Swimming

Vacation is in full swing and we are spending a lot of time at one of our favorite summer destinations--the neighborhood pool.


My kids learn to swim the natural (cheap) way-- put them in the water and let them figure it out. And, while their form may not win them any races, eventually they do well enough to keep me from worrying about their safety. But, after a scare in the deep end early last summer, Bryce refused to go in water any deeper than he could stand up in, and no amount of coaxing, pleading, or peer-pressure could make him change his mind.


So, when a good friend of ours told us that she would be teaching swimming this summer, I was hopeful that maybe some real lessons could help Bryce get over his fear. (Another friend took these fun pictures of Bryce during one of his lessons.)


Bryce had a great time swimming. He was so excited for his lessons that he would put on his swim trunks and goggles as soon as he rolled out of bed in the morning, and spend the next 7 hours asking me if it was time to go to the pool. By the end of the week, Bryce could swim across the pool without stopping, but he was still scared of the deep water and would cling to his teacher's back like a little monkey when she went to the deep end.

But, a few more trips to the pool with Dad--and what do you know? Yesterday, Bryce decided to try out the deep end on his own. After a few minutes of waffling, he was jumping in and swimming like a pro. Good job, Bryce!