Ahhhh....Spr-Summer. Seems we don't get too much Spring here in the Inland Empire. Just rain and then 80 degrees, rain then 80 degrees. Hence, Spr-summer. And even though actual Summer here means 90-100 degree days, I think I'm really gonna like it this year for two reasons. I'm FINALLY getting the last baby weight to come off (slowly but surely) and the boys are learning to swim.
Now the swimming was a bit of a battle in our house. And I'm not talking about between me and the two shortest members of our family, they've been fine (for the most part). Oh, no, I am talking about our resident Tough Guy, "doesn't get worked up about anything" dude, Daddy.
And to be fair (or really to cover my hiney so he thinks I'm at least, well, being fair), the lessons aren't your typical "hang out in the shallow end and if you feel like it, splash a bit" kind of swim lessons. Nope, these are ISR swim lessons where they learn to actually survive should they fall into any body of water (we have a pool see) until someone can get to them or they can get themselves out of the water. In other words, they really learn some stuff. And they warn you that in the beginning, this learning can be, well, upsetting to the children.
And me, being the kind of person who likes to prepare for the worst, actually disclosed said potential "upsetting" part to my Tough Guy Husband by saying , "Yeah. They could potentially scream bloody murder throughout each and every lesson and beg not to go" (or something like that). Forgetting that my Hubby is NOT the kind of person who likes to prepare for the worst. As a matter of fact, he likes to pretend that the worst CANNOT POSSIBLY happen until the very last second before said "worst" actually transpires. Not to mention that he can't even think straight when someone he loves is crying. Yup, Tough Guy.
SO, given my eloquence in explaining these lessons, John's impression/opinion is that I am voluntarily "TORTURING" our children for no apparent reason. Nice, huh?
See, it's not that he doesn't want the boys to learn how to swim, he just doesn't want them to cry in the process. Or have to do anything they don't want to do. Or cry. Did I mention that he doesn't want them to cry? HA! So much so that the day before the lessons he actually said to me not to tell him about it if the boys did freak out and it was hard for me cuz he wouldn't be any help whatsoever. Poor widdle Papa Bear not wanting the Mean Mama Bear to make his cubs do something scaawy.
To be honest, I wasn't sure how it would be for me to have my sweet little boys get REALLY upset and want to quit or not even get in the water. BUT, I knew that it wouldn't be much different than when I had to teach William how to soothe himself to sleep when he was struggling as a little baby. I would just cry too and make sure they couldn't see. Because I knew this was the right thing to do. For them.
So are you wondering yet how it's going? We are almost done with the first of 6-8 weeks and yes, the boys have cried. Alexander always wants to get in the water as soon as he sees it but then cries "DONE" the whole lesson. Until today. No crying. None. :) William. Ah sweet William. I guess the best way to describe how it is for William is to use the words he said to one of his friends after his very first lesson. "I'm learning how to swim! I cried alot. But when I'm done I'm so PROUD of myself!"
Yup. That's what I want my kids to know from this very young age. Learning and growing can be hard. Upsetting even. But as long as you keep trying things and practicing, you'll be SO PROUD of yourself when you're done.
P.S. Daddy is even coming around. He told William he'd come watch one of his lessons. :) Softie.
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