Love is . . . getting back in the water for swimming lessons, which start TOMORROW. I have to buy a pair of swimmers today because my last pregnancy destroyed my last pair.
You know what one of my most favourite thing as a parent was? When Riley was able to go into the water on her own. When I got to graduate from hopping in that water to sitting in that dank, humid environment, heavy with the smell of chlorine and the smell of old people and dirty nappies somehow combined – I was so freaking happy.
Now I have the pleasure of somehow containing Piper while we watch Riley in the water and then hoping that Riley can be adequately bribed with food and/or iDevices to sit on the sidelines quietly while I’m in the water with Piper. That doesn’t sound like fun. That sounds like a high stress situation.
There is some light at the end of the tunnel though. Riley used to sleep for four hours after her swimming lesson when she was Piper’s age. I’ll hold on to that carrot, right there. And you know, my children’s happiness. And, I guess, a life skill. Or something. I can say that to myself but all I hear is blah-blah-blah-blah-have-to-get-in-water-blah-blah-blah-damp-blah-blah-blah-old-people-and-dirty-nappy-smell.
I hope they appreciate this supreme act of love on my part. Or at least behave like non-feral children when we are at lessons. I’d accept that. That would be a fair compromise.
I have graduated to the sidelines with my older two who are now in a class together. I love watching them but there is some serious child-wrangling going on as my third sits with me, it won’t be long before I’m back in the pool too. Funny how it’s always so hot by the side of the pool but so cold when you’re in it…
It’s like a freaking sauna in there.
Dex is bribed with a cookie each week to sit and watch
I might be in chuppa chup territory I think
A huge part of why I haven’t yet done swimming lessons with Greenie is because I do not wish to get into the pool with him.We did them with Bluey, and he was swimming independantly at 3. I will just work on Greenie in my parents pool over summer.
Riley was about the same. So I guess I’ve got about a year and a half of swimming. Crap, that’s depressing.
Piper will probably get just as much out of a play/swim with you while Riley is doing her lesson, then a 10 minute swim together at the end. This works marvelously for us. Of course you still have to get in the water, but no additional entertaining required! I would be impossible to keep either of my kids on the sidelines of a pool. Good luck.
Great idea! But Riley would in no way be okay with me not watching her!