Ford, 5.28.2006. Blanton Museum of Art; Austin.
Ford is so challenging. He was the only kid today with dry hair at the end of swim class; he refuses to bob underwater. Through the glass door I watched him dismiss the coach’s instructions with a wave and an upturned nose. I wanted to step in and dunk him, myself. This is why I’m paying someone else to teach him to swim; separating my feelings from the task is difficult. All I want him to do is try. But the child just doesn’t want to swim yet.
It’s scary learning to swim. My son failed his swimming lessons once because he was too scared to try some of the required tasks. It’ll happen for him, he just might want to take his time…
Ugh. That sounds frustrating, but you’re remaining really calm and composed, which is important. Maybe he really just wants to do it on his terms. Love the picture!
Oh – I thought I had the only kid in Texas that wasn’t a little swim fish. Bea is EXTREMELY hesitant to get in a swimming pool except her little blow up kiddie pool. I remember that I did everything in swimming class except diving. I failed class after class cause I just wouldn’t dive. It took me a long time to work up the nerve. That isn’t to dismiss your notion that he is challenging — just to say, not unprecedented.