Fish Out of Water, Swim Lessons for Kids

Week 1 of our Swim Lessons at Charlotte Aquatics

I’ve been hesitant to put my children in swim classes.  I hesitate before putting my kids in any classes.  It’s an expense, a time commitment, and I’ve been wary about how much my children (ages 1 and almost 4) will retain.  That all changed this past fall.  When my oldest kid nearly drowned.

I knew that before summer pool playdates and days at the lake were the norm, that I needed to get my kids comfortable in water, me comfortable with their abilities (and lack thereof) in water, and expose them to the basics of water safety.  And, I wanted my oldest one to actually begin to pick up the basics of swimming: holding his breath, learning to float, and not being overwhelmingly startled by being under-water.

For these reasons, I made the commitment to take my children to swim classes once a week at Charlotte Aquatics.  For the next 8 weeks, I’ll be writing to you weekly to report our progress, share what we are learning, and encouraging you to do the same with your children.

Last week, we embarked on our first lessons.  Will, my youngest child who is now 13 months old was none to happy about it. With that age group, we were placed in a class of 5 other moms and babies who all get in the water together with an instructor.

My usually happy-go-lucky baby wanted to sleep, and instead I had him in a loud, wet environment with bright lights and new people.  For a one year old, I’m sure it is a shocking environment.  My non-cuddler instantly wanted to snuggle as close to me as possible.  And, because it’s so rare for him to do this, my inclination was to cuddle him right back and wrap him up in me to keep him safe and as protected as possible.

That worked for all of four minutes, before it was our turn to have him go, “1, 2, 3 swim!” Yep, he got a bucket full of water on his head.  Mean Mommy.  We have our next swim class this morning, and I’m hoping that he’ll be a little more engaged in the process and a little less stunned by the pool.

Graham, on the other hand, at almost four years of age, was in a class without parental involvement.  His five other classmates clamored into the pool to begin their instruction.  My kid had to be dragged in kicking and screaming, “Mommy! Mommy!”