Week Three of Swim Lessons at Charlotte Aquatics

The Third Time Was Not the Charm 

I was feeling pretty good about myself and my kids after the first two lessons at Charlotte Aquatics. My kids were hesitant on their first day in the water, but both warmed up to it by their second class. So when I took the kids to their third lessons, I expected things to go swimmingly. Pun intended. They did not. 


I knew it was going to be a rough class for Will, my one-year-old. He woke up early and was not in the “mood” to indulge me. After an initial “I’ll entertain her” effort on Will’s part, he broke down and could not be brought back. In the beginner’s toddler class this is, for the most part, a right of passage. 

Our teacher did a heroic job of making me feel less like an awful mom. She gave me separate instructions on how to guide an uncooperative bucking babe. She patiently took Will and held his thrashing body in the back float position. The other moms looked at me with understanding. Yes, it was my turn. I’ve now officially paid my dues. I fully expect to have a great next class.

The teachers graciously accommodated his frustrations and fears for the first half of the class. After fifteen minutes of crying, I went over to Graham. “You pull yourself together. I AM NOT going to take you out of this pool,” I told him. That seemed to do the trick; he begrudgingly and then enthusiastically began to participate. He needed me to be firm, and I was.  Yes, I’m now patting myself on the back.

Three lessons later, I can tell you this. Swim lessons for your children are as important for you as it is for them.  As a parent of babies and toddlers, you need to know the tools to teach your child proper swim and safety techniques. With older children, it’s learning how to encourage them to get the tools they need for a safe confidence (and fear) in the water.

 I know that both of my children will be safer in and near the water this summer because of these classes. Want to learn more about swim lessons at Charlotte Aquatics Center? Click here for more info.  I was given the fabulous opportunity to send my children to these classes in exchange for my feedback and reviews, however as always all opinions are my own.