Swimming

Abi has taken swimming lessons for years. The best ones she has had were in Wisconsin, put on by the Red Cross for only $5. 

Unfortunately, at the time I didn't realize that each session was a different one building off of the last one so I only signed her up for one. She got the swimming basics in that one session but then needed to build swimming strength and technique. 

Since then every time I have taken her somewhere I have ended up disappointed as she didn't seem to learn much and sat on the side of a pool for most of the lessons. 

Because of that I really wanted to do private lessons. 

She is very interested in getting into a swimming club or on a team so she needs to learn strokes. 

I heard about O'Neal Aquatics from a friend and we signed up. 

While it is more expensive, the lessons are private. 

Abi has done great there and is making good progress with learning the strokes. 

Maddy is afraid of the water (she doesn't even like laying down in the bathtub!) so most lessons she sits next to me watching. 

But after a few lessons, Maddy decided she wanted to do them too. 

I was so worried as we waited for her turn. 

The reason: O Neal is a good place to learn fast and to get private instructions. 

But they are intense. 

They hold kids under the water and push them under the water. 

As I was watching I was seeing a lot of water swallowing and a few kids puking on the side of the pool into a puke bucket they have sitting there. 

I know I am an anxious mom but I kept looking around at the other parents wondering why I was the only one not stone faced. Is this normal? Do kids normally puke this much? 

There was one girl in particular that I did not want Maddy to get. She freaked me out. 

I knew that if she was the one that called Maddy's name I would have to tell them we wouldn't be doing the lesson because after watching her with another little kid that was scared I was pretty sure that Maddy would never get in the water again if she had her. 

Luckily, she got a very patient teacher. 

She got her to eventually float on her back while holding her. 

But then as she tried to move on, Maddy got really nervous and started crying. 

The hardest thing in the world was when Maddy looked over her shoulder at me with the saddest look on her face and yelled, "Mommy! Save me!"

But instead of forcing her, this teacher motioned me over and asked if I wanted her to push her or not. 

I said, no. Go at her pace. She is a very stubborn little girl and the more you push, the harder she pushes back. 

(I wonder where she gets that from....)

So they played with toys on the stairs and by the end of their time the teacher had her blowing bubbles. 

I quickly took Maddy off the lessons and have decided I will work with her myself. 

I watched some YouTube videos made by an Australian Olympic swimmer with tips on helping kids to learn to swim and their approach is completely different. I think it will be much better for Maddy that way. 

But we continue to go for Abi and she is doing great.