Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Little Swimmers

The Jokers running this country have gone home to campaign for the week, so things are quieting down around here.

The Dynamic Duo have been in swim lessons for the past six weeks.  Batman is in level 3, and is swimming across the lap lanes with the assistance of a kick board.  Robin is in Mommy and Me.  Next week, they start a four week session and Robin will be in a big kid class without having a parent in the pool (YIPPEE!! HOORAY!!) but I'm wondering how he will do once he realizes mommy isn't getting in there with him.  I'm not expecting miracles in four weeks, but I'm hoping he learns some skills on his own.  Our community pool opens Memorial Day weekend and I want the boys to have some water survival skills.

After lessons are completed, I'm not sure what to do.  I think it might be best (and cheapest/less stressful) just to hang out at our pool and let them practice/play around.  The helicopter parent in me thinks they need more lessons, an organized structure, and measurable deliverables.  The lazy person in me thinks the helicopter parent in me needs to get a grip.

Being from the west coast, I know so many people who are part fish.  Most of them grew up being in/around/near the water year round.  In Virginia, our water access isn't as available throughout the year and very few people have public pools.  Still, I know several kids Batman's age who are already little fishies, jumping off the diving board and swimming around in the deep end.  I am not a strong swimmer and I want my kids to be better than competent, though no pressure to be the next Michael Phelps.

Ok, this is dull and no one besides me cares.

5 comments:

  1. I care! I would love to go hang out at the pool with you and let our children fend for themselves.

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    1. The older three are there, for sure. Mostly. But I get to hold Sleeping Beauty on the deck.

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  2. My children do not DO swim lessons until they can get into the pool by themselves as there is nothing I despise more (well, it's at least in the top 10 of most despised things) than spending 45 minutes every week sitting in a cold and clammy swimsuit in a foot of water making small talk with other equally miserable parents while trying to prevent my squirmy slippery baby from drowning. But it's ok, we'll just only live in landlocked states forever. And vacation to Canada.

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    1. The only reason I get in the pool is that the lessons are at the same time. The only thing worse than getting in the pool is explaining to a toddler/preschooler that he CAN'T get in the pool while his brother is swimming. Oy!

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