Swim Lessons

We enrolled the kids in swim lessons a) so they could learn to swim, obviously and b) it would be a shame for us to live 1/2 mile away from the seemingly endless Pacific ocean with two little people that can't swim. This is a town where people walk around with surfboards, wetsuits, and bare feet. A town where they ride with a surfboard attached to their bike, or have a kayak attached to the roof of their car, or are carrying an oar and a paddleboard to hop on the ocean and stand up paddleboard.

Me stand up paddleboarding right before I fell in

So with some research (a quick 5 minute google search - I refer to google searches as research) I found a place that seemed like a good fit and had classes twice per week for a month. I wanted classes that were held at least two times a week so they would remember things from one session to the next. I also wanted a place that had a heated pool where we could practice on off days. I realize the heated pool comment makes me sound  a little "yuppie" and just to clarify I am not "yuppie". At all. I am more of a "crunchy" wannabe.

This is the description of F's class that I pulled from the center we attend: This interactive class is designed for babies to become comfortable swimming independently in and under the water by working together with their parents in the pool. Babies will learn to be relaxed while floating independently on their backs and swimming with their eyes down for a distance of three to five feet. They will also be introduced to pop-up breathing.

Doesn't that description make you want to join because it would be relaxing to be with your child as they learn to swim? Not this kid. He is like a feral cat. Joe attends the classes with him. I have watched him each time and am always surprised at his lack of fear. I wonder if this is a 2 year old thing, a boy thing, a second kid thing or a Finn thing. In his class he tries to wiggle away from Joe, attempts to swim, launches himself backward so he can do a spin underwater, pours buckets of water on his head, jumps in from the pool deck - he is out of control.

In the initial session the instructor commented to Joe, "I have never seen anything like this in a first class session." During the class the swim instructor tries to work kids up to pouring a bucket of water on their head by having them pour it in the water, then on the back of the head, then on the top of the head. Meanwhile F is taking his bucket and dumping it on his face. She attempts to get the children used to blowing bubbles underwater. Meanwhile, F is completely submerged  three feet under blowing bubbles. He has no intentions of listening to what the instructor says. Ever. He doesn't aim to please anyone. He is only interested in doing what he wants to do. I would argue that his version is probably preparing him to swim more rapidly than his class, but who's to judge?

She told us that she would like to promote him to the next class after hers ends. However, she is afraid that he won't be able to sit on the steps and follow directions from the instructor. The parent is not in the water with the child and they sit on the step to listen and learn before having a turn to practice. I agree. He will not sit on the step. My guess is that he will jump from the step into the water, splash on the step, break the concrete step, dunk another kid in his class, pull his shorts down and pee on the pool deck or anything else you can imagine. He will not sit on the step and listen.

However, Q is enrolled in the "Tadpoles" class.  Q is a lot more calm in her class. She sits on the step patiently and waits her turn. She listens to every word the instructor says and seeks approval. She tries really hard to stay on task. She is learning how to swim and will probably have it down in the next month. She is so proud when the instructor is happy with her. She smiles from ear to ear when she is complimented. And, she has only been threatened with the top step once - when she wouldn't stop sticking her head underwater while the instructor was working with other students.

As you can see we have two little people that couldn't be any more different. It makes things interesting in every aspect. These swim lessons have been more of a lesson for me. They have highlighted the distinct differences between Q & F. I observe these differences in personality on a daily basis but am usually so consumed with taking care of them (and keeping Finn alive) that I don't take the time to let it soak in. At swim lessons I see it all. And, it is funny. And, I am proud. I am proud of my rambunctious baby boy and my adult pleasing little lady.

Lessons for me and for them.