Diving In?

From the first time I put Thomas in a swimming pool, I just knew he was going to be a little fish. He had absolutely no fear of water. It was actually kind of scary at times. He loved to splash, loved to run in it, play in it. It was his favorite place to play.

Last year, just after his third birthday, I bought floaties for him to learn how to really swim, certain that we would be using them all summer long. The little booger only wore them one time and screamed the whole time he was in them. The rest of the summer he refused to get in the pool, opting instead to sit on the steps with no more than his ankles under water.

Since we no longer live in an apartment with a pool, and our neighborhood doesn't have one, I opted to join the Family Y for the summer so we could use its pool. I was hesitant after what happened last year with Thomas, but I figured he has to learn at some point.

Monday morning I told Thomas to come upstairs so we could get dressed. At the first sight of his bathing suit he began screaming. I told him that we were just going to play on the splash pad, which still was unacceptable to him. I pulled up a video on my iPad of a splash pad, but he still was not on board with the day's activity. I finally got him ready and somewhat excited about going. 

After dropping James off at the nursery, Thomas and I headed toward the splash pad. Unfortunately, to get to the outdoor splash pad, you have to walk by in the indoor pool. Cue massive freak-out. I had to pick him up, kicking and screaming, and carry him outside.

He eventually calmed down and, well, just see for yourself:

At one point, he even got brave enough to try the water slide. I pointed out to him that when he got to the bottom he would land in the water, but I would catch him if he wanted to do it. "Okay, Momma!" he exclaimed as he headed toward the stairs. 

Enter Debbie-Downer Lifeguard who informed us that he had to pass a swim test and get a bracelet in order to go down the slide. Boo. I explained to Thomas that he would have to learn how to swim if he wanted to go on the slide.

That must have stuck with him because yesterday, this happened:

As parents, we want our kids to learn new things, especially major skills like swimming, reading or learning to drive a car. When we rush those things, it makes life frustrating for us and them. Instead of feeling accomplished when they finally achieve those moments, they feel like they have finally measured up and begin dreading what the next expectation will be.

So for now I will celebrate that he is learning to swim. He has confidence in himself and that will help him with future activities. He is proud of himself and so am I. I should stop expecting him to dive in and be thankful that he is getting in the water at all.

Even if it is one toe at a time.