With this in mind, I researched our local pools, gyms, and the YMCA for lesson times and prices. Surprisingly for me, the YMCA was NOT the best deal. Instead, a gym down the road had 5 lessons for $50. However, it wasn't only the price as a factor for us, but the time of the lesson. Apparently, Tam's outside the norm in that he eats dinner (with us) around 5:30-6:00 and is in bed 'tween 7:00 / 7:30pm. I found this out because many of the time slots for toddler swim classes were 6 to 7 at night! Yeah, that's a good idea... let's rev 'em up in the pool with the hope that they will fall exhausted into bed too late. Luckily, a Saturday class 'round 9:30 fit our schedule best, and meant that I would be accompanying Tam to class and not Brian. This was okay because Brian is NOT a water person (not enough body fat to float or stay warm).
Class One: Our first class was in late March. My first impression of the gym was positive and everyone there was really friendly and nice. Tam, the flirt, loved running around the women's locker showing everyone his toy truck. Once our swimsuits were donned, we headed into
the pool area. To Tam, I talked up the class, how fun it will be, how the pool is like a big bathtub, etc. Tamlin was nervous, but fine. . . until we got IN the water. Then, HUGE wails and tons of tears emerged from the wee one.
Sigh.
I didn't know to over-comfort him or tell him to buck-up or just let him cry it out. I opted for alternating between all of these. Luckily, our instructor, our young man from a rival college, was sympathetic and encouraging to me as well as Tamlin. The tears didn't shake him the instructor at all; he must have heard it all before.
The entire class is similar to a dog training class. We are to give our little ones verbal cues while showing them what action to do. Then, if any action is attempted by them, we praise them like crazy. Mostly, the babes are learning to kick their feet, scoop their hands, reach for the wall, climb up the wall, jump into the pool from the wall, blow bubbles while submerged, and float.
25 minutes later, Tam's still crying as we emerge from the pool and towel off. He clung to me like a burr the entire time. However, once dry and warm, he was fine.
Class Two: Repeat of Class one. Wails and tears. Still clinging, but not quite as tightly.
Class Three: Ditto of previous weeks . . . but he has begun to "practice" at home. When he's sprawled on the floor, he's kicking his feet when asked. This lets me know that he's listening
at class, but still hating it.
Class Four: Still wailing entire lesson. Not clinging as tightly and he's attempting kicks and scoops. I had pretty much given up on swimming for now and wasn't going to do another set of lessons once this was done.
Class Five & Last class: My sister visits for the weekend and comes to the lesson to watch from the sidelines. I warn her that Tam is the "crier" in the class and she should be prepared for huge wails the entire time.
Then, magically, Tam doesn't cry when we get into the pool. Tam doesn't cry the entire time. He was actually grinning, laughing, participating, and waving at Shelly. Wow. That needs repeating, Wow. Even our instructor was flabbergasted at the surprising turn-around with him. So whether it was showing off for Auntie Shelly, finally being used to the water, practicing at home that gave him confidence, or that something finally "clicked" for him, Tamlin loved the water now. I immediately signed him up for the next round of lessons to hopefully cultivate this new found enjoyment.
Class Six: Mom is visiting and comes to lessons. I am hoping for a repeat of the previous week, but I was prepared for it to have been a fluke. We are pleasantly surprised that he again loved the lesson. He was doing all the activities with a huge smile on his face. Yeah!
Class Seven: Ditto the previous week :-) However, this time another child is the "crier" and I can tell the mom is beginning to falter under the wails. At the end of the lesson, two of us moms reassure her that our kids were exactly the same and that she should stick it out.
Tam's still practicing his kicks and scoops at home. On his own, he's been trying to blow bubbles in the bathtub! I was shocked that he was actively on his own willing putting his mouth to make the motor-boat sounds. Yeah!
I'm so proud of our wee one :-)
