For my daughter’s 5th birthday, she came to me and said she wanted a “swim party”. I was very shocked as she didn’t like the water or anything to do with it. Living in Georgia, there aren’t many opportunities for us to go to beaches and public pools seemed un-hygienic. I decided to buy a home above ground pool. The party was a success and kids loved the pool. As I looked through the pictures, I noticed my daughter sat on the stairs of the pool happily playing with her friends while they were in the pool.
Over the last couple years, I have tried to take my daughter and son to beaches and pools. My daughter is 7 now and she is able to walk about pools on the 3ft side but doesn’t swim. My son is now 5 years old and clings to me like my daughter once did. I have tried to ease them and show them how to swim. However, the same reason I do not write prescriptions and I do not fix my own electrical problems, I am not a professional. I needed to get a swim instructor.
After, looking into the YMCA and several swim schools, I decided that group swim classes was not for me. Watching other children sit on the side of the pool while the instructor spends 5 mins with each child in the water didn’t seem like that was a good fit for me or like it was safe. I wanted my children to have individual time with the instructor.
I found All Star Swimmers of Atlanta and after looking at their website and speaking with their instructor, Leslie, I was put at ease. I explained to Leslie that my daughter will do a lot better at instruction then my son who doesn’t even like the idea of getting in the water. We decided they should both be taught at the same time so that my daughter can lead my son and they can learn together.
SWIM LESSON #1:
My daughter was very excited while my son was apprehensive about taking classes. The first lesson was “Water Safety”. As I sat back and watched, I tried to take a couple pictures but it is prohibited for the privacy of others. I managed to sneak a couple. Leslie taught them about different ways to be safe in the water, holding your breath under water and what to do and not do. The part on holding their breath under water made them both uncomfortable. My daughter was fine with moving about the water but my son clung to the side of the pool most of the time. After class, Leslie told me different ways to make them comfortable at home with putting their head under water; one of which was in the bath tub with their goggles. I asked the kids in the car what they thought. My daughter said she loved it and my son said, “It wasn’t bad.” Which for him was great. lol
SWIM LESSON #2:
Both kids this time were excited about going to swim class. I could see that my son was concentrating of what Leslie was telling him. My daughter really tried to focus on moving her legs while holding on to the safety pole. My son this time was better about getting away from the side. Instead, Leslie had them hold the side and kick their legs. My son was fine with that. They all moved to the other side of the pool to get them comfortable with different surroundings. At that point I could not take pictures, but it worked. My son was able to let go of the side and follow instruction. After class, my son came up to me and said, ” I was listening and it worked. I let go.” He was excited to make progress. I was excited for him.
Stay Tuned for more updates on their progress and swim classes by All Star Swimmers of Atlanta.
Check out All Star Swimmers of Atlanta at www.allstarswimmers.net or these links below:
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