Last week began a new adventure for Eric and me. Eric started swim class. It is a beginner class for toddlers and pre-schoolers that are not yet used to the water. I get in the water with him, and we follow the instructor’s directions. Eric was really excited about started his swim class. We talked to him about it during the days leading up to it. With each day, he grew more interested and excited about the idea. The day finally came last Monday.
I left work early to get home before the swim class. Eric and I suited up in our swim trunks. Mommy packed a bag for us with a change of clothes and some towels to dry off. We left the house a little later than planned, then I made a wrong turn on the way to the pool. We eventually arrived at the pool, and only 5 minutes late. The class is only 30 minutes long! Eric and I waded into the pool and joined the group already in progress. The instructor came over and handed Eric a toy fish and showed him how to make bubbles with it. Then she showed him how to blow bubbles with her mouth in the water. Eric did not want to try this…yet. After a few minutes, we ventured to the deep end of the pool. The deep end is only 3 feet deep!
The deep end is where Eric had to learn trust. He was very afraid that I might let go of him. He kept a tight grip on me, usually with his arm around my neck. We sang songs and walked around in a circle. Songs like “twinkle twinkle little star” and “row, row, row your boat” among others. Eric’s favorite song is the “pancake song”.
I’m a little pancake on my tummy!
Yummy, yummy, yummy, yummy,
Yummy, yummy, yummy!
I’m a little pancake nice and flat!
Flip me over on my back!
Next, Eric sat on the edge of the pool and practiced jumping into the water with me catching him. “1…2…3…jump!” Over and over and over and over. Eric loved jumping into the water. We finished up the class by going down the slide. The pool has a slide built into the shallow end for the little kids.
We repeated the class on Wednesday evening, and again this week. This has been a very good experience for both Eric and me. Eric eventually was convinced that I would not let go of him or let him fall in the water. Swim class is our time together during the week, when usually we spend time together without Mommy only on the weekends. Getting ready, driving to the pool, swimming, changing into our street clothes in the locker room, and calling Mommy to tell her what fun we had. This became our routine. After the final class tonight, I signed up for the next class, which starts next Monday. I asked Eric before class and after class tonight if he wanted to take more classes. He very clearly said “YES”.