Float Like a Butterfly... Swim Like a Fish.

As some out there are aware of, and often remind me of, my relationship with water was not an immediate friendship. Partially because at just over one-year-old I was thrown into a pool repeatedly in order to evoke the "floating reflex" that babies are supposed to have. No, it was not an attempt at my life - it was SWIMMING LESSONS, or I guess more appropriately floating lessons circa 1979. Now, because I am not one of those amazing (or questionable) people that can remember things from baby-toddlerhood I have no recollection of plummeting toward the H2O, nor my fear of baths in the years proceeding. I do remember crying a bit around the age of 5 or so when needing to go to more swimming lessons (of yes, they kept coming and coming) but, eventually water became my friend and I love it still to this day.  

Now has come the time to pass on the age-old tradition of swimming lessons. I thought I was right on track. I had Morgan around water since birth (well come on, tub baths count), but later came pools, lakes, ocean, rivers, etc. any and every type of water play was had. She was not afraid of any of them (okay okay, the ocean waves took her awhile to tackle) and loves being in the water. And then, came SWIMMING LESSONS. The one little caveat to her fun times in the water has been that she does not want her head under water - no thank you very much, hand her a floaty and she'll be on our way. :-) Well the main premise of the lessons is going under water and so the tradition of a cry

ing little girl entering a swimming class continued.

The first few weeks were HORRIBLE. I even began to have anxiety. The crying started at preschool when we changed into her suit, all the way in the car, through the parking lot, and lastly at the check in desk. She wailed, begging for me to instruct them to not have her "dunk" (this is what she calls the part where they in fact drop them from a seated position into the water ). The purpose of the dunk is to have them turn and find the wall and climb out in the event they should ever fall into a pool, etc. It's a great thing - it just scared the holy heck out of a 4-year-old named Morgan. 

I was contemplating "throwing in the towel", yes I have been known to be an enabler at times, but luckily a conversation with the staff (complete with being on the verge of tears myself) resulted in a slower course of action. Morgan has been in swimming classes now for the last four months and I am happy to report the crying has ceased, swimming skills are building, and she is now dunking and swimming under water. Last night she stayed under for longer than ever before and while there is still a long swimming lane (just seems more appropriate than road) ahead, she is progressing and I am very proud!