was just a few feet but he did it! The problem is that while he’s furiously kicking his feet and dog paddling his hands with a big old grin on his face, his entire body is underwater except for the top of his head so it’s not sustainable for any longer than he can hold his breath. But he gets that he can use Sammypower to get from one place to another in the pool. He was very proud of himself. And we were proud of him too.
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4 comments:
that's great! at his age, I think the most important thing is not to be afraid of the water, and it sounds like he's got that down.
Beth is right! I think they all start swimming as you describe, head barely out of the water and so forth! Just the fact that he's doing that is a real breakthrough!
Before we started swimming lessons he had absolutely no fear of the water and that scared the hell out of me. I think he's gained a bit of healthy respect for the water after a couple of his "swims" where he ended up coughing and sputtering. An important lesson for him. I suspect he's less likely to just jump in the water by himself now than he was a month ago.
Yep, I remember him at the pool at the hotel in Jersey this past March. "I swimmin' Mama!" and then a lunge into the water. lol
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