When I let her know we were starting swim class again soon she matter-of-factly mentioned a few times (and to a few people) that she 'wasn't very happy' about going to swim class because it was in the big pool and she might drown. !!!!. But I could tell she was talking without real distress and was more remembering how she used to feel. We talked about how safe she was with the teacher, and standing on the little platform, never left in deep water alone, etc. But something told me not to dwell on it too much, that she was going to be fine if I didn't encourage her to focus on it or make it a big deal.
So off we went to class and she got in nervously, then started to get teary and reaching out for me. Oh dear. Her gentle but no-nonsense teacher then took her for her first little lap of swimming around the pool and I heard Lily tell her she was going to drown and the teacher just responded 'Nope, you are not going to drown, not going to happen when you are in the pool with me!'. Well, she came back from that lap grinning and splashing and spent the rest of the lesson happily doing everything she was instructed without a worry in the world. Afterwards she was laughing and telling me she loved her class and that it was so fun and she was excited for next week!!!! Yippeee... I think we can call that progress! I am so thankful she can now enjoy her class without fears or tears.
Just look at that smile!! Eli is saying hello and begging to get into the big pool with her! |
A rewarding splash in the little pool after class |
My cute little water rat! |
Ahhh, the very-much undervalued no-nonsense swimming teacher. High five to both her AND Lily :)
ReplyDeleteAwwww, I remember feeling like I was going to drown! Scary times being small. Theo swam so well last year and totally forgot over winter. Now he won't enter water without copious amount of floaties, haha.
ReplyDeleteI love the noodle photo! Reminds me of my childhood!
Wow... you daughter looks like having real fun in the water... my Lina is whining all swimming lesson long... it´s exhausting... hope she like it one day!
ReplyDeleteThat first image is so perfect! Gorgeous perspective and what a grin!
ReplyDeleteYour experience with Lily last term sounds like my last term with Ammon (quite a while back now) he is still traumatised:/ We actually talked tonight about giving lessons a go again and he was not thrilled with the idea at all... you have given me hope haha.
Awww poor thing. I hope it continues to get better.
ReplyDeleteWell done Lily! I know that she would have had to muster up a lot of strength to get in that pool and start another term of swimming. Hope that Lily's confidence builds and builds as the weeks go on :)
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