Anyone that knows our son knows he is obsessed with the water. We have always said he was our little Nemo. That is, until now.
Last year he even took swimming lessons. By the time he was done he was swimming over the water just fine, could swim to the edge, pull up and get himself out of the water.
What happened? I have no idea.
We tried several times this year to start the pool routine again. We noticed that he was not as into it anymore and in fact, was acting a little scared to go in. Instead, he plays on the entrance steps and does not do anything else. While I like that he respects the water now, I do not like his complete disregard for it. Especially living in Florida!
I was initially excited when the school announced that as part of a drowning prevention program, the county would be sponsoring swimming classes for Kindergarteners for two weeks. I could not believe how great this was going to be! That is until we got to the pool on Monday.
He initially sat down next to the kids in his class, but then got up and left running in full panic mode as far as he could. Nothing I did worked so I just let him sit there while I sulked.
Yesterday was day 2, and it was the same. I tried not forcing him. I even left his clothes on until he requested to go in. He did! I then took off his shirt and shoes when he said "I want swimming" but then he ran away again. We tried enticing him with water, his teacher, and every technique imaginable and nothing.
Thankfully I was able to hide my frustration tears behind my big fashionable sunglasses as he just sat there watching the other kids jump, swim and splash around happily.
Part of me wants to throw him into the pool and make him swim (he knows how). The other part says well if you want to sit there, then sit.
Today is Day #3, and I am NOT looking forward to it. I am dreading it. My husband says he is going tomorrow and that he WILL throw him in.
As an interesting side note, we told him all day yesterday that if he did not swim, there would be no hide and seek (his new favorite game with us) at night. Well, when my husband got home from work he did not even greet him. Instead, he stayed in his room with this eerie quiet and respect. He did NOT request to play hide and seek (that he has been playing for two weeks straight) and when my husband scolded him for not swimming, he just stayed mum. He usually would cry or try to make us forgive him as he always detests when someone is mad at him.
I wonder what goes through his head. What is he feeling? What does he want to tell us to make us understand what has happened? It is incredibly frustrating not to know.
So, I leave you as I get ready for the dreaded swimming lessons. Today I will attempt his favorite water toys and wet his feet with more water.
More updates later. Wish me luck! :)
