Graduation Day, Our Last Day of Swim Lessons

My how far we’ve come. Eight weeks ago, I had two screamers when it was time for swim class at Charlotte Aquatics. I held a bucking baby who choked on water when he was dunked. Graham had to be carried into the pool by an instructor. He cried for me when he was asked to spider crawl along the rail in the pool. And when he was told to dunk his head on his own? Flat out refusal.

Let’s all ignore my squinty grin.  It was tough to get that kid to face forward!

After eight weeks, Will plays happily in the pool. I’ve learned that he always needs to play with a ball to keep him (very) happy in the water. You can swoosh him under water for several seconds and he pops up slightly dazed, but no longer swallowing mouth-fulls of water. He doesn’t fight being in the water. I can see that someday soon he’s going to love the pool. I credit Charlotte Aquatics with his quick adaptation to the pool and for teaching me the skills to coach him properly. 

Graham is now a bona-fide waterbug. He dives off of the pool’s ledge from a sitting position into the pool. He willingly and excitedly holds his breath under water and puts his face in to blow bubbles. He uses his “long arms” and kicks his feet to propel him in the water and swim… ON HIS OWN. Yep, the classes at Charlotte Aquatics are worth their weight in gold. Or sunscrenn. That stuff is expensive. 


And the icing on the cake??? The teacher looked up at me at the conclusion of his class and said, “I officially give him the Most Improved Award.” Did you hear that y’all?  Most Improved. Officially.  My parenting job is done. Well, for this session at Charlotte Aquatics, at least. We hope to pick back up with the swim classes after the summer. 


Not a believer in swim lessons for tots? Proof is in the puddin’. Or the YouTube video. Here ya go, for your viewing pleasure and my bragging rights:

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.