Swim Baby Swim

I have been debating whether or not I can bite off swim lessons for Ivey this year. With Olive's hatred for the car, it is a major stressor to make it ANYWHERE, much less make it to a swim lesson five days a week for at least four weeks. It's a major commitment. I was teetering... until I watched old videos of the boys' lessons. There they were, 22 months old and swimming like little pot-bellied fish. I decided that Ivey's ability to swim... and swim well... was more important than my sanity or blood pressure. Like Asa and Addison at her age, she loves the water and has no fear. So, I we started our lessons on Tuesday of this week.

After going through these with the boys, I knew that she would start out hysterical. Much to my surprise, she wasn't as out-of-her-mind upset as I expected. Again, she loves water. On the first day, she cried and called out for me during the first half of the 10 minute lesson, but then she either felt more comfortable or realized that it wasn't going to help. She just did her job. While she was on her back learning to float, she would sign for me. When the lesson was over, she basked in the sun and smiled. I think she was proud of herself. That night, she talked about "Silla" (Melissa) and how she went under the water. She clapped her hands just thinking about it. This was going much better than the boys' first week ever did!

Her comfort and enjoyment grew each day this week. Yes, she starts out puckering up and scared. She does cry when she has to work at her "float". But, she loves the part where she gets to swim to the steps. Yes, it is hard for me to go 25 minutes away with Olive in tow every single day.... but my little Ivey is thriving on this! In my opinion, these lessons are not just about swimming. They teach my children from toddlerhood that they can work really hard at something, even if they hate it and are scared, and then succeed. It teaches them that somethings we have to do even if we don't want to. It teaches that hard work leads to accomplishment. No, these lessons aren't consciously remembered, but I like to think they are back there, shaping their little personalities for the better. Plus, they get to swim like fishes!