Poor poor Tot. His life just got much more difficult. Not only is he in speech therapy now, he is also in swim lessons. I know I said I wasn't going to put him in swim lessons until he could talk. He helped me change my mind. A couple of weeks ago we were all in the pool helping Tater with his swimming. Tot decided to 'walk in'. First time Dad caught him. Dad made sure he didn't go under water. Second time Mom caught him. Oops. Mom knows better than to make it seem 'safe' if you just walk in a pool. I let him go under and then made sure he came back up. Not a happy camper. But he didn't just 'walk in' again. And at that point, I called to see if a spot could be found for him as well.
First lesson. Not bad. Only cried when he saw mom. Second lesson. Mom made to go in ‘Florida room’ so Tot couldn’t see her. It has sliding glass doors that are tinted so you can see out but not in. He cried, he stopped crying, he cried, he stopped crying. Actually he did find as long as she kept from about shoulders up out of the water. When ever she made him go further in the water, he cried. He did look around for me once or twice, but she was very good at keeping him distracted. I think water has taken a whole new meaning to him now.
What age did you learn to swim?
I'm recall being told that I cried too, in a very similar situation. I don't remember how old I wa, though.
Posted by: Lasciate at July 14, 2005 08:34 AMLasciate: The next question will be: Did you learn to swim?
Posted by: VW Bug at July 14, 2005 08:48 AMI think it was first grade. Couldn't stand going under the water, I would cry if they made me.
Funny story:
My sister and I took our lessons at the local high school on saturday mornings. I had mentioned that to my hubby and he said he took swimming lessons at the same high school on saturday mornings at the same age. He swears to this day, not joking either, that he remembers me and says he thought I was cute back then too.
I say bullshit everytime. I don't think we even took lessons at the same time.
Posted by: Machelle at July 14, 2005 08:57 AMI think I was 9-10. And stupid as it sounds, I just started swimming. My mom was always around, but the "pool" was an old milk cooler. Not very deep, but just enough to learn how to dog paddle.
Later, we started going to a public pool. I started watching others and copying them. I knew if I had problems, I could always dog paddle.
And I still cry if I go all the way under. :)
Posted by: That 1 Guy at July 14, 2005 09:21 AMHaha, yes I did learn to swim :P But I always fought it tooth and nail. Even when it was required in high school I tried to get an exemption (and failed). It's not that I don't know how to swim, and I am not aquaphobic...I just don't like swimming.
Posted by: Lasciate at July 14, 2005 09:24 AMAbout five, I think. That was a great tip about not letting it seem safe when you just walk in.
Tara would spend most of her swim lessons outside of the pool for not doing as she was told, so we stopped the priviledge *SIGH*
Posted by: Sally at July 14, 2005 10:50 AMLasciate: Yaa. I would rather read a book under a tree than swim. My husband has his PATI license and was a life guard as he grew up. Tater takes after him and Tot after me. But in Florida you really need to learn how to swim and float. ;-)
T1G: I'll be sure to remember that when you come visit. Don't annoy me or I'll push you under the water. ;-)
Sally: Are you sure it was a 'privilege'? Just joking. Hope it gets better as she gets older.
Machelle: Any pictures? Any proof? I think that would be great!
Posted by: VW Bug at July 14, 2005 11:52 AMI was about 5. I loved it, but I never learned to swim well because I never was well enough to take all the lessons, and when I was sick, I couldn't go in a pool.
Posted by: caltechgirl at July 14, 2005 03:05 PMI was 13 before I learned to swim other than dog paddle and that was because we bought the house on the river. My boys (who are all fish, I think) learned when they were little 3, 4, 5 somewhere around there. We were always around water and they were at the YMCA for summer camp while I worked. Now we are learning to scuba dive.
Posted by: Patticakes at July 14, 2005 04:07 PMI should not post before coffee. I'm sure you won't appreciate me saying that it was after ten when I got out of bed this morning!
I should sign Tara up again. She's had a year of school now, and may have a bit more respect for authority.
Hopefully.
Posted by: Sally at July 14, 2005 05:08 PMI was in 6th grade when I took "official" swimming lessons. Before that I can remember swimming in lakes with family. I can't believe our paernts let us do that! Anyway, I can't swim. I can float on my back pretty well, though.
Posted by: Jody Halsted at July 14, 2005 09:12 PMI was 9. My kids were 5, 4, and 3. Each kid learned a year earlier than the next.
I'm just glad to know that I'm not at the top of his 'I frickin' hate her' list anymore!!!
Posted by: Bou at July 15, 2005 05:11 PM