We had to take a couple weeks off due to a personal injury I had one week and then a death in our family the next week. I thought it would be best to continue the swim lessons as my children are having such progress and they needed something to keep their mind off from the death in the family.
My daughter was excited to go as always and my son was a little hesitant. When we arrived, we changed our clothing and got into the showers to rinse off before entering in the pool. This time our lesson was at the right side of the center were the lap swimmers were. I was worried because that is the deep end and being a protective mother I was scared for them. I was assured in the thought that it was a private lesson and Leslie is always there with them. She told them to get the Padded Floater Bar (shown below) from the racks that would help them keep afloat while learning to swim.
Before they got into the water, I told my son to make sure he didn’t stay on the ledge and I told my daughter to show her brother how it’s done. As they headed into the pool with Leslie, I headed to the parent viewing section on the 2nd floor.
Once my daughter saw that it was the deeper end, she quickly got scared and hesitant to get in. On the other hand, my son got in without a thought. This shocked me. Leslie spoke to my daughter and was able to comfort her into the pool. Leslie put some swim flippers on my son and told him to grab the floater bar and swim to the middle and back. He did it as if he had done it before.
I was so impressed with him. When they swam back to the side my daughter was sitting on the ledge waiting, they exchanged the feet flippers. My daughter was not as excited as my son. It took her some more words from Leslie to get her on the floater bar and into the water. Once she started you could see the look of ,”Why was I scared?” My son was waiting on the ledge and was cheering her on as she swam. My daughter was totally concentrated and Leslie was right by her side encouraging her. They went midway on the lane and then swam back.
Once Leslie and my daughter got back, my son was so excited to go next. So they alternated back and forth midway on the lane to get them used to being in the deep comfortably. They practicing the proper way to do leg movements and strokes. I was so proud of both of them.
When it was time to get out of the pool, my son asked if he could swim all the way to the other side. Leslie asked me if it was okay and if we had a little extra time as the pool is very long. I was so shocked that my son wanted to do it and of course I said okay. My daughter proceeded to get out of the pool and walk to the other side while I went downstairs to get them. By the time I got down a flight of stairs and my daughter walked to the other side of the pool, my son was done. I was so happy with his progress. But I was more excited as his willingness and comfort level to keep pushing himself (especially since he is only 5).
I spoke to my daughter and wanted to find out her thoughts. She said at first she was scared because she thought that when she got in she would fall to the bottom without floaties. She said but then Leslie told her she would be right there. My daughter also said that she looked around and saw all the lifeguards and other teachers so she felt better. Because my daughter is 2 years older than my son, I forget that she needs reassurance too before her lessons. So I reminded her that I would never let anything happen to her and I would never put her with a teacher I didn’t have confidence would take care of her. She smiled and said she can’t wait until the next lesson so she can do better than her brother. I chuckled as we went to the changing room.
I know that missing a couple lessons made my daughter leary for a little bit at first, but know that overall it was good for her to overcome her own timidness to new experiences. I was over-joyed with my son’s progress. I look forward to seeing how they do next week.
Click on the lessons to see their progress:
We highly recommend the All Star Swimmers of Atlanta for group and private swim lessons for Children and Adults.
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