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The Wonderful World of Swim Lessons Posted By: Rubiegem8280
Posted On: 07/07/2008
Our first day of swimming was about a week ago. Being moderately limited in physical ability myself, my mother decided to come with Haley and myself and to go into the water as my arms for Haley's first lesson. We made it through the changing area with moderate anxiety but still managed. Then came the therapy pool room and the other 15 crying toddlers and babies and their embarrassed and excited parent(s). My daughter took one look at the pool, the people, and me and began the wailing. Not crying, not whimpering- loud, deafening wails of shear terror! The other parents glared, other babies began to cry, my mom attempted to step into the water with my daughter, knowing that she had always LOVED to run into the wake with us at any pool, stream, lake, or ocean we passed. This did not go over well. The shreaking went up an octive at least and she desperately clawed for me at the pools edge. So I took her. I then was required by her to not face the pool, not step near the water, and not allow my mother (who thought maybe if she showed Haley it was ok to get in) outside a 1ft radius. After 20 min of shrill squeals we gave up. The lady at the front desk was warm and very forgiving. She said that with her two grandchildren with Autism, it took weeks and not to give up as they have seen and heard everything!
I decided that we would give it one more try. This time with ear plugs for her to maybe deafen the echo or the kids or something? The minute we reached the changing room, it began. Feeling weak but still determined I forged on and into the pool room. We stood there for 10 minutes before class watching slightly older children get their lesson. She whimpered and clung to me but at least no yelling, right? Our class headed in next and I thought maybe if I just held her tight we could ease in. She shreiked every step closer we got. I think I still have the claw marks on my neck. But she did allow me to step in, eventually sit on the steps in the water, but crawled up me as her feet touched the bathwater temp pool. I let it go and stayed put for about 10 more minutes. After that I went down one more step, more screams like I was torturing her. Another ten minutes and I noticed her fists, toys and all were touching and then playing with the water. Not long after she was nearly jumping out of my arms to get deeper and more free. The lesson went well. She played her own games and her own speed and ignored the teacher and classmates but she SWAM! Kicked her little feet, dunked her head and laughed the whole time! She was all over that little pool! I could barely keep up with her. After the lesson ended we had one more fight. This time about getting out. She refused and I had to carry her to the top step, then let go to drag my own aching body out, just as I would get my feet to the last steps, I would have to turn around and chase her back into water nearly to deep for her to stand.
Well, I think I would prefer that over the beginning. Thank you Bath YMCA, Kelly the teacher, and the lovely grammie at the info desk for the kindness, patience, and grace for which you have dealth with our minor "freak out's." Here is to many more (well ok 4) enjoyable laughter filled lessons!
       
shannonj wrote this reply on 07/07/2008
Is there more? Would love to learn more....

shannonj wrote this reply on 07/08/2008
Thanks for sharing...What a wonderful experience! I too, have memories of swimming lessons with my 2 toddlers at the Bath YMCA...I was always amazed and grateful at how patient and understanding the swimming teachers were to my son especially. Glad that your daughter had a good time--it is so important to learn to swim.

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