Swimming is a struggle and an adventure for Jenna. Before she was 2, she loved the water. However, we didn't get a chance to do much swimming because we were on vicarage or in St. Louis for our last year of seminary. Since we weren't rolling the dough, or much dough at all, belonging to a facility that would allow swimming wasn't an option.
When we got to San Jose, Jenna suddenly became afraid of the water. So much so that she would absolutely FLIP OUT if we tried get her into the water. It was quite disturbing, actually. Screaming and shaking and holding on for dear life. I don't know if that natural fear for her or if something brought it on. There were a few times that we tried to take her in the water and she flipped out. Maybe we scarred her. I have no idea. So for about a year, we just let her do her own thing. We were happy if she put her feet in the water at a pool. She graduated to holding onto the side of the pool, and we thought that was great.
So we enrolled her in swimming lessons at the Y and thought that she just needed a little encouragement from someone other than me or Nate.
16 weeks sitting on the steps of the pool. 16. weeks. Yep. I paid for that. (Actually Grandma helped.)
So I decided to go for the big guns and enroll her in a Swim School. I asked around and did some research and found one that is highly recommended. Jenna's been going to this swim school since September and has been doing so great. But she is definitely taking baby steps, and that makes me a little uncomfortable. I just want her to dive right in (literally and figuratively) and swim like so many other kids her age.
The first day of lessons at the swim school, it took her 20 minutes to be coaxed into the pool. Luckily, this place has the most wonderful teachers who made it comfortable for Jenna and soon she was in with no problem.
She has a male teacher, Derrick, whom she ADORES. Derrick has a class of four four year olds and it is the cutest thing! I'm pretty sure that each little girl has a secret crush on him. They bounce around and giggle the whole time.
We have progressed from sitting on the steps to getting right in the water and playing with the other kids. Now, we are working on putting her head under water. She gets so close each time, but just doesn't do it. She will put her face in, each ear in, and the back of her head--but not the whole thing!
Baby steps. I have to remember that. Each new thing she does is way better than 16 weeks of sitting on the steps.
3 comments:
brianna went for a whole session of lessons at the "y" without putting her head in the water--which astounded me because she is afraid of NOTHING. However, by the following summer, not only was she putting her head in the water, she was going off the diving board, and she would only leave the water when it was adult swim (and we'd be at the pool 3-4 hours) so there's hope! hang in there. susan
I admire you for sticking to your guns and getting her back into swim. Riley isn't the best swimmer, but thanks to having friends with heated pools, she has been able to work on her stroke every now and again. I never learned how to swim. Frankly, I have a fear, too...it all happened in gym class (swim with Ms. Luchian) and Chad Wilson pushing me under the water for the darn ball in water polo. I was scarred...swallowing disgusting pool water...ick. BUT, there is nothing better than kids knowing how to swim. So just let her take her baby steps and who knows, one day, she might surprise you and jump in full-force and swim across that pool. Make sure you have your camera.
Hugs!
If only we were closer we could struggle through soccer and swimming together.
Missing you.
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