Teachable Moments

Swimming lessons is a non-negotiable in our house. We don't put our kids in them for a night out, an extra thing to do or even for the exercise, although that is a bonus. Swimming lessons are simply to gain life saving skills and water safety. Even though they are not growing up by a lake like I did, they still get lots of opportunity in the summer to be in water. Knowing how to swim makes it more enjoyable and less fearful for all of us.

Unfortunately, Julia has had few water scares which has hindered her swimming progression until now. Now her lessons are in the 'big' pool and to watch her fully submerge herself in the water (without goggles or plugging her nose) is huge. So proud.

A few weeks back when we were in Edmonton, we had a teachable moment about the value of swimming lessons (because sometimes they don't want to go). At the hotel, there was a pool with a huge water slide which landed in the deep end. The boys (and the rest of the hockey team) were on it every spare momnet they got. Julia watched, wanting badly to join in the fun. Eventually she got up enough courage to go down as long as her daddy was at the bottom to catch her. fine.

The next day, her daddy wasn't able to go to the pool. A few of us moms took the kids down, but we didn't go in the pool, we sat on the pool deck. Julia wanted so badly to be brave and go down the slide again. I said, "Julia do not go down the slide because I am not jumping in after you with all my clothes on."

She and Jake worked out a plan and if she went down very slow, she could stop at the bottom and walk out, onto the pool deck without entering the pool. This worked for a while until eventually she went so fast that she couldn't stop. And, before I knew it, without a second thought, I was in the pool pulling her up (with all my clothes on).

However uncomfortable, it was a great opportunity to remind them of the value and importance of swimming lessons. I thought the scare would set her back but it hasn't. If anything, it has made her more brave and determined. She is reaching milestones everyweek. I think she is pretty determined to be able to go down the slide all by her self next year.

I'll have my swimsuit on just in case!