I sat on a little wooden bench this morning, Chas on my lap, beside the swim class. I decided that Ford needed a nudge. He wouldn’t get away with negotiating or opting out of the coach’s instructions. It took preparation, but I was ready for the work.
So we took a jog this morning, both kids in the twinner, and I coached him on the challenges he’d have to face. I told him it would be difficult, but that he would do it anyway. After all, that’s the definition of a challenge. We talked about all the things he could do once he was able to swim: we could kayak on Town Lake, ride in Papi’s pirough in the bay.
Lo! Did it help. Spastically joyful after each effort, Ford squirmed all over the pool steps and shouted silliness. He made me so proud, I think I wore a smile for hours afterwards.
Hooray! Three cheers for Ford! And three cheers for the mommy that made it happen!
yeah ford!! we’re facing similar struggles with emma this summer. We’re living in a place with a swimming pool now, and I just want her to be brave and go for it. But the more I ‘encourage’ the more she wants to do things her way…someday we’ll have a breakthrough like this!
Oh boy, I feel for Ford. My mom made me take swimming lessons one summer and they terrified me. In all honesty, I didn’t even BEGIN to feel comfortable in the water until we moved near a warm, gentle bay in the tropics several years ago and I began going to the beach a lot…I was able to swim in the bay and let that warm water heal those traumatic memories of swimming lessons and just RELAX in the water. So good for him for having the courage to stick it out!
Look at all that wet hair! Good for you!
oh that face! yay ford!!!